Arthur Stanley Newens, husband to Sandra, father to Sarah, Caroline, Helen, Margy and Tom, granddad to Isabelle, Matthew, Sandro and Catherine, Cockney, coal miner, teacher, MP, MEP, historian, life-long socialist, trade unionist and internationalist, died on 2nd March 2021 after a very busy life.

Born on 4th February 1930, Stan lived his first 9 years in Bethnal Green, London, with his parents, younger brother and sister, maternal Grandmother and great uncle. As he says in his autobiography: were it not for Jack the Ripper he would never have been born, as his paternal grandfather joined the Metropolitan Police to escape poverty and was drafted from Lambeth into the East End as part of police reinforcements in response to the grisly murders. His mother’s family, on the other hand, had lived in Bethnal Green for generations and aunts, uncles and cousins abounded throughout the neighbourhood. As war loomed the family decided to leave Bethnal Green for North Weald, Essex in 1939, although Stan always considered himself an East Ender and was tremendously proud of his roots.

Having excelled in his studies at Buckhurst Hill County High School, Stan was persuaded to stay on and take A Levels in History, English, French and Latin, gaining entry to University College London in 1948. By then, to the consternation of many in his community including his own family, for whom voting conservative was integral to working class respectability, he had espoused the cause of international socialism and registered as a conscientious objector.

Upon graduating in History from UCL, Stan went on to train as a teacher. There followed, instead of 2 years’ National Service in the army during the Korean War, 4 years as a coal miner in Stoke on Trent. Here he rose to become an NUM rep and met and married his first wife Ann.

Stan returned to North Weald with Ann and began teaching at Edith Cavell School in Hackney in 1956. Two daughters, Sarah and Caroline, arrived before tragedy struck and Ann died in 1962. Stan met his second wife, Sandra, through Chingford Labour Party and they married in 1966; two more daughters, Helen and Margaret, arrived followed by a son, Thomas.

Elected as MP for Epping in 1964 Stan quickly established his reputation as a leading, independently minded left-winger and vociferous opponent of the Vietnam War. Defeated by Norman Tebbit in 1970 he returned to teaching but was re-elected as MP for Harlow from 1974 -1983, and then as MEP for Central London from 1984- 1999. In his retirement Stan devoted his time to his books and his writing, and a range of political, historical and civic organisations. 

Throughout his time in Parliament Stan was admired as a dedicated public servant and constituency MP making a real difference to the lives of ordinary people.  He was a lifelong passionate advocate for social justice at home and abroad and active supporter of CND. He was Chair of Liberation (formerly the Movement for Colonial Freedom) and a fierce campaigner against racism and all forms of bigotry. An avid reader, he possessed a quite extraordinary knowledge of an almost unfeasibly vast range of topics and his political views were invariably based on a profound understanding of domestic and international affairs and their historical context. From the classroom to Trafalgar Square, village hall to dining room table, Stan had a remarkable ability to hold the attention of his audience. He was a genuine one off! 

Throughout his life Stan maintained contact with a large extended family, several former pupils and a vast number of friends and associates from politics, historical societies and his community. His family, his books and his garden were his pride and joy. He is sadly missed by so many, but we are lucky to have so much to remember him by.

You can now watch the recording of Stan's funeral service on www.obitus.com. Username:moti8783 Password:835653   It will remain available until the end of Monday 26th April.  If the recording is unstable, try using it at fullscreen.    The service sheet and other details are to be found under the Stories section of this website.