Ron Hayward
Encyclopedia
Ronald George Hayward CBE
(27 June 1917–22 March 1996), known as Ron Hayward, was a leading activist in the British Labour Party
.
Born near Chipping Sodbury
in Oxfordshire
, Hayward served in the Royal Air Force
during World War II
. At the end of the war, he became the Labour Party's secretary and agent in Banbury
. In 1949 he moved to Kent, where he began a friendship with local MP Arthur Bottomley
. The following year, Bottomley ensured his appointed as the party's London assistant regional organiser, and in 1959 he became organiser for the Southern region. He served in this role until 1969, when he became National Agent. In 1972, he narrowly defeated Gwyn Morgan
to become General Secretary of the Labour Party
.
As General Secretary, Hayward opposed entry to the Common Market and supported unilateral nuclear disarmament. He strongly supported the Chilean Revolution, and after its overthrow became friends with Hortensia Bussi
, Allende's former wife. Privately, he was very critical of the Labour Party leadership's lack of response to the counter-revolution. In the 1980s he opposed the Militant Tendency
, but was reluctant to expel its supporters from the party. He was fiercely opposed to the Gang of Four, who led the split which formed the Social Democratic Party
.
In 1982, Hayward retired from his Labour Party positions.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(27 June 1917–22 March 1996), known as Ron Hayward, was a leading activist in the British Labour Party
Labour Party (UK)
The Labour Party is a centre-left democratic socialist party in the United Kingdom. It surpassed the Liberal Party in general elections during the early 1920s, forming minority governments under Ramsay MacDonald in 1924 and 1929-1931. The party was in a wartime coalition from 1940 to 1945, after...
.
Born near Chipping Sodbury
Chipping Sodbury
Chipping Sodbury is a market town in the county of South Gloucestershire, south-west England, founded in the 12th century by William Crassus . The villages of Old Sodbury and Little Sodbury are nearby...
in Oxfordshire
Oxfordshire
Oxfordshire is a county in the South East region of England, bordering on Warwickshire and Northamptonshire , Buckinghamshire , Berkshire , Wiltshire and Gloucestershire ....
, Hayward served in the Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. At the end of the war, he became the Labour Party's secretary and agent in Banbury
Banbury (UK Parliament constituency)
Banbury is a constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It is a strongly Conservative seat.The constituency was created January 26, 1554 through the efforts of Henry Stafford and Thomas Denton...
. In 1949 he moved to Kent, where he began a friendship with local MP Arthur Bottomley
Arthur Bottomley
Arthur George Bottomley, Baron Bottomley, OBE, PC was a British Labour politician, Member of Parliament and minister....
. The following year, Bottomley ensured his appointed as the party's London assistant regional organiser, and in 1959 he became organiser for the Southern region. He served in this role until 1969, when he became National Agent. In 1972, he narrowly defeated Gwyn Morgan
Gwyn Morgan
Gwyn Morgan, C.M. is a director of several large corporations in Canada, including EnCana Corporation and SNC-Lavalin. He is also on the board of trustees of the Fraser Institute, a Director for The Manning Centre for Building Democracy and a non-executive Director of HSBC. He is most noted for...
to become General Secretary of the Labour Party
General Secretary of the Labour Party
The General Secretary is the most senior employee of the British Labour Party, and acts as the non-voting secretary to the National Executive Committee...
.
As General Secretary, Hayward opposed entry to the Common Market and supported unilateral nuclear disarmament. He strongly supported the Chilean Revolution, and after its overthrow became friends with Hortensia Bussi
Hortensia Bussi
thumb|Bussi in Brussels in 1984Mercedes Hortensia Bussi Soto de Allende was the widow of Chilean President Salvador Allende. She was married to him from 1940 until he was deposed and assassinated in 1973, serving as First Lady of Chile from 1970 to 1973...
, Allende's former wife. Privately, he was very critical of the Labour Party leadership's lack of response to the counter-revolution. In the 1980s he opposed the Militant Tendency
Militant Tendency
The Militant tendency was an entrist group within the British Labour Party based around the Militant newspaper that was first published in 1964...
, but was reluctant to expel its supporters from the party. He was fiercely opposed to the Gang of Four, who led the split which formed the Social Democratic Party
Social Democratic Party (UK)
The Social Democratic Party was a political party in the United Kingdom that was created on 26 March 1981 and existed until 1988. It was founded by four senior Labour Party 'moderates', dubbed the 'Gang of Four': Roy Jenkins, David Owen, Bill Rodgers and Shirley Williams...
.
In 1982, Hayward retired from his Labour Party positions.