Glenys Kinnock, a campaigner and politician who passed away on Sunday due to Alzheimer’s disease, was born in 1944 into a family with a strong history of activism.
Her parents – Cyril Parry, a trade unionist and railway signalman, and Doris Evans – were credited with instilling in their daughter a strong sense of social justice and a love of Wales. She was born in Northamptonshire, but soon afterwards the family moved back to their native Holyhead, where Glenys learned to speak Welsh.
During her time at University College, Cardiff, she pursued studies in education and history. It was there that she first encountered Neil Kinnock, with whom she is said to have inquired, “Are you the man from the Socialist society?”
In 1967, they tied the knot, beginning a political alliance that played a crucial role in reshaping the public perception of the Labour party during the 1980s.
Glenys Kinnock was frequently seen as more extreme than her spouse and is believed to have convinced him to postpone abandoning Labour’s stance on nuclear disarmament.
She was a notable politician and activist in her own regard. She held a seat in the European Parliament for 15 years, starting with her initial election in 1994 as the representative for Wales South-east, winning by a significant margin.
In 2009, Glenys was chosen by Gordon Brown to serve as the minister for Europe. She was also granted a life peer title by Brown. Brown praised her for her kindness, friendliness, and unwavering dedication to advocating for both local and global issues.
I am pleased to have convinced her to join the government as she was a well-liked and successful minister for Europe in the previous Labour administration.
Kinnock served as an inspiration for numerous individuals to pursue careers in politics, such as Green MP Caroline Lucas. While working at Oxfam, Lucas had the opportunity to lobby Kinnock as an MEP. In a 2016 interview with the Guardian, Lucas expressed her admiration for Kinnock’s efforts in trade policy to support impoverished nations. Seeing her on the other side of the desk, Lucas aspired to be like her and work towards positive change.
Kinnock advocated for various global matters during her campaign, such as the elimination of nuclear weapons, the dismantling of the apartheid system in South Africa, and reducing international debt. In 1989, she played a key role in establishing the charity One World Action. She also fought against the military dictatorship in Myanmar and supported those who have been victims of torture.
Kinnock was a frequent contributor to the Guardian, focusing on issues related to international development. One notable piece she co-wrote with the late Jo Cox was published on International Women’s Day. In her final article in 2016, she advocated for airdrops to be used in cities under siege during the Syrian civil war.
She was fervently European and was reportedly devastated by the outcome of the Brexit referendum.
Alastair Campbell, former director of communications for Tony Blair, wrote about Glenys on X, stating that she was often remembered as one half of an extraordinary couple. However, she was also a powerful political figure in her own regard, and even Nelson Mandela greatly admired her.
“She was a committed MEP heartbroken by Brexit and a brilliant minister for Europe, Africa and the UN. Many people in many parts of the world will be very sad today. A bright and beautiful light has gone out, leaving the world a sadder place, but those who knew her with so many memories of a great woman.”
She is survived by her husband of 56 years, who was by her side during her last moments, and her children Stephen and Rachel. A family tribute described her as a beloved grandmother.
Source: theguardian.com
