Kinnock was born in March 1942, the son of Gordon Kinnock, labourer, and Mary Kinnock (née Howells), nurse. He was educated at University College, Cardiff, 1963-7, and married Glenys Elizabeth Parry in 1967.

Kinnock was a Tutor Organiser in Industrial and Trade Union Studies, Workers' Educational Association, 1966-70; Member, Welsh Hospital Board, 1969-71. He served as Labour MP for Bedwellty, 1970-83 (later Islwyn), 1983-95. He was appointed Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Secretary of State for Employment, 1974-75, and Chief Opposition spokesman on Education, 1979-83.

Kinnock was Leader of the Labour Party, while Labour was in Opposition, from 1983 to 1992, and fought two unsuccessful General Election campaigns in 1987 and 1992 as Party Leader. He was also a member of the Labour Party's National Executive Committee, 1978-94 (Chairman, 1987-88) and the Parliamentary Committee of the Parliamentary Labour Party, 1979-92. Following his resignation as Leader after the loss of the 1992 General Election, he became Chairman of Labour's International Committee, 1993-94. He was elected to the European Commission in 1995, first as Commissioner for Transport and Trans-European Networks, then served as Vice-President for Administrative Reform, 1999-2004. He later became chairman of the British Council from 2004-09. He was made a life peer in 2005.

His publications include "Making Our Way", 1986, and "Thorns and Roses", 1992.