Day 763

Up about 8.30, soon heard that John Smith had had a heart attack. Then at 9.50 I heard he had died. What a pity. Would've been the next Prime Minister. All channels jammed with tributes. I was impressed by the speeches in the Commons, Margaret Beckett particularly. People are saying Gaitskell. The next leader could grab a 'white heat'-type idea and do a Wilson '64. Tony Blair? Gordon Brown? Or will M.B. prove herself as Acting leader? (No-one seems to be mentioning her).

Let us mourn a fine man this day. John Smith 1938-1994.

Warm, cloudy, calm, humid, heavy rain in the morning.