1979 and John Smith Memes

I owe Mars Hill two memes. I fear that my answers for neither will be very good. The first one is the 1979 Meme. 

How old were you?

It is impolite to ask a dunadan his age so I am not telling you. More interestingly, as I write this, Berry the Cat has just jumped onto the headrest of my bed in search of cat biscuits. Alas for him he will not get any as I have run out and, today, lost my wallet so will not be buying anything before tomorrow.

What are your personal political memories, if you have any?

As far as age is concerned, I will say that I was very young, thus, I'm afraid I don't really remember the political situation in '79 at all. 

Political Views Held?

I'm sure I liked the Queen. I know this because my school had a Silver Jubilee party in 1977 and I took part in it!

Where did you live?

If the Shire is Oxford then where I am is around the South Downs.

School/College/Workplace?

Depends what time of the year it was. Properly speaking I was at junior school but that summer had a little accident, which meant that I spent the next three months in hospital and at home.

Favourite TV Programmes?

None that I now recall.

Favourite Band/Music/etc..?

I don't think I was really interested in music then. My first single purchase was still two or three years away. Although, now that I think about it, I think we had Father Abraham and the Smurfs by then!

And now the John Smith Meme.

Where were you when you heard John Smith had died?

In 1994 I was at university, although by (12th) May I was probably back home. I know that I was in Avignon with the family when Robin Cook died.

How did you view John Smith when he was leader and how do you view him now?

I was never fond of Neil Kinnock. But that was more to do with buying into the media portrayal of him than my own assessment. I'm afraid I can't remember what I thought of John Smith. Perhaps a bit dull and a no doubt worthy man. What do I think of him now? If I am being honest, not much because I don't really know him.

Do you think he would have made a good Prime Minister?

Perhaps he would have been. He would have sacked Gordon Brown ages ago and stopped him from mucking up the economy.

What do you think is his lasting legacy?

Ooh, I am really the wrong person to ask this. I just don't know. I suppose the New Labour project must owe its further development (taking Kinnock as its starting point) to him.