Peter Duncan, a former politics lecturer at Aberystwyth University, has died. He was known for his thorough critique of the Militant Tendency and his famously cluttered office, filled with books and papers.
Academic career and Labour politics
Duncan joined the politics department of the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth (now Aberystwyth University) in the 1980s. At that time, the Labour Club was embroiled in a civil war between supporters of the Militant Tendency and the orthodox Labour left.
His pamphlet, Paved With Good Intentions: The Politics of Militant, was described as a characteristically thorough and reasoned demolition of the organization's cult-like behavior. According to Andrew Wade, the pamphlet was also an attempt to contribute to an open, pluralistic Labour party that many hoped would emerge.
Personal recollections
Andrew Wade, who knew Duncan through the Association of University Teachers, recalled the "huge ziggurats of newspapers" at his homes and the volume of books and papers on all surfaces of his office. Peter Mitchell also noted the cluttered environment in his tribute.
Duncan's work and life left a lasting impression on colleagues and students at Aberystwyth University.
