Humanists UK is saddened to learn of the death of journalist, political adviser, and Labour peer Lord David Lipsey, aged 77. Lord Lipsey was a committed member of the All-Party Parliamentary Humanist Group (APPHG).
A dedicated humanist, Lord Lipsey championed reason and evidence-based thinking in public life. He chaired Make Votes Count (1999-2008) and the Campaign for Straight Statistics (2009-2012), reflecting his commitment to democratic reform and clear, accurate information. He believed strongly in applying a rational, non-ideological approach to policy-making, striving for what he saw as the best thing to do above all else. In 2021, he signed a joint letter to the Secretary of State for Justice calling for a review of England and Wales’s assisted dying laws.
Born in Stroud in 1948, David Lipsey won a scholarship to read Philosophy, Politics, and Economics at Magdalen College, Oxford before becoming one of the first ‘chocolate soldiers’ (political advisers funded by the Joseph Rowntree Trust). In the early 70s, he joined the team of Anthony Crosland, then Shadow Environment Secretary, becoming his trusted speechwriter and spokesperson, both in opposition and in government. Following Crosland’s death in 1977, Lipsey joined Prime Minister James Callaghan’s Downing Street team.
After Labour’s 1979 election loss, Lipsey embarked on a successful career in political journalism. He served as industrial correspondent for New Society, then moved to the Sunday Times as political staff and later economics editor. He returned to New Society as editor and chief executive, and was a joint deputy editor at the Sunday Correspondent. He also held positions as associate editor and acting deputy editor at the Times, before spending seven years at the Economist, where he was political editor and wrote the acclaimed Bagehot column, winning an Orwell Prize in 1997.
In 1999, David Lipsey was appointed to the House of Lords. As a ‘jobbing peer’, he was remarkably active, holding numerous professional and unpaid roles. His interests in the Lords spanned culture, media, sport, parliament, government, politics, health, medicine, and social services. He served on public inquiries into the long-term care of elderly people, the voting system, and the future funding of the BBC. A prolific essayist and author, his books included The Secret Treasury (2000), In the Corridors of Power (2012), and Counter Coup (2014).
Commenting on his death, Humanists UK Chief Executive Andrew Copson said:
‘David was a dedicated public servant and an intellectual force, whose commitment to rational and evidence-based policy making was exemplary. His contributions across journalism and public life were immense, and his humanist values shone through in all his endeavours. We are deeply grateful for his support and mourn his loss.’
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For further comment or information, media should contact Humanists UK Director of Public Affairs and Policy Richy Thompson at press@humanists.uk or phone 020 7324 3072 or 07534 248 596.
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