Roy Hattersley, the Labour politician, journalist, and writer who served as deputy leader of the Labour party for a decade, has died at the age of 93. Known for his unwavering commitment to principle, Hattersley was a central figure in Labour's internal struggles, from the battles against Militant in the 1980s to his later criticism of Tony Blair and Jeremy Corbyn.
Early Life and Political Beginnings
Born in Sheffield on 28 December 1932, Hattersley was the only child of Enid Hattersley, a prominent local Labour councillor and later lord mayor of Sheffield. His father, Frederick, was an ordained priest who had an unconventional relationship with Enid. Hattersley's early loyalties were to Sheffield Wednesday football club, Yorkshire County Cricket Club, and the Labour party. He studied economics at Hull University after giving up a place to read English at Leeds, and became president of the National Association of Labour Students in 1954.
Parliamentary Career
Elected as MP for Birmingham Sparkbrook in 1964, Hattersley quickly rose through the ranks. He became the youngest minister in Harold Wilson's government in 1967, serving as joint parliamentary secretary at the Ministry of Labour. He later held roles at the Department of Employment and Productivity, the Ministry of Defence, and the Foreign Office. As a pro-European, he supported Edward Heath's bid to join the European Economic Community in 1971, a stance that put him at odds with some in his party.
Deputy Leadership and Later Years
After Labour's defeat in 1979, Hattersley became a key figure in the party's right wing, founding Labour Solidarity to counter Militant influence. He stood for the party leadership in 1983 but lost to Neil Kinnock, becoming deputy leader instead. He served as shadow chancellor and shadow home secretary, and was a vocal advocate for comprehensive education and equality. After Labour's fourth consecutive defeat in 1992, he resigned as deputy leader and left the Commons in 1997, taking a life peerage.
Writing and Journalism
Hattersley was a prolific author, writing over 20 books including memoirs, novels, and biographies of figures such as John Wesley and David Lloyd George. He also wrote columns for The Guardian, the Spectator, and the Daily Mail. His Endpiece column in The Guardian ran until 2005.
Hattersley married Molly Loughran in 1956; they divorced in 2013. He later married his literary agent, Maggie Pearlstine, who survives him. He died on 13 June 2026.
