John Smith: Life and Soul of the Party

About this book

John Smith died in May 1994, less that two years into his leadership of the Labour Party. In this biography, some of those people closest to Smith express their feelings about the man. His widow, Elizabeth, writes about how his life in politics and devotion to the Labour Party shaped their family life, and about the faith that enabled her husband to keep up the fight when times were troubled. By drawing together some of his writings and speeches, Smith's close friend and political colleague, Gordon Brown, examines the passions and purposes of the man. This book also contains an assessment of John Smith as a politician and leader by journalist and broadcaster James Naughtie, who knew Smith well, having watched him since his time as Devolution Minister in the 1970s. He puts Smith's life in perspective, examining his background and the political times in which he moved.