The political landscape of Westminster is often characterised by towering ambition and relentless self-promotion, but Colin Pickthall, the former Labour MP for Lancashire West who has died aged 81, stood out as a refreshing exception. His most defining trait was an unwavering loyalty to the Labour Party, which he joined as a teenager, coupled with a notable absence of personal ambition. This rare combination made him a trusted figure among senior frontbench colleagues and earned him deep respect from fellow Labour backbenchers.
A Man of Quiet Principle in a World of Noise
Despite his innate modesty, Pickthall was a politician of unshakeable conviction. A former schoolteacher, he demonstrated this in 2003 by opposing a government plan to introduce variable top-up student fees, which would have allowed elite universities to charge higher amounts. He famously wrote at the time, "Even contemplating voting against a Labour government makes my knees knock," highlighting the internal conflict between party loyalty and personal principle. This episode underscored his commitment to educational fairness, rooted in his professional background.
From CND to Iraq: A Conscience in Parliament
Pickthall's principles extended beyond education. Having joined the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament as a university student in 1963, his political conscience was shaped early. In 2004, when announcing his intention to stand down from Parliament, he revealed the profound difficulty of his decision to vote in favour of the Iraq war the previous year. He openly criticised the "wrong intelligence" presented to the House of Commons, showcasing his willingness to reflect critically on his actions, even when they aligned with his party's stance.
Championing Animal Rights and Local Issues
As a patron of Humanists UK, Pickthall campaigned vigorously for animal welfare. He took on supporters of hare coursing before it was banned by the Hunting Act of 2004, introducing an unsuccessful private member's bill in 1993 to ban what he termed the "last spectator blood sport." This issue held particular significance in his constituency, which had hosted the prestigious Waterloo Cup coursing event since 1836 at Altcar, near Southport. His maiden speech in 1992 paid homage to previous Labour MPs for the area, including Harold Wilson and Robert Kilroy-Silk, while focusing pragmatically on local economic and housing concerns.
Invaluable Service as a Parliamentary Aide
Elected in 1992, Pickthall served on the select committee on agriculture until Labour took office in 1997. He then became parliamentary private secretary to Alun Michael in the Home Office, later moving with Jack Straw as his PPS, first as home secretary and then as foreign secretary after 2001. Known for his straightforwardness, Pickthall had the courage to "sock it" to Straw in private if he believed his minister was mistaken. His lack of pomposity and keen understanding of backbench sentiment made him an invaluable aide, a role he maintained until leaving Parliament in 2005.
A Life Rooted in Community and Education
Born in Dalton-in-Furness, Cumbria, to a shipyard fitter and his wife, Pickthall's journey took him from Ulverston Grammar School to studying English literature and history at the University of Wales, Bangor. He later earned a master's degree from the University of Lancaster, exploring socialism's influence on 20th-century poetry. His career included teaching at Ruffwood Comprehensive School and serving as a senior lecturer at Edge Hill College, where he became head of European studies. After Westminster, he returned to the Lake District, engaging in local politics and environmental projects as a fell walker and historian.
Colin Pickthall is survived by his wife, Judy, and their two daughters, Alisoun and Jenny. His legacy is one of principled service, reminding us that in politics, loyalty and humility can coexist with steadfast conviction.
