John Smith (Labour Party leader) offer of the office of Solicitor General for Scotland, not wishing his political career to become sidelined as a law officer. In October, he was made an Under-Secretary of State at the Department of Energy. In December 1975, he was made a Minister of State. Smith supported James Callaghan in the Labour Party leadership election after Wilson resigned in April 1976. When Callaghan became Prime Minister, Smith became a Minister of State at the Privy Council Office, serving with Labour's Deputy leader, Michael Foot, the Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons. In this position,
1980 Labour Party (UK) leadership election to stand by left-wingers who believed that only he could defeat Healey. In the event, Foot won by a margin of 10 votes in the final ballot of MPs. The result of the first ballot of Labour MPs on 4 November was as follows: In the second ballot, held six days later, there was a run-off between Healey and Foot. This was the last leadership election to be conducted amongst Members of Parliament only, an electoral college was introduced for future contests. 1980 Labour Party (UK) leadership election The 1980 Labour Party leadership election was held following the resignation of