Latest news with #DavidLipsey
The Guardian
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Letter: Lord Lipsey obituary
Among his multiple accomplishments and achievements, the commitment of David Lipsey to classical music education stood out. Unlike too many politicians, who merely talk the talk about the arts, David walked the walk. He was chair of governors at Trinity Laban Conservatoire, 2012-17, leading its transformation into Britain's first university level college of both music and dance, and establishing Trinity Laban as the inclusive and innovative creative institution it is today. He often spoke up for the arts, and for music education in particular, in the House of Lords, where he chaired the all-party classical music group. He also put his money where his mouth was, supporting young pianists and other artists with generous endowments.
The Guardian
06-07-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Lord Lipsey obituary
David Lipsey, who has died aged 77, was a significant and influential Labour party adviser, a political journalist and then a member of the House of Lords for 25 years. Early in his professional life he recognised that despite a passionate interest in politics and public affairs, he had no wish to become an MP. He was thus that rare creature who wanted to improve the lives of others without being necessarily bothered about advancing his own career. He became nevertheless one of the best connected Labour figures of his generation, and gravitated from being a speechwriter in Whitehall and Downing Street – where he wrote the party's manifesto for the 1979 general election – to a hugely successful career in old Fleet Street, before then being appointed to the Lords, as one of 'Tony's cronies', by Blair in 1999. Like his first mentor, the former foreign secretary, Anthony Crosland, he was a radical egalitarian, and always tried to put what he believed to be the best thing to do above any ideological consideration. He was clever, clear thinking, serious-minded and the most enormous fun. His centrist political stance was constant throughout his life: he once observed, somewhat dolefully, that he was at one time regarded in Labour circles as a proto-fascist for his rightwing views and then was subsequently held to be 'a dangerous lefty', yet without ever having changed his mind on much. As a 'jobbing peer' – his phrase – he was remorselessly busy and at one point calculated that he had a total of 22 different professional and unpaid posts. His many friends teased him about not having enough fingers for the pies with which he was involved. As a young government policy wonk he had set about ensuring that more Labour names were added to the civil service list of the so-called 'great and the good', people who were awarded exactly the sort of public appointments with which his own later years would be garlanded. In the Lords he listed his interests as including culture, media, sport, parliament, government, politics, health, medicine and social services. He served on three public inquiries: on the long term care of elderly people (1997-99), on the voting system (1997-98) and on the future funding of the BBC (1999). His minority report on social care would later bear a striking resemblance to the findings of Andrew Dilnot's review in 2011, accepted by the then government but never implemented. He regarded his work on voting reform as 'the greatest failure among a number of failures in my political life', blaming the decision to retain the current 'indefensible' system after the 2011 alternative vote referendum – resulting from the inquiry – on the ineptitude of the then deputy prime minister, Nick Clegg. As well as being a prolific essayist, he published a number of books including The Secret Treasury (2000), on how the British economy is run; In the Corridors of Power (2012), a highly entertaining memoir; and Counter Coup (2014), a Dick Francis pastiche on horse racing. He also jointly owned and raced horses and greyhounds, played a deceptively excellent game of golf and for four years in his 60s drove a sulky, the lightweight cart used in harness-racing in Wales, triumphantly winning on seven occasions. He was introduced to horse racing at Cheltenham by his godmother (who was less successful with her appointed spiritual task) and fell for it when Bolshoi emerged from fog to gallop home at 20-1. When he arrived in Westminster in 1972 – a 'callow, gauche, thin, neurotic geek of 24' as he described himself – he was among the first 'chocolate soldiers', political advisers then financed by the Joseph Rowntree Trust, who were the trailblazers for today's professional political class. With a first in philosophy, politics and economics from Magdalen College, Oxford, to which he had won a scholarship, and with two years' experience in the research department of the General and Municipal Workers Union (now the General, Municipal and Boilermakers), he was appointed to work for Crosland, then shadow environment secretary and one of the leading Labour intellectuals of his day. He became Crosland's eyes and ears, as well as his speechwriter and spokesman, in opposition and in government from 1974, winning the exceptional status of being trusted by the civil service and the media as well as by his minister, with whom he was wholly in accord. He ran Crosland's unsuccessful campaign for the Labour leadership on Harold Wilson's resignation in 1976, and when his candidate came bottom in the poll sought distraction at Wimbledon greyhound stadium, acquiring his subsequent lifetime's devotion to both the dogs and the sport. He accompanied Crosland to the Foreign Office, and on his unexpected death in 1977 joined James Callaghan's Downing Street team. He regarded this as an honour, if less of a pleasure than his previous post, since 'Uncle Jim' Callaghan had what Lipsey called an ambiguous relationship with academic intelligence, which others saw as a tendency to bully. He was known affectionately as 'the Man from Uncle'. In the aftermath of Labour's loss of the 1979 election, Lipsey became industrial correspondent of New Society, before joining the Sunday Times in 1980, first on the political staff and then as economics editor. He returned to New Society as editor and chief executive in 1988, seeking unsuccessfully to save the magazine's independence before it merged with the New Statesman. He then helped found the Sunday Correspondent, of which he was one of the joint deputy editors during its brief life from 1988 to 1990, winning plaudits for the clout, contacts and classy staff he brought to the new publication. From 1990 to 1992 he was associate editor and acting deputy editor of the Times, a post he found difficult because of a clash of temperament with the then editor, Simon Jenkins, but thereafter he thought he had 'died and gone to heaven' during seven years on the Economist. As the political editor for four years from 1994 he wrote the Bagehot column, for which he won an Orwell prize in 1997; until joining the Lords he was public policy editor. Lipsey was a visiting professor at the universities of Ulster (1993-98), and Salford (2008-12), a visiting fellow at London School of Economics (2002-04) and at Harvard (2011). Among a wide range of other financial, media, artistic and sporting organisations reflecting his many interests, he was on the council of the Advertising Standards Authority (1999-2005), chaired Make Votes Count (1999-2008), the Social Market Foundation (2001-10), the British Greyhound Racing Board (2004-08) and the Campaign for Straight Statistics (2009–12). Born in Stroud, David was the elder of two sons of Penelope (nee Rawson) and Lawrence Lipsey. His father was a Canadian non-practising Jew who came to the UK to join the forces in the second world war, fought at Monte Cassino, and settled in Gloucestershire, having met his future wife. He made a comfortable living from a business recycling kapok stuffing and later manufacturing furniture, and David went to Wycliffe preparatory school before becoming a boarder at Bryanston school. His parents were thoughtful and interested in politics, and introduced their sons to the subject by taking them both to Labour and Conservative party meetings in the 1959 election. The family were escorted from the hall at the Conservative meeting when Lipsey senior heckled the candidate about the cost of the controversial Blue Streak ballistic missile project. David subsequently stood for Labour in the 1964 and 1966 elections at school and joined the party aged 17. He was head boy at Bryanston and before going to Oxford spent a year teaching English as a second language in Bradford. He went to the city as a party member and left as a fully fledged socialist. Lipsey founded a newspaper, the Federalist, while at school and in a curious coincidence interviewed Crosland, then education secretary and committed to abolishing public schools. Asked if his policy extended to prep schools, the minister replied that it did, and his young interviewer reported him as responding that they were 'stinking breeding grounds of sodomy'. Years later Lipsey, the political adviser, would come across a Crosland speech and realise that he had misheard the last word; it should have been 'snobbery'. He married his second wife, Margaret (formerly Robson, nee Fazakerley), whom he met through Streatham Labour party, of which he was the secretary from 1970 to 1972, in 1982; he was married previously to Elizabeth, his girlfriend from Gloucestershire and at Oxford. He is survived by Margaret, their daughter, Becky, and two stepsons. David Lawrence Lipsey, Lord Lipsey, journalist, political adviser and parliamentarian, born 21 April 1948; died 1 July 2025
Powys County Times
05-07-2025
- Politics
- Powys County Times
Tributes to Lord David Lipsey, whose 'heart was in Powys'
LORD David Lispey will be remembered as being a gifted Labour Party politician, a Member of the House of Lords and a friend of 10 Downing Street. But in Powys his legacy will also have him down as an animal lover. The 77-year-old adored harness racing and greyhound racing and had a passion for getting dogs rehomed rather than put down at the end of their careers. A journalist who wrote for publications including the Sunday Times, Sunday Correspondent, The Times, The Guardian and The Economist, he also championed the arts and was a staunch defender of the River Wye, near his Powys home, in which he died this week. I was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Lord David Lipsey—a former colleague, good friend and a truly remarkable man. He was widely respected, greatly admired and will be sorely missed. My sincere condolences go to his family and friends at this difficult time. — Eluned Morgan (@PrifWeinidog) July 3, 2025 James Gibson-Watt, a member of Powys County Council's (PCC) cabinet and former leader, who represents the Glasbury ward, said: 'Lord David Lipsey was very well-respected in the local area, across Wales and the UK and of course at Westminster. 'He was always very courteous and kind to everyone, always very interesting to talk to and a very good supporter of local events and causes." Lord Lipsey was a long-time campaigner for water quality in the River Wye and his last spoken contribution in the House of Lords was on the subject. In October 2024, in a speech delivered during the second reading of the Water Special Measures Bill aimed at improving water quality in the UK, he told the Lords: 'Something like 80 per cent of the pollution in the Wye is caused by chicken s**t.' Lord Lipsey had lived in the Wye Valley with his wife Margaret for the last 30 years and would swim in the river at Glasbury 'most mornings in summer, some mornings in winter'. Straight-talking Lord Lipsey identifies main culprit for pollution in River Wye @UKHouseofLords — Nick Lester (@nickolester) October 9, 2024 'We still do this, but it is a deteriorating experience,' he said. 'Part of the river near us was closed this summer to wild swimmers such as us, on the grounds of pollution. 'It is not the Wye that we moved next to 30 years ago. This beautiful river is being turned into a sewage dump.' He chaired the British Greyhound Racing Board, now the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB), from 2004-08. GBGB CEO Mark Bird said: 'He was a fantastic champion for greyhound racing and did a great deal to raise welfare standards across the sport – particularly around the homing of retired greyhounds. 'As a resilient friend to the greyhound racing community, he will be sorely missed and our thoughts are with his family at this time.' William Powell, chair of PCC and county councillor for nearby Talgarth, knew Lord Lipsey well and said: 'I am devastated to hear this news. 'David was a great advocate for Talgarth and the Black Mountains, for Gwernyfed High School, Black Mountains College and Glasbury Arts, alongside many other good causes. 'Just this past weekend, he presented the awards at the Grow for Talgarth 'Big Gardening Weekend' and he and Lady Margaret always supported Talgarth Festival of the Black Mountains and Talgarth and District Regeneration Group, with their presence. 'David and Margaret made their home here over many decades and are much loved. We will not see David's like again.' Lucy Trench, chair of the Sidney Nolan Trust in Presteigne, said Lord Lipsey served as chair between 2013-18, was a former trustee and was still listed as the arts charity's president upon his death. Straight-talking Lord Lipsey identifies main culprit for pollution in River Wye @UKHouseofLords — Nick Lester (@nickolester) October 9, 2024 'The trust is the legacy of the celebrated Australian artist Sir Sidney Nolan and David had a deep love of music and other arts,' she said. 'He was decisive and insightful, brusque but never arrogant, full of affection and wit; someone who bypassed formalities to get straight to the nub of a matter. 'All who met him, from small children to his many acquaintances in the racing world, were struck by his warm and unconventional personality. 'As a peer he naturally spent much time in London, but his heart was in the Wye Valley and the Brecon Beacons, where he worked equally hard to support local activities, including the Glasbury Arts Festival. 'At the Sidney Nolan Trust, as in the many other areas of his wide and varied life, David will be greatly missed as a colleague and friend.'
The Independent
03-07-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Labour peer died while swimming in River Wye, police say
Labour peer Lord David Lipsey has been found dead after swimming in the River Wye, police have said. Officers were called to the River Wye in Glasbury on Monday following concerns about the safety of a man who was last seen swimming in the river. Dyfed Powys Police have now confirmed the body of Lord Lipsey was pulled from the river on Tuesday following a multi-agency search. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer led tributes from the Labour Party, saying the peer 'worked tirelessly for what he believed in' and will be 'sorely missed' by all who knew him. Lord Lipsey, 77, who previously worked as a journalist and Downing Street adviser under then prime minister Jim Callaghan, entered the Lords in 1999. He is also credited with coining the phrases 'New Labour' and 'winter of discontent'. A police spokesperson said: 'Dyfed-Powys Police received a report concerning the safety of a man who was last seen swimming in the River Wye, Glasbury. 'Following a multi-agency search on July 1, sadly, we can confirm the body of Lord David Lipsey was recovered. 'His next of kin have been informed and our thoughts are with them at this difficult time. 'They have asked for their privacy to be respected.' Paying tribute, Sir Keir said: 'David was loved and respected by so many. 'Whether it was his early years as a researcher and adviser, or his quarter of a century in the House of Lords, he worked tirelessly for what he believed in. 'He will be sorely missed by all who were fortunate to know him, in Parliament and beyond. 'My thoughts are with his wife, Margaret, and their family and friends.' Lord McFall of Alcluith, the Lord Speaker, said the upper chamber extended its 'condolences to the noble Lord's family and friends'. In the 1970s, Lord Lipsey served as a special adviser to Labour minister and diarist Anthony Crosland and on the staff at 10 Downing Street under Prime Minister Jim Callaghan, later Lord Callaghan. He also worked on The Sunday Times, New Society and The Economist and co-founded the short-lived Sunday Correspondent in 1988. He was awarded a life peerage by former prime minister Tony Blair in 1999. Lord Lipsey was also a fan of greyhound racing, chairing the British Greyhound Racing Board (now called the Great British Greyhound Board) between 2004 and 2009, and worked to get dogs rehomed at the end of their careers.
Daily Record
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Record
Labour peer Lord David Lipsey found dead after police discover body in river
Officers confirmed the body of Lord Lipsey was pulled from the river on July 1 following a huge multi-agency rescue mission. Labour Peer Lord David Lipsey has been found dead after swimming in the River Wye, cops have said. Police were called to the River Wye in Glasbury on June 30 following reports of concern for a person last seen in the water. Dyfed Powys Police has now confirmed the body of Lord Lipsey was pulled from the river on July 1 following a huge multi-agency rescue mission. Lord Lipsey, who previously worked as a journalist and Downing Street adviser under then prime minister Jim Callaghan, entered the Lords in 1999. He is also credited with coining the phrases "New Labour" and "winter of discontent". A police spokesperson told the Mirror: "Dyfed-Powys Police received a report concerning the safety of a man who was last seen swimming in the River Wye, Glasbury. "Following a multi-agency search on July 1, sadly, we can confirm the body of Lord David Lipsey was recovered. "His next of kin have been informed and our thoughts are with them at this difficult time. "They have asked for their privacy to be respected." The Lord Speaker said the upper chamber extended its " condolences to the noble Lord's family and friends". Lord Lipsey, who was a fan of greyhound and harness racing, chaired the British Greyhound Racing Board and the British Harness Racing Club for a number of years. The British Horseracing Authority said: "Lord Lipsey was a staunch supporter of British horseracing and formerly an APPG member. Our condolences to his family at this incredibly sad time." Premier Greyhound Racing said it was "deeply saddened at the passing of Lord David Lipsey". In a statement, they said: "We were very luck to have David as Chair of Premier Greyhound Racing from our inception until his retirement this year. "Throughout this time, we benefitted from his wisdom and guidance which he delivered with dedication, professionalism and no little humour." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
