Roy Hattersley, the former deputy leader of the Labour Party, has died at the age of 93. For decades, he was a towering figure in British politics — a cabinet minister under James Callaghan, a loyal deputy to Neil Kinnock, and a prolific writer who never stopped arguing for a more equal Britain. His death has prompted tributes from across the political spectrum, with Keir Starmer calling him “a giant of the Labour movement”. But who was Roy Hattersley, and why does his career still matter?
Hattersley was born in Sheffield and entered Parliament in 1964 as the MP for Birmingham Sparkbrook, a seat he held until his retirement in 1997. He served as a minister in Harold Wilson’s government and later joined Callaghan’s cabinet as secretary of state for prices and consumer protection. After Labour lost the 1979 election, he became a key figure in the party’s internal battles, opposing the leftward shift under Michael Foot. When Neil Kinnock became leader in 1983, Hattersley was elected deputy leader, a position he held for nine years. He was made a life peer as Baron Hattersley of Sparkbrook after leaving the Commons.
“Roy Hattersley, former Labour deputy leader, dies aged 93: his legacy explained”
To understand Hattersley’s significance, you have to look at the state of Labour in the early 1980s. After its devastating 1983 defeat to Margaret Thatcher, the party was deeply divided between a hard-left wing and more moderate social democrats. Hattersley, along with Kinnock, helped steer Labour back towards the centre, embracing multilateral disarmament, the market economy, and the European Union. He had earlier chosen to stay in Labour when several of his allies, including Roy Jenkins, left to form the Social Democratic Party (SDP). His decision was crucial: if he and Denis Healey had also defected, the party might have faced an even bigger electoral disaster in 1983. Hattersley later joked that he had been on the right of the party in the 1970s and 1980s, but without changing a single view, found himself well to the left during the New Labour era.
For UK readers, Hattersley’s career offers a lesson in political conviction and resilience. He was a socialist who believed liberty had to be “made real and secure by collective action and contribution, by accountability, and by equality”, as Kinnock put it. He was also a rare breed in modern politics — a politician who wrote 20 books and countless columns, argued with wit and humour, and was never afraid to disagree with his own party leaders. His legacy is particularly relevant today as Labour grapples with its identity under Keir Starmer, who has also faced internal divisions. Hattersley’s example shows that a politician can hold firm beliefs while remaining a loyal party figure.
Q: What were Roy Hattersley’s main achievements? Hattersley served as deputy leader of the Labour Party from 1983 to 1992, helping to modernise the party after its 1983 defeat. He also held cabinet positions, including secretary of state for prices and consumer protection under James Callaghan, and was a prolific author and columnist.
Q: Why did Roy Hattersley not join the SDP? Hattersley was close to Roy Jenkins, but he chose to stay in Labour when Jenkins formed the Social Democratic Party in 1981. He believed the Labour Party, despite its flaws, was still the best vehicle for achieving a more equal Britain — a decision that helped prevent Labour from splitting further.
Q: What has been the reaction to his death? Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Hattersley “never lost his belief in a more equal Britain”. Neil Kinnock called him “a socialist of deep conviction” and “an incomparable asset to the Labour Party”. Tony Blair described him as “one of the greats of the Labour Party” and noted that even when they disagreed, Hattersley did so with good humour.
Hattersley’s death marks the end of an era for the Labour Party. His funeral will be a private family affair, and a memorial service is expected later this year. In the meantime, his writing and his role in shaping Labour’s post-war identity will continue to be studied by anyone interested in British politics.