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Norman Atkinson obituary Norman Atkinson obituary
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As a trade unionist and then a Labour MP, Norman Atkinson, who has died aged 90, displayed the unusual degree of decency, integrity and brave candour typical of the most talented figures to come from a working-class background. He was quite devoid of the dubious, if effective, quality of "ratlike cunning" once ascribed to successful journalists and all too familiar in the higher reaches of party politics. His most prominent post was that of party treasurer (1976-81).As a trade unionist and then a Labour MP, Norman Atkinson, who has died aged 90, displayed the unusual degree of decency, integrity and brave candour typical of the most talented figures to come from a working-class background. He was quite devoid of the dubious, if effective, quality of "ratlike cunning" once ascribed to successful journalists and all too familiar in the higher reaches of party politics. His most prominent post was that of party treasurer (1976-81).
Atkinson's straightforward lack of guile led to friction with some Labour leaders, notably in 1976 with Denis Healey as chancellor over economic policy. Atkinson argued that Healey had become too much of a prisoner of International Monetary Fund policy in making the public spending cuts that came as a condition of an IMF loan. Yet his criticism, which consistently based itself on a cry for more radical socialist policies, never reflected badly on his credibility, as was the case with some other leftwingers. It was in this role, as chairman of the Tribune group of Bevanite backbench MPs, that he made his mark in parliament.Atkinson's straightforward lack of guile led to friction with some Labour leaders, notably in 1976 with Denis Healey as chancellor over economic policy. Atkinson argued that Healey had become too much of a prisoner of International Monetary Fund policy in making the public spending cuts that came as a condition of an IMF loan. Yet his criticism, which consistently based itself on a cry for more radical socialist policies, never reflected badly on his credibility, as was the case with some other leftwingers. It was in this role, as chairman of the Tribune group of Bevanite backbench MPs, that he made his mark in parliament.
So there was a great paradox in his becoming involved in one of the most unjust and controversial developments in Labour internal politics during the 1980s, when the party was riven with disputes between left and right – especially the leftwing assault on the leadership in which Tony Benn played a key role. In 1985, following boundary changes, Atkinson was deselected as the future candidate for his safe constituency of Tottenham, north London, and so was unable to fight the 1987 general election, even though his overall majority had regularly been more than 9,000 since he was first elected in 1964.So there was a great paradox in his becoming involved in one of the most unjust and controversial developments in Labour internal politics during the 1980s, when the party was riven with disputes between left and right – especially the leftwing assault on the leadership in which Tony Benn played a key role. In 1985, following boundary changes, Atkinson was deselected as the future candidate for his safe constituency of Tottenham, north London, and so was unable to fight the 1987 general election, even though his overall majority had regularly been more than 9,000 since he was first elected in 1964.
His successor after the third ballot in a ruthless campaign was the Guyana-born leader of Haringey council, Bernie Grant. Atkinson said of his outlook at the time: "I am a socialist. I want to see the complete transformation of society and I have dedicated my life to that end." As soon as he was displaced by Grant, while admitting his disappointment, he pledged to support him in the general election campaign.His successor after the third ballot in a ruthless campaign was the Guyana-born leader of Haringey council, Bernie Grant. Atkinson said of his outlook at the time: "I am a socialist. I want to see the complete transformation of society and I have dedicated my life to that end." As soon as he was displaced by Grant, while admitting his disappointment, he pledged to support him in the general election campaign.
Atkinson was born on a council estate in Manchester. His bus driver father died when Norman was five. We frequently shared reminiscences about the social changes since our childhood in an area where I, too, had grown up. He never lost touch with that experience.Atkinson was born on a council estate in Manchester. His bus driver father died when Norman was five. We frequently shared reminiscences about the social changes since our childhood in an area where I, too, had grown up. He never lost touch with that experience.
After attending primary and technical schools, at the age of 15 he became an apprentice toolmaker draughtsman at the electrical engineering firm of Metropolitan-Vickers. He was active in the Amalgamated Engineering Union, whose eventual president, Hugh Scanlon, became a close friend; elected a Manchester city councillor (1945-49); and appointed chief design engineer at Manchester University (1957-64). Later he served on the governing body of Imperial College London (1975-89). Before Tottenham, he stood for Wythenshawe (1955) and Altrincham and Sale (1959).After attending primary and technical schools, at the age of 15 he became an apprentice toolmaker draughtsman at the electrical engineering firm of Metropolitan-Vickers. He was active in the Amalgamated Engineering Union, whose eventual president, Hugh Scanlon, became a close friend; elected a Manchester city councillor (1945-49); and appointed chief design engineer at Manchester University (1957-64). Later he served on the governing body of Imperial College London (1975-89). Before Tottenham, he stood for Wythenshawe (1955) and Altrincham and Sale (1959).
After succeeding Harold Wilson as prime minister in 1976, James Callaghan offered Atkinson a government post, but he turned it down, feeling more at ease on the backbenches. Having established himself as a major figure there, he stood for election as treasurer – it was an influential post, especially in collecting trade union financial support, and the only seat on the national executive for which every Labour member had a vote. Atkinson oversaw the fundraising necessary for the party headquarters to move from Westminster to its Walworth Road offices in Southwark.After succeeding Harold Wilson as prime minister in 1976, James Callaghan offered Atkinson a government post, but he turned it down, feeling more at ease on the backbenches. Having established himself as a major figure there, he stood for election as treasurer – it was an influential post, especially in collecting trade union financial support, and the only seat on the national executive for which every Labour member had a vote. Atkinson oversaw the fundraising necessary for the party headquarters to move from Westminster to its Walworth Road offices in Southwark.
His great interests outside politics were sport and art – where he might well have made a career – and researching industrial history. This bore fruit in his book on the great Victorian mechanical engineer Sir Joseph Whitworth, whom he dubbed "the world's best mechanician".His great interests outside politics were sport and art – where he might well have made a career – and researching industrial history. This bore fruit in his book on the great Victorian mechanical engineer Sir Joseph Whitworth, whom he dubbed "the world's best mechanician".
Atkinson is survived by his wife, Irene Parry, whom he married in 1948.Atkinson is survived by his wife, Irene Parry, whom he married in 1948.
• Norman Atkinson, politician, born 25 March 1923; died 8 July 2013• Norman Atkinson, politician, born 25 March 1923; died 8 July 2013
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