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Ronald George Hayward | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1917-06-27)27 June 1917 |
| Died | 22 March 1996(1996-03-22) (aged 78) |
Ronald George Hayward,CBE (27 June 1917 – 22 March 1996), was a leading activist in the BritishLabour Party.
Born nearChipping Sodbury inGloucestershire, Hayward served in theRoyal Air Force duringWorld War II.
At the end of the war, Hayward became theLabour Party's secretary and agent inBanbury. In 1949 he moved to Kent, where he began a friendship with local MPArthur Bottomley. The following year, Bottomley ensured his appointment as the party's London assistant regional organiser, and in 1959 he became organiser for the Southern region. He served in this role until 1969, when he became a National Agent.
In 1972, he narrowly defeatedGwyn Morgan to becomeGeneral Secretary of the Labour Party.[1]
As General Secretary, Hayward opposed entry to theCommon Market and supportedunilateral nuclear disarmament. He strongly supported thePresidency of Salvador Allende inChile, and after its overthrow became friends withHortensia Bussi, Allende's former wife. Privately, he was very critical of the Labour Party leadership's lack of response to theChilean Coup.
In the 1980s he opposed theMilitant Tendency, but was reluctant to expel its supporters from the party. He was fiercely opposed to the Gang of Four, who led the split which formed theSocial Democratic Party.[1]
In 1982, Hayward retired from his Labour Party positions.[1]
| Party political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Labour Party National Agent 1969–1972 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | General Secretary of the Labour Party 1972–1982 | Succeeded by |