Michael Foot: 'A good man fallen among politicians'

Tributes were led by Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who hailed him as "a man of deep principle and passionate idealism" who fought all his life for his beliefs.

Mr Foot died shortly before 7am yesterday at his home in Hampstead, north London. He had been ill for some time and had been receiving 24-hour care.

His death was announced to the House of Commons by Justice Secretary Jack Straw, who told MPs the news would be received "with great sadness not only in my own party but across the country as a whole".

A member of a prominent Liberal family, Mr Foot joined Labour in the 1930s and worked as a journalist for left-wing publications New Statesman and Tribune, before being appointed editor of the London Evening Standard by Lord Beaverbrook in 1942.

He entered parliament in 1945 and went on to become a hero of the left, championing nuclear disarmament and campaigning against British membership of the European Economic Community in the 1975 referendum.

He became Labour leader in 1980, defeating the candidate of the right, Denis Healey, but led the party to its worst election defeat in 60 years in 1983.

Yesterday, he was remembered for his sparkling oratory and political idealism.

Mr Brown said: "Michael Foot was a man of deep principle and passionate idealism and one of the most eloquent speakers Britain has ever heard.

"He was an indomitable figure who always stood up for his beliefs and, whether people agreed with him or not, they admired his character and his steadfastness.

"The respect he earned over a long life of service means that, across our country today, people, no matter their political views, will mourn the passing of a great and compassionate man."

Tony Benn described Mr Foot as a "great credit to the Labour movement" and someone who "electrified" audiences. He said: "I know he did not win the election, but the fact that he became leader and fought the election puts him in the top list of figures in the history of the party."

Scottish Labour leader Iain Gray said: "He was a man of principle, loyalty and towering intellect. He dedicated his life to the Labour movement, as he saw it as the best hope for working men and women of this country."

First Minister Alex Salmond said Mr Foot had been a man of "enormous principle".

"He was a remarkable and dedicated man, held in the highest regard across the political spectrum over a period of many decades," he said.

Conservative leader David Cameron described Mr Foot as a "very intelligent, witty, amusing and thoughtful man".

He went on: "He was a brilliant speaker. I'm obviously not old enough to have been in the House of Commons at the same time, but reading some of his speeches, (they] were incredibly powerful."

Labour Party general secretary Ray Collins hailed Mr Foot as a "tireless campaigner for social justice, whose intelligence, charm and courage will be remembered for years to come".

Perhaps the greatest tribute to him appeared some years ago in the Daily Mirror. It simply said: "He was a good man, fallen among politicians."

Mr Foot became MP for Plymouth Devonport in 1945, before being elected to represent Ebbw Vale and Blaenau Gwent.

He was employment secretary in 1974-76 under Harold Wilson and then became Leader of the Commons under James Callaghan between 1976 and 1979.

His election as leader in 1980 followed Labour's defeat the previous year at the hands of Margaret Thatcher, and his tenure marked one of the most difficult periods in the party's history. Labour was almost torn apart by infighting and the defection of several senior figures to form the Social Democratic Party.

Labour's manifesto for the 1983 election – advocating unilateral nuclear disarmament, abolition of the House of Lords and quitting the EEC – was famously dubbed the "longest suicide note in history".

The party went down to ignominious defeat, with only 27 per cent of the vote.

Mr Foot was also famously derided for wearing what was characterised as a donkey jacket at a Cenotaph remembrance ceremony, although he always insisted it was a smart car coat.

He was succeeded as leader by his protg and fellow Welshman Neil Kinnock, who took on the hard left and sowed the seeds of New Labour.

Related articles:

Martyn McLaughlin: Sharp mind rose reluctantly to top – almost

Chris McLaughlin: An intellectual giant who was the Labour Party's guiding light