Tony Banks: A rarity in politics - funny, caring and true to his beliefs

09 Jan 2006

Tony Banks was one of my oldest friends in politics. His media reputation as a “cheeky chappy” with a fund of merry quips scarcely did him justice. He was a clever kind man whose dedication to the Labour movement never faltered. It was his misfortune to enter parliament in 1983 when Labour still had fourteen years in opposition to go. He was also a man of the left in an era when, gradually at first under Neil Kinnock, and at an accelerated pace under Tony Blair, his party swung to the right. Had it not been for those two accidents of timing, he had the intelligence and ability to have enjoyed a long ministerial career. As it was his passion for sport meant he thoroughly deserved his period as Sports Minister.

I first met Tony over twenty five years ago. I was introduced to him by Jeremy Corbyn, then a Haringey councillor, now a Member of Parliament. We were part of the close knit generation that made up the London Left of the early nineteen eighties. Being a member of the London Left in those days kept you busy. If you were not organising to get a left-wing leader of your local borough council you were attending meetings of various support groups for Tony Benn. And across London we were tied together by “Target 82” a (not so secret) campaign to get left wing control of the Greater London Council and install Ken Livingstone as leader. And Tony Banks was at the heart of every campaign, hardworking, enthusiastic but also witty and good natured.

What singled the London Left out from the Labour Party Left nationally was our commitment on racism, sexism and gay rights. Utterly mainstream views now, twenty years ago they were an embarrassment to most non-London left wingers and thoroughly enraged the party leadership. And the press had no hesitation in dubbing us “Loony” But, although Tony eventually made his peace with the New Labour project, but his commitment on issues like race never wavered. One of his dearest wishes was to be succeeded in his West Ham seat by a black woman.

He campaigned against fox-hunting all his life, it was to be his last big political battle, but eventually he saw his cause triumph. An ardent vegetarian his commitment to animal welfare was well-known; the only time he ever spoke sharply to me was on a parliamentary delegation to Botswana when I thoughtlessly squashed an insect with my thumb. Less well-known was his interest in and commitment to the arts. For most of his life he collected paintings, prints and artefacts with a political connection. One of the most important and politically creative periods of his life was the early nineteen eighties when he was Chairman of the GLC Arts and Recreation Committee. He transformed the South Bank opening the concert halls, theatres and art galleries up to ordinary Londoners with festivals, open air performances and new places to eat and drink. And he was a pioneer in funding and encouraging theatre, art, music and film-making which reflected all London’s communities. One of his final roles was as chairman of the House of Commons Arts Committee. He brought his usual enthusiasm and energy to the job. Parliament’s paintings were never better catalogued or displayed.

Professional politicians nowadays can seem characterised by humourlessness, self obsession and complete absence of any principles. Tony was funny, caring and held true to his underlying beliefs to the end. I cannot believe that I will walk into Parliament today and he will not be there.



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