John Blundell, 1952—2014
The Institute has lost a talented and much valued friend, and those who work to spread economic and personal liberty have lost a staunch and effective campaigner. From the ASI's foundation in 1977, we worked with John, who was then Press & Parliamentary Officer for Federation of Small Businesses. During his spell in that post from 1977 - 1982, he was also a Lambeth Councillor, and combined knowledge of what worked for business with deep insights into the workings of local government. He was a leading figure among the very small band who worked to restore free markets and opportunities to a nation worn down by years of centralism and state planning. He engineered a joint publication between the ASI and the Federation of Small Businesses in 1979. Called "An Inspector at the Door," it detailed the various powers of officials to enter premises and seize materials. It was a media sensation, with numerous articles about Britain's "Society of Snoopers." Margaret Thatcher expressed her concern in Parliament, and set up a commission to review and curtail some of those powers.
It was an early example of John's effectiveness and his skills as an organizer and a communicator. Those skills saw him in good stead when he went to the US, where he became President of the Institute for Humane Studies, the Atlas Economic Research Foundation, the Charles G Koch Foundation, and the Claude R Lambe Foundation.
His appointment in 1993 as Director General of the Institute of Economic Affairs was an inspired one. He rapidly reinvigorated the IEA and restored it to its former glory and influence. Assiduously he built up its network of supporters and its range of influential publications. John's own temperament, outgoing and enthusiastic, helped turn the IEA's meetings into ones not to be missed. John's benign presence not only left its stamp on the IEA, but on the numerous outside bodies that he generously helped to build up and support. Internationally he helped to establish other institutes, and was a stalwart of the Mont Pelerin Society, founded by F A Hayek to propagate liberal, free-market ideas.
John had many publications to his credit, including "Waging the War of Ideas" (2003), together with some important works he co-authored or edited. Under his leadership the IEA supported and publicized works by outside bodies, often hosting launches in the IEA's premises. Those premises were transformed during John's tenure, giving the IEA the space it needed for its extended tasks.
He was a good friend and a loyal one. We shall miss his huge personality and his wry humour. He made a major contribution to making the world into a better place, and will deservedly be remembered for that.