Remembering Michael Foot (he came to Nottingham, you know!)

Remembering the politician Michael Foot, two main images come to my mind - from when I was a child growing up in Thatcher's Britain.

Of course, we recall his well-publicised appearance at the Cenotaph in a 'donkey jacket' (pictured right) and the disastrous 1983 General Election loss following his publication of what Gerald Kaufman labelled the longest suicide note in history (the 700-page election manifesto).

But we also remember him remaining true to his beliefs and true to his roots, which is something many of his colleagues of today would do well to copy.

His strong principles and commitment to socialist politics may have cost him his one chance to become prime minister, but he probably died with a clear conscience.

He was also a keen football fan and towards the end of his life I was pleased to see him supporting Plymouth Argyle from beneath a swathe of woollies at Nottingham Forest's City Ground.