In an extract from his new book, Ed Gillett argues that although Tony Blair hosted Noel Gallagher at Downing Street, it wasn’t Britpop that swept New Labour to power; it was the escapism of rave culture
It’s late in the evening on election night 1997, shortly after the enormity of the result has become clear; former Labour leader Neil Kinnock, under whom the party had begun its “long trek back towards electability”, is flanked by senior MPs Robin Cook and John Prescott.
Behind them, filling the cavernous space of the Royal Festival Hall, a joyous throng of Labour staff, volunteers and party members are singing, smiling and swigging from cans, all soundtracked by a thumping 4/4 beat. Kinnock, Cook and Prescott are making a game but a mesmerically awful attempt to join the fun.
