Neil Kinnock is a British politician who served as Prime Minister (1994 - 1996). He previously served as Education Secretary (1982 - 1983), Defence Secretary (1983 - 1990) and Foreign Secretary (1990 - 1994). Kinnock was regarded as the leader of the soft left of the Labour party during the Healey government, and was regarded as a frontrunner to succeed Healey as leader. In 1994 Smith died, in another close leadership election Kinnock was elected as his successor.