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
1963 Labour Party (UK) leadership election by the continuing candidates. This process, known as the exhaustive ballot, was repeated until a candidate was elected. Three candidates were nominated. An overall majority was required for election. The results of the ballots of Labour MPs were as follows: As a result of the first ballot, Callaghan was eliminated. The remaining two candidates would face each other in a second ballot, seven days later. 1963 Labour Party (UK) leadership election The 1963 Labour Party leadership election was held following the death of Hugh Gaitskell, party leader since 1955. He died on 18 January 1963 and was succeeded (on a