Margaret Aspinall's Unwavering Fight for Justice on International Women's Day 2026
Margaret Aspinall, a formidable campaigner whose son James was among the 97 unlawfully killed in the 1989 Hillsborough disaster, has been named on The Independent's Influence List for International Women's Day 2026. The list's theme, "give to gain," resonates deeply with Aspinall, who has devoted 37 years to seeking truth and legal change.
A Campaign Against Cover-Ups and Delays
In September 2025, a landmark moment arrived as the Public Office (Accountability) Bill, known as the Hillsborough Law, was brought to parliament. This bill, a key pledge of Sir Keir Starmer's Labour government, would impose a "duty of candour" on public officials and contractors, forcing them to tell the truth after disasters to prevent future cover-ups. However, its progress has faced delays, recently due to security services' national security concerns, frustrating Aspinall and fellow campaigners.
"I think we've got about 90 per cent of it done, maybe 95 per cent," Aspinall told The Independent. "But, as I told Keir Starmer straight to his face, I don't want half measures. I want it in all of its entirety."
Speaking Truth to Power at Labour Conference
In September 2025, Aspinall introduced the prime minister at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool, delivering a speech that called for the law's full implementation. She warned the party against complacency, emphasizing the fight was not yet won. Aspinall, who never uses scripts, said, "I just feel if you do a script, you're being false. I'm hoping I was true to myself and true to the 97."
She described the decision to introduce Starmer as "tough," but was reassured by his promises to deliver the law. Her message was clear: "Everybody should be held to account, no matter who they are."
The Legacy of Hillsborough and Beyond
The Hillsborough disaster saw Liverpool fans smeared by police and media as drunk and ticketless, with initial inquests in 1991 reaching a verdict of accidental death. After years of campaigning, new inquests in 2016 found the victims were unlawfully killed, exonerating fans and citing police errors. Yet, no police officer has been held accountable, with match commander David Duckenfield found not guilty in a 2019 retrial.
Aspinall highlights the broader impact of the campaign, noting it won't directly benefit the families but aims to prevent future tragedies like Grenfell or the Manchester Arena bombing. "The law of averages, something like that could happen again," she explained.
Praising Unsung Women and Personal Sacrifices
While honored to be on the Influence List, Aspinall deflects praise, stating, "There are so many women out there behind the scenes that we all should be praising." She cites Grenfell families, Bloody Sunday campaigners, and Post Office scandal victims as examples of strong, resilient women driving change.
Her campaign required personal sacrifices, with her husband helping manage family life. "What kept me going was the love of my child, but also, when you looked at the families, the love that they had for their children," she said. "It always takes a woman to try and change things for the good."
At 79, Aspinall remains determined, telling Starmer, "I want this done before I die. My voice is not my voice; it's my son's voice. It's what he'd want, it's what the other 96 would want. I'm proud of that."
