Former Labour Party leader Lord David Triesman has passed away at the age of 82. His life was marked by his unwavering commitment to fairness and equality, which drove him through various careers spanning academia, trade unionism, politics, and sports.
Born in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, Triesman grew up in a household steeped in politics, with both parents being Jewish communists. He took his second name from the Soviet socialist writer Maxim Gorky and was educated at Stationers' Company's school in Hornsey, where he became a founder member of the Radical Student Alliance.
Triesman began his career as an academic researcher at London University, studying addiction before joining the trade union world through employment with the Association of Scientific, Technical and Managerial Staffs. He later became national negotiating secretary for the lecturers' union Natfhe in 1984 and general secretary of the Association of University Teachers in 1993.
Triesman's entry into politics was marked by his appointment as Labour Party general secretary in 2000, a role that saw him stabilize party finances and bolster trade union support during Tony Blair's leadership. However, his tenure was cut short due to personal controversy surrounding his offshore trust and the outcome of the Brent East byelection.
He went on to serve as chairman of the Football Association from 2008 to 2010 but resigned after a newspaper sting caught him making allegations of bribery against Spanish and Russian referees during the 2010 World Cup bidding process. Triesman also became an active member of the House of Lords, serving in various government roles including junior minister at the Foreign Office.
Triesman's later years were marked by his work as general secretary of the Labour Party from 2007 to 2010 and a shadow spokesman on business under Ed Miliband. He was known for his charming and persuasive nature, earning him widespread respect and praise for his integrity.
Throughout his life, Triesman accumulated numerous academic awards and visiting fellowships, as well as public appointments in education, affordable housing, industrial relations, finance, and regulation. He leaves behind a wife, Lucy Hooberman, and their daughter, Ilona.
Born in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, Triesman grew up in a household steeped in politics, with both parents being Jewish communists. He took his second name from the Soviet socialist writer Maxim Gorky and was educated at Stationers' Company's school in Hornsey, where he became a founder member of the Radical Student Alliance.
Triesman began his career as an academic researcher at London University, studying addiction before joining the trade union world through employment with the Association of Scientific, Technical and Managerial Staffs. He later became national negotiating secretary for the lecturers' union Natfhe in 1984 and general secretary of the Association of University Teachers in 1993.
Triesman's entry into politics was marked by his appointment as Labour Party general secretary in 2000, a role that saw him stabilize party finances and bolster trade union support during Tony Blair's leadership. However, his tenure was cut short due to personal controversy surrounding his offshore trust and the outcome of the Brent East byelection.
He went on to serve as chairman of the Football Association from 2008 to 2010 but resigned after a newspaper sting caught him making allegations of bribery against Spanish and Russian referees during the 2010 World Cup bidding process. Triesman also became an active member of the House of Lords, serving in various government roles including junior minister at the Foreign Office.
Triesman's later years were marked by his work as general secretary of the Labour Party from 2007 to 2010 and a shadow spokesman on business under Ed Miliband. He was known for his charming and persuasive nature, earning him widespread respect and praise for his integrity.
Throughout his life, Triesman accumulated numerous academic awards and visiting fellowships, as well as public appointments in education, affordable housing, industrial relations, finance, and regulation. He leaves behind a wife, Lucy Hooberman, and their daughter, Ilona.
just heard about Lord David Triesman's passing away at 82. feels like he lived an amazing life - from academia to politics to sports... it's crazy how one person can have so many different careers 
. always admired his commitment to fairness and equality, it's a quality we could all learn from 
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I mean, 82 is still pretty young, right? Like, he was basically ageless 
. Anyway, I'm gonna miss him... not because he was a great guy or anything (just kidding), but because now the Labour Party doesn't have that "cool uncle" vibe going on anymore 
. Seriously though, it's sad to see someone who dedicated their life to fairness and equality go, especially when you consider all the controversy surrounding his personal life... but hey, at least he got a sweet title for being in the House of Lords 
!
. He wasnt afraid to speak up, even if it meant getting into some controversy, but thats what made him stand out, right? and hes got a daughter and wife, thats the best part of his legacy, passing on love and family is the most important thing 
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Man, it's like the whole world is losing its mind, you know? David Triesman might be gone, but I'm still reeling from all those skeletons coming out of his closet during his time in politics 
. Like, who makes allegations of bribery against referees and gets off scot-free? 
It's a shame he didn't get to live out the rest of his life with some semblance of dignity 
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Did he really think we'd forget about all that drama? 
. Lucy and Ilona, sorry to hear you're losing your wayward dad 
. He might not have been perfect, but he was definitely one of a kind 
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just heard the sad news about Lord David Triesman... he was such an inspirational figure for me, I loved how passionate he was about making things fairer & more equal 
his journey from academia to politics & even sports is a testament to his dedication 
and his commitment to fighting for what's right never wavered even when faced with tough times 
