Illtyd Harrington was a larger-than-life figure, one of Falstaffian proportions — a cocktail of socialist passion and compassion. He added Celtic fervour to a dash of bluster, listing his recreations as “defending local government, laughing, singing and incredulity”.
He devoted some 40 years to public service, mainly as a Labour councillor in London. He served as deputy leader to Ken Livingstone on the Greater London Council (GLC) from 1981 to 1984, and as chairman until 1986 when it was abolished by the Thatcher government. An early flirtation with European communism, including visits to East Germany, dashed his hopes of entering parliament.
Born in 1931, he attended St Illtyd’s RC School — his mother was a devout Catholic — in Dowlais, followed by Merthyr County school.