Peerage, achievements, books and death Roy Jenkins

jenkins grave

in december 1997, appointed chair of government-appointed independent commission on voting system, became known jenkins commission , consider alternative voting systems uk. jenkins commission reported in favour of new uniquely british mixed-member proportional system called alternative vote top-up or limited ams in october 1998, although no action taken on recommendation.

jenkins wrote 19 books, including biography of gladstone (1995), won 1995 whitbread award biography, , much-acclaimed biography of winston churchill (2001). official biographer, andrew adonis, baron adonis, have finished churchill biography had jenkins not survived heart surgery underwent towards end of writing. popular historian paul johnson called best one-volume biography on subject.

jenkins underwent heart surgery in november 2000, , postponed 80th birthday celebrations, having celebratory party on 7 march 2001. died on 5 january 2003, aged 82, after suffering heart attack @ home @ east hendred, in oxfordshire. last words, wife, were, 2 eggs, please, lightly poached . @ time of death jenkins apparently starting work on biography of president franklin d. roosevelt.

jenkins seen many key influence on new labour , labour party marketed after election of tony blair (who served prime minister winning first of 3 successive general elections in 1997) in 1994, when party abandoned many of long-established policies including nationalisation, nuclear disarmament , unconditional support trade unions. regarded other labour statesmen including tony benn, criticised others including denis healey, condemned sdp split disaster labour party prolonged time in opposition , allowed tories have unbroken run of 18 years in government.

his alma-mater, cardiff university honoured memory of roy jenkins naming 1 of halls of residence roy jenkins hall.