A Different Result...

Labour Party
Leadership Election
'76
1. Roy Jenkins - 103 votes

2. Michael Foot - 90 votes

3. James Callaghan - 84 votes

4. Tony Benn - 37 votes



Callaghan withdraws and urges his voters to support Jenkins so that Foot may not win. Benn does the same, his voters willingly will transfer to Foot.


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Callaghan withdraws from the leadership contest to endorse Jenkins.


1. Roy Jenkins - 187 votes - 59%

2. Michael Foot - 127 votes - 41%




Jenkins Elected Leader!

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Will Replace Harold Wilson in No. 10!



 
Although Labour left members screamed bitterly at Jenkins' election, in particular many blamed Callaghan for his overt endorsement after dropping out of the race. Jenkins wanted very much to shuffle the government to his liking. In particular, he had been agitated at several members who had distanced themselves from him over Europe. Particularly Roy Hattersley, who had once been an admirer. Hattersley had voted for Callaghan on the first ballot and then Jenkins on the second.

Another potential enemy who was a former friend was Anthony Crosland, with whom he would argue bitterly with.


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Anthony Crosland


Jenkins was keen to shuffle in people who were supporters. People such as Edmund Dell, David Owen and Bill Rodgers. Dell, a former member of the Communist Party, had actually joined Jenkins in his revolt over Europe. Dell was also a capitalist, something that many Labour members, including many Labour rightists, were not. Still, his own views on fiscal policy mirrored Jenkins'.

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Edmund Dell

Rodgers was a friend who was very desirous of becoming Chancellor of the Exchequer. Jenkins did not seriously consider Rodgers for the post when there were more public figures vying for the post. Rodgers came from a working class background with deep roots in Labour. He was also a right-winger who regarded left-wingers as little more than fascists determined to wreck the party.

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Bill Rodgers

Owen, the Health Secretary and a medical doctor, regarded as hyper-competent, was someone who worked tirelessly at whatever job given him, still could at best be described as prickly and at worst as childishly arrogant. Owen had a keen interest in foreign affairs and defense and Jenkins leaned towards making him Defense Secretary.

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David Owen
 
Forgive the quickness of the previous post, but I'm about to step out for awhile. I'll be developing more soon!
 
So in this TL Dennis Healey and Anthony Crosland didn't stand for the Labour leadership, and Roy Jenkins got their votes. In OTL the result of the first ballot was:
Michael Foot - 90 votes
James Callaghan - 84 votes
Roy Jenkins - 56 votes
Tony Benn - 37 votes
Dennis Healey - 30 votes
Anthony Crosland - 17 votes.

I look forward to seeing who Roy Jenkins chooses for his cabinet and how this TL develops.
 
So in this TL Dennis Healey and Anthony Crosland didn't stand for the Labour leadership, and Roy Jenkins got their votes. In OTL the result of the first ballot was:
Michael Foot - 90 votes
James Callaghan - 84 votes
Roy Jenkins - 56 votes
Tony Benn - 37 votes
Dennis Healey - 30 votes
Anthony Crosland - 17 votes.

I look forward to seeing who Roy Jenkins chooses for his cabinet and how this TL develops.

That's correct. A bit simplistic, I realize, but it was just easier math for me. I'll be developing this timeline more a bit later.
 
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The First Jenkins Ministry

Prime Minister: Roy Jenkins
Lord Chancellor: Lord Elwyn-Jones
Leader of the House of Commons: Edward Short
Leader of the House of Lords: Lord Peart
Chancellor of the Exchequer: Edmund Dell
Foreign Secretary: Denis Healey
Home Secretary: James Callaghan
Defense Secretary: David Owen
Education&Science Secretary: Shirley Williams
Employment Secretary: Michael Foot
Energy Secretary: Roy Hattersley
Environment Secretary: Peter Shore
Transport Minister: Stan Orme
Health Minister: Dickson Mabon
Social Services Secretary: Roy Mason
Secretary of Industry: John Smith
Minister of Trade: Bill Rodgers
Minister for Scotland: Bruce Millan
Minister for Wales: John Morris
Minister for N. Ireland: Merlyn Rees

 
Thatcher



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Margaret Thatcher had only been leader of the Conservative Party for around-about a year. Her predecessor, Edward Heath had enjoyed a cordial relationship with Jenkins, she did not. In fact relations with many of her front and backbenchers were less than cordial. Her brand of Conservatism and her sharp personality had such an effect that many moderates were completely alienated. Luckily for her, William Whitelaw, the veteran deputy leader kept a moderating influence over her and others in the party. Still, Thatcher had much trouble initially maintaining order in a party that was not fully behind the ideas of Thatcherism.


THE LIBERAL LEADERSHIP?

With Jeremy Thorpe's legal troubles, Jo Grimond, his predecessor as Liberal leader, took over as the caretaker until a new leader could be chosen. Primary candidates included David Steel, Eric Lubbock (standing for leadership for the second time) and John Pardoe. No outright candidate emerged as a frontrunner and of the few Liberal MPs, a 3 way contest was simply considered too tight. Steel was considered the outright leader, though Lubbock was also quite popular. Pardoe was a less likely candidate, but he did have the backing of the prominent backbencher David Penhaligon.

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Steel


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Lubbock


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Pardoe (standing)



 
I just want to say right now, I've butterflied away Eric Lubbock's loss at Orpington in 1970. This is mostly for narrative purposes and the fact that I want to use him down the line.
 
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