Death of Jim Callaghan

Lord James Callaghan, described tonight as 'a giant of the labour movement' by Tony Blair, has died aged ninety two. He was British PrimeMinister between April 1976 and May 1979 (when he lost elections to Margaret Thatcher) and knew Malta well having undergone tough negotiations with Dom Mintoff over the British military bases and on the future of Malta-UK relations. He was one of the most influential British politicians of the 20th century and the last Labour Party leader to rise from the ranks of trade unionism. From The Guardian:

The former Labour prime minister Lord Callaghan died today, on the eve of his 93rd birthday, at his home in East Sussex, a family spokeswoman said. His death came 11 days after the death of Audrey, his wife of 67 years. Lord Callaghan was the unique holder of the four major offices of state: prime minister, chancellor, foreign secretary and home secretary, and was also the longest-living prime minister in British history. He became prime minister in 1976, succeeding Harold Wilson. However, his slim majority meant he had to be sustained in office by the contentious Lib-Lab pact. He held the office for only three years and one month.

The Labour party chairman, Ian McCartney, said: "Jim Callaghan was an inspiration to many in the Labour party. He was a role model of someone who came from a modest background to achieve the highest office in the land. "He remained closely connected to the party, and I know from personal contact that he was devastated by the recent death of his wife, Audrey. "He was one of the last remaining links with that inspiring 1945 Labour government, but it will be his role as prime minister and leader of the Labour party in difficult circumstances which we will best remember him for. Our thoughts go out to his family at this time."