Labour: The Wilderness Years | Complete Series | 1995 BBC Documentary

A four-part documentary following the history of the Labour Party from 1979 to 1995 when it was on the cusp of a return to power.

Beginning with its bitter fallout and ‘betrayal’ in Government, the documentary features a wide cast – Michael Foot, Dennis Healey, Shirley Williams, Tony Benn, Peter Shore, Neil Kinnock, Jon Lansman, Jeremy Corbyn, Peter Mandelson, Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, Robyn Cook, David Blunkett, John Prescott and many more.

OO:OO - Cast into the Wilderness
Out of power and riven with strife, this programme tells the inside story of the Labour Party's bitter civil war with leading players speaking with devastating frankness about the time from 1979-81.

57:14 - Comrades of War
In the early 80's Michael Foot was leader of a divided Labour Party. The 1981 deputy leadership battle between Denis Healey and Tony Benn split party loyalties and Labour sank to its lowest popularity ever.

01:57:02 - Enter the Rose
Senior Labour politicians explore the Labour Party's long years in opposition. In 1983 after a humiliating defeat by Margaret Thatcher, Labour elected Neil Kinnock as its new leader in the hope that he can modernise the party.

02:55:01 - The Pursuit of Power
Key political figures from the Labour Party tell the story of the struggle to modernise the party, culminating in the rise to power of Tony Blair and the arrival of a new breed of Labour politician.