Roy Hattersley, a prominent Labour politician known for his role in modernizing the party and his later career as an author and columnist, was a significant figure in British politics for decades. Hattersley was involved in several key policy debates and decisions during his extensive parliamentary career.
In the late 1960s, while serving in government, Barbara Castle attempted to reform the power of trade unions. Her proposals, outlined in the White Paper "In Place of Strife," included a requirement for a ballot before strike action could be taken. These plans faced significant opposition and ultimately collapsed after a difficult cabinet discussion, leading to Hattersley's move to the Ministry of Defence.
During his time at the Ministry of Defence, Hattersley was responsible for signing the order that deployed British troops to Northern Ireland in 1969. He also oversaw the disbandment of the controversial reserve police force, the B Specials, and their replacement with the Ulster Defence Regiment.
After the 1970 general election, which saw Labour out of power, Hattersley spent most of the subsequent 27 years in opposition. During this period, he served as the shadow spokesman on foreign affairs and became a strong proponent of the Common Market. He was one of 69 Labour MPs who voted in favor of Britain's entry into the European Economic Community (EEC), a stance that aligned him with the Conservative government on the issue and contributed to deep divisions within the Labour Party for many years.
Hattersley, often characterized as an able Labour politician who sometimes found himself at odds with his party's prevailing views, later transitioned to a successful career in writing, becoming a respected author and columnist.