Conservative Party (UK) in the Falklands War in June that year, along with the recovering British economy, saw the Conservatives returning quickly to the top of the opinion polls and winning the 1983 general election with a landslide majority, due to a split opposition vote. Thatcher now faced, arguably, her most serious rival yet after the 1983 general election, when Michael Foot resigned as Leader of the Labour Party and was succeeded by Neil Kinnock. With a new leader at the helm, Labour were clearly determined to defeat the Conservatives at the next election and for virtually the entirety of Thatcher's second ministry
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