1952-2009

A lot of people knew Bill Speirs, and a lot of people considered him their friend.

Whenever there was a campaign to be supported, the odds were that Bill would be there, sometimes quietly in the background, but as often as not, leading the way, providing inspiration and commitment. He was a stalwart supporter of the miners and others fighting for their communities and their livelihoods, and a fierce opponent of injustice and iniquity.

He is best known for his work as the General Secretary of the STUC from 1998, but he had already made his mark on the Scottish Labour and Trade Union movement long before, working for the STUC from 1979, and through his many other political involvements. Bill was a very longstanding, firm and active friend and supporter of many international solidarity movements, such as Nicaragua and Cuba, and the Anti-Apartheid Movement and ACTSA, before, during and after his spell as General Secretary of the STUC. He had a strong commitment to the Palestinian cause and worked tirelessly to raise the issues within the labour movement and to increase public awareness of the plight of the Palestinian people.

Within the Labour Party, Bill fought for the retention of the socialist principles on which the party was founded. He was a signatory of the statement that launched the Clause IV campaign, which in turn led to the creation of the Campaign for Socialism.

As a leading light within Scotland United, he was a true Scottish socialist, supporting devolution not for any petty nationalist sentiment, but as a means to improve the lot of the working people of Scotland.

He would surely have shone as an MP or MSP, but I suspect he enjoyed being free-thinking and politically inclusive too much to get bogged down in the restrictions of parliamentary party politics.

His politics were not limited to the mainstream of political activity, and he carried his commitment into other areas such as the theatre, where he was involved with 7:84 and many cultural events. As Jack McConnell put it, “he had a belief in the power of culture to change people’s lives and to lift their aspirations.”

Bill was a good friend to many people. He was very sociable and great company. I fondly remember conferences and social events where we made merry and sang socialist songs until late into the night. And Bill knew a lot of songs, so that could be quite late.

Bill Speirs made an enormous contribution, not just to the Scottish labour movement, but to the Scotland that we have today, and to many people across the world for whose causes he fought.

He made a difference, and he will be greatly missed.

Obituary by Cathy Peattie MSP

Funeral service: 1pm at Renfrew Town Hall, Renfrew Cross, Renfrew, Renfrewshire PA4 8PF

Internment: Arkleston Cemetery, Renfrew, Arkleston Rd, Renfrew, Renfrewshire PA4 0RA

Following the funeral, there will be refreshments provided at the Prince of Wales Hall, Queen Street, Renfrew.

Family flowers only, but if people wish to make a donation in Bill’s memory, any of the following causes were dear to his heart:

• Community H.E.A.R.T. 6th Floor, Sunlight House, Quay Street, Manchester M3 3JZ (Health Education And Reconstruction Training for Southern Africa is a Registered Charity No. 1052817)
• Scottish Friends of Palestine, c/o Hugh Humphries, 31 Tinto Road, Glasgow, G43 2AL
• War on Want, Development House, 56-64 Leonard Street, LONDON EC2A 4LT
• Connolly Association

The day will be a celebration of Bill’s life, so the family are asking people not to go to any trouble to wear black or dress in a sombre fashion.