Bryan Capewell Stanley (3 May 1926–19 July 2009) was a British trade union leader.
Born in Walsall (on the first day of the General Strike), and educated at Queen Mary's Grammar School, Stanley started work with the Post Office in 1942, and also joined the Post Office Engineering Union (POEU). In 1959, he became a full-time organiser for the union, and in 1972, was elected as its General Secretary. In 1973, he was elected to the Labour Party's National Executive Committee, but he stood down in 1978 to join the Trades Union Congress' General Council.[1]
Although on the right of the Labour Party, Stanley rejected an offer from Shirley Williams to defect to the Social Democratic Party, instead working to oppose the left within the party. In 1981, he convened the St Ermin's Group of anti-militant trade union leaders, which aimed to co-ordinate their votes to win control of the Labour Party. He was not able to prevent the privatisation of British Telecom, and retired in 1986, but took up a post on the Industrial Tribunals panel.[1] Just before his retirement, the POEU merged with the Postal and Telecommunications Group of the Civil and Public Services Association to form the National Communications Union, and Stanley served as its first General Secretary.[2]
In 1990, Stanley was elected as a councillor in Hertsmere, and in 1996, he became leader of the council. He worked to purchase Elstree Studios for the borough, and served as Mayor of Elstree and Borehamwood in 1997.[1]
He is survived by his wife Eileen, their two sons, Peter and Ian, and five grandchildren, Jenny, Holly, Carly, Harvey and Kate
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by George Delacourt-Smith |
General Secretary of the Post Office Engineering Union 1972–1985 |
Succeeded by Position abolished |
| Preceded by New position |
General Secretary of the National Communications Union 1985–1986 |
Succeeded by John Golding |