I don't know if you can see it in the picture, but there were only about three strands of wire from the brown lead actually in contact with the plug.
I pushed the lead in further so that all the cable was connecting with the plug, put the cover back on, plugged it in, and with trepidation pressed the power button on the cleaner...
And she roared into life sounding even better than before!
And also, the "Hedlite" was even brighter than before, LEADing (pun intended) me to believe that the brown cable had been loose for a while, creating a lack of power making the light dimmer and the motor not to run as well.
I'm so chuffed that my HOOVER is back in business! 
Oh, and before I go, here is a picture of something amazing - The original 13 Amp "NETTLE" fuse from 1977! I thought it would have been replaced some time down the line, but it seems not. I did think the screws on the plug looked like they'd never been turned before, and that must be why!
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