Roy Hattersley, a former deputy leader of the Labour Party, is described by multiple outlets as a central figure in efforts to keep the party together and to make it electable. Both reports highlight his role in working to hold Labour in a position to win support, portraying him as a key “nearly man” figure rather than a final decision-maker at the top. The articles also note that, despite his earlier influence, Hattersley becomes increasingly disillusioned later on. In particular, the Evening Standard links his growing dissatisfaction to the direction of the party under Tony Blair, suggesting that Hattersley’s views increasingly diverge from the leadership’s approach. The Belfast Telegraph similarly frames him as someone who spent much of his career trying to maintain cohesion and relevance for Labour, while ultimately facing frustration with how the party evolved. Together, the accounts present Hattersley as an important internal political actor within Labour, whose commitment to keeping the party united is contrasted with later disillusionment as its priorities shift.