Kinnock warns of potential dangers of opposition infighting

By Alex Smith / @alexsmith1982

Ahead of an Opposition Studies Forum event tonight in which Neil Kinnock and Michael Howard will speak, former Labour leader Kinnock has warned the party of the damage that could await it if it loses the election and becomes too introspective or divided.

Kinnock, who has experience on this subject, said:

“Opposition can be hell. But the lessons you learn whilst you’re there are hugely important – if you learn them. One is that real disabling damage can often come from inside. I think that applies to all oppositions, and it certainly applies to governments. You get a bad cut from the other side, it’ll hurt but you can usually deal with it. Self inflicted wounds are the ones that turn septic most quickly, and where gangrene sets in. We had to stop harming ourselves, learn some discipline and get serious before anyone else would take us seriously, and we should never forget that.”