Redmond O'Neill
Encyclopedia
Redmond O'Neill was a British
political activist.
Born in London to a family from Tipperary
, O'Neill studied at Sussex University, where he joined the Trotskyist International Marxist Group
(IMG). One faction in the IMG later became Socialist Action
, and O'Neill was recognised as its leader. Under his leadership, the group opposed the Gulf War
and founded the Anti-Racist Alliance.
In 1987, O'Neill met Labour Party
politician Ken Livingstone
, and subsequently became his main advisor on Irish issues. In the 1990s, he met and married Kate Hudson
, who later became the Chair of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament
. In 2000, he was appointed as Mayor of London
Ken Livingstone
's deputy chief of staff, responsible for transport, trade union relations, public affairs and editing The Londoner newsletter. He launched a major celebration of St Patrick's Day in London in 2002, took the lead on congestion charging, and developed links with Hugo Chavez
, exchanging transport expertise for cheap fuel.
O'Neill's role in Socialist Action was widely reported in the press in advance of the London mayoral election, 2008
, with the Sunday Times describing allegations that the group remained active as suggesting "Marxist infiltration". A former member of the organisation claimed that O'Neill had operated under the pseudonym "Lark".
Following O'Neill's death, at the age of 55, Gerry Adams
described him as a "very dedicated and energetic supporter of Irish reunification, of the peace process and of justice and equality campaigns", the Foreign Minister of Venezuela called him "an intimate friend, a companion in the fight for equality and justice". Ma Hui, deputy head of the international department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China referred to his efforts "to promote and encourage better understanding and mutually beneficial cooperation between Beijing and London". Cuba's UK Ambassador said O'Neill "will forever be remembered as an example of dedication to the anti-imperialist struggle". Member of Parliament John McDonnell
stated that "Redmond's contribution to our movement will be remembered with immense respect." On 25 October 2009 the demonstration in Trafalgar Square
against Britain's involvement in Afghanistan held a minute's silence marking O'Neill’s death.
British people
The British are citizens of the United Kingdom, of the Isle of Man, any of the Channel Islands, or of any of the British overseas territories, and their descendants...
political activist.
Born in London to a family from Tipperary
Tipperary
Tipperary is a town and a civil parish in South Tipperary in Ireland. Its population was 4,415 at the 2006 census. It is also an ecclesiastical parish in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cashel and Emly, and is in the historical barony of Clanwilliam....
, O'Neill studied at Sussex University, where he joined the Trotskyist International Marxist Group
International Marxist Group
The International Marxist Group was a Trotskyist group in Britain between 1968 and 1982. It was the British Section of the Fourth International. It and its youth organisation had had around 1,000 members and supporters in the late 1970s...
(IMG). One faction in the IMG later became Socialist Action
Socialist Action (UK)
Socialist Action is a small Trotskyist group in the United Kingdom. From the mid-1980s Socialist Action became an entryist organisation, attempting to take over other organisations, with members using code names and not revealing their affiliation....
, and O'Neill was recognised as its leader. Under his leadership, the group opposed the Gulf War
Gulf War
The Persian Gulf War , commonly referred to as simply the Gulf War, was a war waged by a U.N.-authorized coalition force from 34 nations led by the United States, against Iraq in response to Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait.The war is also known under other names, such as the First Gulf...
and founded the Anti-Racist Alliance.
In 1987, O'Neill met Labour Party
Labour Party (UK)
The Labour Party is a centre-left democratic socialist party in the United Kingdom. It surpassed the Liberal Party in general elections during the early 1920s, forming minority governments under Ramsay MacDonald in 1924 and 1929-1931. The party was in a wartime coalition from 1940 to 1945, after...
politician Ken Livingstone
Ken Livingstone
Kenneth Robert "Ken" Livingstone is an English politician who is currently a member of the centrist to centre-left Labour Party...
, and subsequently became his main advisor on Irish issues. In the 1990s, he met and married Kate Hudson
Kate Hudson (activist)
Katharine Jane Hudson is a UK academic and political activist.Kate Hudson is currently the General Secretary of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament. Prior to her appointment to the post, she had served as Chair of the organisation from 2003 to 2010...
, who later became the Chair of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament
Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament
The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament is an anti-nuclear organisation that advocates unilateral nuclear disarmament by the United Kingdom, international nuclear disarmament and tighter international arms regulation through agreements such as the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty...
. In 2000, he was appointed as Mayor of London
Mayor of London
The Mayor of London is an elected politician who, along with the London Assembly of 25 members, is accountable for the strategic government of Greater London. Conservative Boris Johnson has held the position since 4 May 2008...
Ken Livingstone
Ken Livingstone
Kenneth Robert "Ken" Livingstone is an English politician who is currently a member of the centrist to centre-left Labour Party...
's deputy chief of staff, responsible for transport, trade union relations, public affairs and editing The Londoner newsletter. He launched a major celebration of St Patrick's Day in London in 2002, took the lead on congestion charging, and developed links with Hugo Chavez
Hugo Chávez
Hugo Rafael Chávez Frías is the 56th and current President of Venezuela, having held that position since 1999. He was formerly the leader of the Fifth Republic Movement political party from its foundation in 1997 until 2007, when he became the leader of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela...
, exchanging transport expertise for cheap fuel.
O'Neill's role in Socialist Action was widely reported in the press in advance of the London mayoral election, 2008
London mayoral election, 2008
The London mayoral election, 2008 for the office of Mayor of London was held on 1 May 2008 and was won by Conservative Party candidate Boris Johnson....
, with the Sunday Times describing allegations that the group remained active as suggesting "Marxist infiltration". A former member of the organisation claimed that O'Neill had operated under the pseudonym "Lark".
Following O'Neill's death, at the age of 55, Gerry Adams
Gerry Adams
Gerry Adams is an Irish republican politician and Teachta Dála for the constituency of Louth. From 1983 to 1992 and from 1997 to 2011, he was an abstentionist Westminster Member of Parliament for Belfast West. He is the president of Sinn Féin, the second largest political party in Northern...
described him as a "very dedicated and energetic supporter of Irish reunification, of the peace process and of justice and equality campaigns", the Foreign Minister of Venezuela called him "an intimate friend, a companion in the fight for equality and justice". Ma Hui, deputy head of the international department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China referred to his efforts "to promote and encourage better understanding and mutually beneficial cooperation between Beijing and London". Cuba's UK Ambassador said O'Neill "will forever be remembered as an example of dedication to the anti-imperialist struggle". Member of Parliament John McDonnell
John McDonnell (politician)
John Martin McDonnell is a British Labour Party politician, who has been the Member of Parliament for Hayes and Harlington since 1997; he serves as Chair of the Socialist Campaign Group, the Labour Representation Committee, and the "Public Services Not Private Profit Group"...
stated that "Redmond's contribution to our movement will be remembered with immense respect." On 25 October 2009 the demonstration in Trafalgar Square
Trafalgar Square
Trafalgar Square is a public space and tourist attraction in central London, England, United Kingdom. At its centre is Nelson's Column, which is guarded by four lion statues at its base. There are a number of statues and sculptures in the square, with one plinth displaying changing pieces of...
against Britain's involvement in Afghanistan held a minute's silence marking O'Neill’s death.