Kinnock: I regret being Labour leader

Neil Kinnock revealed for the first time today that he regretted becoming leader of the Labour Party.

The former MP, 63, who is tipped for a political comeback when he enters the Lords next month, told a magazine that he took on the job of leader only "because it had to be done".

The new Lord Kinnock of Bedwellty, who recently left his post as a European Commissioner to become chairman of the British Council, took over the party in 1983 at the height of Labour's bitter infighting.

He made way for John Smith in 1992 after fighting two unsuccessful general election campaigns, but was credited with doing the groundwork that ultimately made the party electable.

Mr Kinnock told the New Statesman today that he wished he had conducted his early political career differently.

He turned down an offer of a job as junior industry minister under prime minister James Callaghan.

He said he should have accepted the offer not only because it would have given him invaluable government experience, but also because "if I had I probably wouldn't have been leader of the Labour Party".

When asked if he regretted being leader, Mr Kinnock replied: "Sure. I only did it because it had to be done.

"That sounds a bit pious, but it's not.

"It had to be done."