Union tribute to Tony Banks
Tony Banks (well to the left of Ann Widdecombe above) was passionately opposed to hunting.
Banks, enobled as Lord Stratford by the time of his death, spent seven years working as a trade union official in the Association of Broadcasting Staff (ABS) before entering Parliament in 1983.
The ABS was one of many unions which later came together to create BECTU.
Roger Bolton, now BECTU's General Secretary, who worked alongside Tony Banks as an ABS official, said:
"BECTU members and staff were shocked and saddened to learn of the sudden death of Tony Banks whilst on holiday in the USA. Tony worked for the ABS as a National Official from 1976 to 1983 when he was elected to Parliament.
"Tony was an outstanding official of the union, extremely popular with members and colleagues alike, and also known to have an occasional disagreement with the hierarchy of the union. It must also be said that his disagreements with hierarchy was a distinct theme throughout most of Tony's life.
"I was privileged to work with Tony as an official when our careers overlapped for some four years. He was always passionate in the views he put forward, extremely articulate and a formidable advocate of the members' interests. He particularly looked after members working for BBC, local radio, the World Service, what was then called the Non-Metropolitan SDC and would today be known as the Regional SDC. He also spent some time looking after the freelance division of the union.
"Despite the demanding nature of his union duties he also managed to discharge his duties as an elected member of the GLC and has a very distinguished record as a member of that body. He had a tremendous sense of humour and was at the same time an extremely generous individual.
"He left the union's employment in 1983 when he was elected as MP for Newham NW. I believe that he was an outstanding member of Parliament who made a significant contribution to the work of the House of Commons.
"His greatest passions were perhaps animal welfare and his favourite Chelsea football club. To the best of my knowledge he held three ministerial positions, each of which he resigned on matters of principle whilst still managing to maintain a good working relationship with the Labour Party hierarchy.
"Tony was a larger than life character who many times assisted the union during his period as an MP. Our deepest condolences are offered to his widow Sally and I have on behalf of the union written to her.
"Many members are asking for details of the funeral arrangements in order to pay their respects. I will make these public as soon as I am made aware of them."
ROGER BOLTON