History of the Labour Party (UK) 1983 election, Labour suffered a landslide defeat, winning only 27.6% of the vote and securing just 209 seats. This was their worst performance at a general election since 1918. Labour won only half a million votes more than the SDP-Liberal Alliance, which had attracted the votes of many moderate Labour supporters, although the Alliance only won 23 seats. Michael Foot criticised the Alliance for "siphoning" Labour support and allowing the Tories to win more seats. Michael Foot resigned and was replaced as leader by Neil Kinnock who was elected on 2 October 1983 and progressively moved the party towards the
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