---
title: "Humanists UK mourns Lord (Roy) Hattersley (1932–2026)"
date: "2026-06-18T11:19:54+01:00"
modified: "2026-06-18T11:20:20+01:00"
url: "https://humanists.uk/2026/06/18/humanists-uk-mourns-lord-roy-hattersley-1932-2026/"
post_id: 192678
categories: ["News"]
---

# Humanists UK mourns Lord (Roy) Hattersley (1932–2026)

![](https://i0.wp.com/humanists.uk/wp-content/uploads/Humanists-UK-mourns-Lord-Roy-Hattersley-1932%E2%80%932026-2.jpg?resize=1050%2C550&ssl=1)Humanists UK is saddened to learn of the death of the veteran Labour politician, author, and journalist Lord (Roy) Hattersley, who has died at the age of 93.

A lifelong socialist and a staunch defender of secular values, Lord Hattersley was a member of the All-Party Parliamentary Humanist Group (APPHG) and a longtime member and former patron of Humanists UK.

Born in Sheffield in 1932, Hattersley first entered Parliament in 1964 as the MP for Birmingham Sparkbrook and held the seat through eight general elections across a 33-year Commons career. He held multiple ministerial positions in the 1960s and 1970s, under Labour prime ministers Harold Wilson and James Callaghan. In opposition, Hattersley was Deputy Leader of the Labour Party under Neil Kinnock from 1983 to 1992.

Hattersley published over 20 books including historical biographies and political columns published in the likes of the *Spectator*, the *Guardian*, and the *Daily Mail*. He was also a contributor to the *New Statesman*.

His speeches and writings frequently touched upon the mechanics of belief and morality, describing religion as a ‘belief in the unbelievable’ despite being fascinated with it. In the introduction to his 2017 *The Catholics: The Church and Its People in Britain and Ireland, from the Reformation to the Present Day*, he said:

> ‘… the decision to write *The Catholics* was neither inspired nor promoted by the Church of Rome. Had the commission come from the Vatican or one of its constituent hierarchies, it is unlikely that the chosen author would have been the atheist son of a defrocked priest’.

In 2007, he joined fellow humanists, academics, and writers in signing a [declaration](https://humanists.uk/2007/03/22/news-139/) calling for a secular Europe.

### **Andrew Copson, Chief Executive of Humanists UK, commented:**

> ‘Roy carried his humanist convictions with deep intellectual honesty and absolute clarity, which didn’t stop him from disagreeing robustly with fellow humanists. He never wavered in his belief that a fair, good, and moral society is built not on religious privilege, but on tolerance, equal rights, and our shared humanity. His sharp mind and his principles, and his challenging voice will be greatly missed.’

#### Notes

For further comment or information, media should contact Humanists UK Head of Press and Campaign Communications Nathan Stilwell at <press@humanists.uk> or phone 0203 675 0959 (media only).

Humanists UK is the national charity working on behalf of non-religious people. Powered by over 150,000 members and supporters, we advance free thinking and promote humanism to create a tolerant society where rational thinking and kindness prevail. We provide ceremonies, pastoral care, education, and support services benefitting over a million people every year and our campaigns advance humanist thinking on ethical issues, human rights, and equal treatment for all.