I was informed today by his son, Graham, that Ken Capstick whilst on holiday in Bulgaria with his daughter, Julie, was taken ill and following an emergency operation sadly passed away.
I know there will be many messages and expressions of sorrow and shock at the loss of an outstanding trade unionist and Socialist, who continued to fight to the very end of his life for workers’ rights and Socialism.
During the railway workers’ strikes of a couple of years ago, Ken and I stood side by side on RMT and ASLEF picket lines. To mark the 40th and 50th anniversaries of the Battle of Saltley Gate, 1972 – in which Ken fought on the picket lines - we spoke together. Only last year, we shared a platform at the major rallies marking the 40th Anniversary of the Miners’ Strike of 1984/1985.
Ken was a former Vice-President of the National Union of Mineworkers Yorkshire Area. He was a leading member and official in the Socialist Labour Party, and since 2017 a Trustee of the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme. To every task or role he took on he brought unswerving commitment together with an extraordinary range of skills.
Ken and I were comrades and personal friends for over 50 years. No words can express the sense of loss I feel. However, his death is a massive loss to the Labour and trade union movement of a man who fought from a young age for trade union rights and a Socialist system of society.
I extend my deepest sympathy to Ken’s much-loved children, David, Julie and Graham and his grand-children who were his pride and joy.
Arthur Scargill
President, National Union of Mineworkers 1982-2002
Leader, Socialist Labour Party 1996-2024
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