Neil Gordon Kinnock, Baron Kinnock, PC, (born 28 March 1942) is a Welsh politician. He was a Member of Parliament from 1970 to 1995. From 1983 to 1992 he was the Leader of the Opposition and the leader of the Labour Party. In the general election in 1992 he was beaten. After this he gave up his post of leading the Labour Party (and sitting in Parliament). He was a British politician in the European Commission from 1995 until 2004, and is now Chairman of the British Council and President of Cardiff University.
He was introduced to the House of Lords on 31 January 2005. He was created Baron Kinnock, of Bedwellty in the County of Gwent.
Personal life
He is married to Glenys Kinnock. She was Britain's Minister for Africa and the United Nations from 2009 to 2010, and a Labour Member of the European Parliament (MEP) from 1994 to 2009. She was made a life peer in 2009. They became one of the few couples to both hold titles in their own right. The two met while studying at University College, Cardiff. They married on 25 March 1967. In 2008 they moved to Tufnell Park, London, to be closer to their daughter and grandchildren.
They have a son, Stephen and a daughter, Rachel.
Neil Kinnock is a lifelong Cardiff City F.C. fan and regularly attends matches.
Kinnock is an agnostic.
In 2011 Kinnock took part in the BBC Wales programme Coming Home about his Welsh family history. The programme was broadcast on 30 November 2011.
References
1942 births
Living people
European Commissioners
Labour Party (UK) MPs
Members of the British House of Commons for Welsh constituencies
Leaders of the Labour Party (UK) Leaders of the Opposition (United Kingdom) Members of the House of Lords Members of the Privy Council of the United Kingdom UK MPs 1970–1974 UK MPs 1974 UK MPs 1974–1979 UK MPs 1979–1983 UK MPs 1983–1987 UK MPs 1987–1992 UK MPs 1992–1997