My debt to the man in the donkey jacket (From Bournemouth Echo)

My debt to the man in the donkey jacket

7:00pm Wednesday 3rd March 2010 in

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I have always had a bit of a soft spot for Michael Foot, who passed away on Wednesday, March 3, at the age of 96.

His ultimately fruitless time as leader of the Labour Party coincided almost exactly with my student days at the most politically active university in the country at that time.

I was at Sussex University from 1980-83 and got myself into a whole load of trouble during three years of relentess and controversial political activity. I even managed to make the front page of the Daily Telegraph on one occasion and questions to the Home Secretary in the House of Commons on another.

At one point, I was nearly thrown out, but managed to hang on and graduate with a very tidy 2:1.

Mr Foot’s leadership (and policy agenda) was one of the reasons I spent so much time playing (as well as studying) politics, though in the manner of a boy poking a dog with a stick.

So without doubt I have this distinguished Parliamentarian and man of great and passionate principle to thank, in part, for helping to kickstart a lifelong interest in the subject. Looking back at the Daily Echo cuttings from the time, it’s amusing to note that Mr Foot told a meeting in Bournemouth in May 1983 that “victory is well within our grasp”.The election was held in June.

Remind me again how it turned out?