Reply #18: But he also played a big part in tearing Labour apart in the 80s

[cheeseit]

I agree he deserves credit for guiding through some important socially liberal legislation as home secretary, but imo he was totally seduced by the elite circles his position gave him access too, and became so puffed up and arrogant that at that point in Labour's history he could never have united the party behind him. Actually I think his leadership would have been very similar to Blair's, except with far less willingness on the part of back-benchers to grin and bear it. Although if he had become PM he would have had less time to write, so every cloud has a silver lining.;)