Roy Hattersley, former Labour deputy leader, dies at 93
Roy Hattersley, a prominent figure in the Labour Party and its deputy leader for nine years, has passed away at the age of 93, reports BritPanorama.
Hattersley, who was known for his sharp political acumen, also became a subject of public satire. During his time on the television show *Have I Got News For You*, he was famously substituted with a tub of lard after he withdrew from the show at short notice. The satirical series *Spitting Image* similarly depicted him as a caricature, emphasizing his physicality and speaking style.
Despite enduring this humour, Hattersley played a significant role in reshaping the Labour Party, contributing to its revival in the 1990s, which eventually saw Tony Blair take office as Prime Minister. Born in Sheffield in 1932, Hattersley’s early life was marked by an unconventional family background; his father was a Roman Catholic priest whose wedding to Hattersley’s mother ended shortly after their marriage, prompting a notable shift in the family’s dynamics.
After renouncing his faith, Hattersley entered local politics early, joining the Labour Party and campaigning for candidates from a young age. He found electoral success when he was elected as a councillor in Sheffield at 25, later transitioning to national politics with his election as MP for Birmingham Sparkbrook in 1964. He served as a junior minister and later under Harold Wilson in various capacities, including as Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection.
Following Labour’s defeat in 1970, Hattersley opposed trade union power constraints and became a staunch supporter of Britain’s entry into the Common Market. He maintained a significant role within the party, which included shadow ministerial appointments and involvement in critical issues such as the deployment of troops to Northern Ireland during The Troubles.
Hattersley’s leadership ambitions faced challenges; after Labour’s poor performance in the 1983 elections, he sought the leadership position but ultimately lost to Neil Kinnock. However, his loyalty to the party was unwavering, and he served alongside Kinnock as deputy leader, navigating Labour through a period of internal conflict and electoral setbacks.
Despite the trials facing the party, Hattersley’s tenure saw successful initiatives such as the expulsion of the hard-line Militant Tendency and a concerted effort to revitalise Labour’s public image. Following Kinnock’s resignation, he supported John Smith in the leadership election, continuing his work to foster party unity amidst evolving political landscapes.
In 1997, Hattersley was made a life peer after announcing his intention to retire from politics. His later years included criticism of Blair’s New Labour, highlighting his enduring commitment to the principles of the Labour Party he once championed. Beyond his political career, he authored several books and contributed to literature as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature.
Hattersley is remembered for his devotion to the Labour Party and his substantial contributions to British politics throughout his life. He is survived by his second wife, Maggie, after a lengthy marriage to his first wife, Molly, which ended in divorce in 2013.
As political landscapes evolve, Hattersley’s legacy reflects the nuanced complexities and challenges faced by political leaders striving for party coherence in an era of dramatic social change.
