Tony Blair’s tribute to Roy Hattersley

Roy Hattersley was one of the greats of the Labour Party for decades and was my first boss as an opposition spokesman back in the 1980s when he taught me and encouraged me with kindness and support. He was Labour through and through remaining devoted to the party throughout its many turbulent years. He was also great fun to be with, endlessly creative and amusing and even when we disagreed which we did quite frequently when I was Labour leader, he did so with good humour and the best of intentions. He was what is a rare breed nowadays in politics. A politician who loved ideas and was not at all constrained by political life being at the same time a brilliant writer and critic. We will miss him.