New Labour, New Life for Britain

[1] The 1997 general election produced the biggest Labour majority, in seat terms, in the history of the party's existence.

The Conservatives left government after about eighteen years, following victories in 1979, 1983, 1987, and 1992; the first three under the leadership of Margaret Thatcher and the last under John Major.

In 1997, they suffered their worst defeat since 1906, losing 178 seats, including the unseating of seven Conservative Cabinet Ministers and the loss of all their representation in Wales and Scotland.

In 2010, with Blair having retired as prime minister, in which capacity Gordon Brown succeeded him, Labour became the official opposition with 258 seats, having fallen to 29% in the popular vote.

His successor, Ed Miliband, completely abandoned the New Labour branding in 2010 after being elected, moving the party's political stance slightly to the left.