Professor Stephen Haseler
9/1/1942 – 20/7/2017
The Federal Trust is deeply saddened to have lost one of its most distinguished members through the sudden death of Professor Stephen Haseler, a member of the Trust’s Council and Director of the Global Policy Institute. For all of us at the Trust he leaves a gap, both personally and intellectually, that can never be filled.
Stephen Haseler occupied a rare and valued place in British public life as an unashamed controversialist whose views were always underpinned by academic rigour and deep reflection. As a writer and broadcaster his concern was always to present his audience with the real political and social choices that he believed confronted them. These choices, in Stephen’s view, rarely corresponded to the traditional party divisions of British politics. The clarity and good humour with which Stephen presented his ideas ensured that he had friends and admirers on all parts of the British political spectrum.
Stephen had been greatly encouraged in past weeks by recent developments in the Brexit debate. He hoped and believed that opposition to British withdrawal from the European Union would be an occasion for the realignment of British politics which he had long advocated. Those of us who attended the Federal Trust’s AGM a few days before his death will have an abiding memory of his robust and invigorating contribution to our debate on the European issue. The Trust has been exceptionally lucky in recent years to have benefitted from Stephen’s defining participation in our activities. The Trust’s work in future years will be encouraged and reinforced by his memory.
A Colloquium and Memorial Event was held on Friday 13th October 2017 at Chelsea Old Town Hall (please click here for further details). Nobody who knew Stephen could doubt the central and inspiring role in his life played by his wife Bay. The Federal Trust sends her its condolences and best wishes.
Brendan Donnelly
Director, The Federal Trust
July 2017
You are welcome to leave a message of condolence in the comments section below.
Professor Haseler’s death is a great shock and we offer deepest sympathy to Bey.
He was in a sense larger than life: both his intellect and his energetic advocacy, always uplifting, of his convictions will long outlast his physical time with us.
Coming as we do from the moderate centre-right, it was striking how much we agreed with his radical analysis both of the UK’s internal constitution and also the UK’s inter-action with the EU.
At such a sad time it may be some consolation that his last significant public appearance saw him in such ebullient form and that, at such a testing time in the UK’s relationship with the EU, he was characteristically well ahead of the general curve of opinion and seeing light at the end of the tunnel.
Dirk Hazell, Leader, UK EPP
Here in Rome we have been chocked by the news of the death of Prof. Haseler. He was a member of the Scientific Committee of EURISPES, a primary Italian institute of economic and social research. Together with prof. Haseler we have organized important conferences in Rome on the European Social Model and his possible evolution. He gave a very cleaver contribution especially in the 2006 conference, at the Italian Parliament, in which he explained all the risks of a possible international economic crisis, that exploded in 2007-2008. His speaches are published by us in a special book. All the documentation is at your disposal. In that occasion he founded with us an international network just on the issue of the European Social Model. We partecipate to your initiatives of commemoration.
Marco Ricceri, EURISPES, the Secretary General (www.eurispes.eu)
I am at a loss for words during this sorrowful time. My deepest sympathies go out to you and your family. May God keep you and give you the comfort and peace through your journey and may your soul rest in peace.My Sincere Condolence and prayers to a Friend Forever remembered for your wonderful work, forever missed.
God bless you professor Haseler.
I worked with Stephen between 2014 and 2016. He was a pleasure to work with: co-operative, friendly, energetic, and always willing to contribute new ideas. He was a true gentleman.
I am most saddened by Stephen’s death. I had many a tussle with him over my wanting to leave the EU but he was always a principled , reasoned and polite opponent. He will be missed by the many ,including those that disagreed with him, My condolences to his wife and family. There are too few like him.
So very saddened to hear of the death of Professor Stephen Haseler. As my former PhD supervisor, he was both an inspiration and a positive influence over my intellectual development. With no respect for traditional authority, he embodied a rare combination of radical liberalism with a commitment to social equality. I extend my condolences to Bey and Stephen’s family. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him.
A fine tribute. I would add that Stephen had a generous character and very hospitable nature. He was very helpful to me prior to a first trip to the US in 1976 when he gave me some valuable introductions and on later visits when he was working there.
He will be much missed.