Comments on: Neil Trafford passes away

By: Chris Bovey

Chris Bovey — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 01:59:16 +0000

I only found out just now about this awful news. I knew Niel years ago and will remember him as a lovely guy, such a shame to read he is no longer with us.

By: Ashley

Ashley — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 02:17:26 +0000

Indeed that would have definately been Neil’s judgement

By: Ed Fordham

Ed Fordham — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 02:14:29 +0000

I worked with neil for many years, we were close friends and colleagues and often spoke about situations such as this – Manchester Withington will have made their own judgement on the approrpiateness of delivering the card with neil’s name in it.

However, I can say with some confidence that Neil’s judgement would have been to deliver the card – we have faced situations such as this – and that was invariably neil’s advice – deliver the card, don’t waste the printed cards.

I hope that this helps

By: Shocked

Shocked — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 08:58:33 +0000

I think everyone in Manchester was shocked by the death of Neil Trafford.
However I was doubly shocked to receive a Xmas card signed by John Leech MP and all the local Lib Dem councillors including Neil only yesterday, 23rd December, weeks after Neils death. I think this is grossly insensitive, what do others think?

By: morty

morty — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 00:40:13 +0000

Such a terrible loss. Like many I met Neil at by-elections and training sessions. He was a remarkable man with an infectious personality. One of the good guys.
Best wishes to all of Neil’s friends and family.

By: Andrew Jolly

Andrew Jolly — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 12:19:01 +0000

I’m not sure that there is very much more that I can add.

Living in Australia, I suddenly feel a long way from my Lib Dem friends, my family and my home.

Reading everything has made me realise how much time has passed since I have spoken to so many people – many of whom, like Neil, I wouldn’t have dealt with on a daily, or even a weekly basis, but nevertheless, people I consider good friends as well as political and professional collegues.

At such a time of sadness love and best wishes to Neil’s family and friends.

By: crewegwyn

crewegwyn — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 16:06:12 +0000

Like so many others I was stunned by this dreadful news – it really is like a beacon of light being extinguished. Like Elizabeth (above) I worked with Neil in the trials and tribulations (and triumphs and fun) of the C&N byelection.

He was so extraordinary.

My condolences, and those of all Lib Dems in this area, go to his loved ones.

Cllr Gwyn Griffiths
Crewe & Nantwich

By: Elizabeth Shenton

Elizabeth Shenton — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 15:33:52 +0000

I still can’t take in this terrible news, which is why it has taken me a few days to add my tribute.
Neil Trafford was my agent for the Crewe and Nantwich bi-election. His zest for life was infectious, and his belief in the work that we were doing was a motivation to everyone. I feel so privileged to have had Neil as my agent, as it gave me the opportunity to work with, and get to know, such a great person. He became a good friend and we stayed in touch after the campaign.
Neil was funny, caring, intelligent and he possessed a unique charm. I find it so hard to believe that I won’t hear that quirky laugh again.
Above all though Neil really shone and I know that light will stay in the hearts of everyone who was lucky enough to know him.
God bless you and keep you Neil – and thank you always.

By: Mohammed Shafiq (Rochdale)

Mohammed Shafiq (Rochdale) — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 21:59:55 +0000

I have just returned from abroad and heard the dreadful news that Councillor Neil Trafford, City Councillor for Didsbury Ward in manchester City Council has died, I am deeply shocked and sad at this tragic news, it had such a promising future ahead of him.
I remember at the Conference in Bournemouth this year, being the soul of the Party, he was highly talented, liked, experienced and hard working campaigner and will be missed.

He will be missed by many in the North West, our thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues, such a tragic loss.

By: Jon Hubbard

Jon Hubbard — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 21:43:45 +0000

About 18 years ago I remember a young man coming in to my room at the Liberal Office in Marlborough. I was a ‘green behind the ears’ agent who rapidly discovered that this sixth form student had so much to offer.

As he progressed to bigger and better things within the party, his achievements never came as a shock, there was a real political skill there that most were simply in awe off.

When a friend phoned me yesterday and said what had happened I was horrified and shocked – what a loss. Our prayers are with his friends, family and loved ones at this time.

By: Jonty Cardenas

Jonty Cardenas — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 18:54:06 +0000

I am devastated by the news that I have read today in the MEN, I have known Neil for well over 8 – 9 years and he was always open honest and the type of guy who would make you feel welcome. Nothing was too much for him and I dont think in the years I knew him he had any bad words to say about anyone.
I now work for Manchester City Council and know that this is a very big sad loss to his party, colleagues and most of all and importantly his family. he will be missed very very much. God bless you Neil and thank you you for everything x

By: Roger Crouch

Roger Crouch — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 16:33:09 +0000

Such sad news.

With his cheery and enthusiastic personality, Neil was always encouraging others to get involved and through Neil I got involved in LDYS – never looked back!

Neil will be sorely missed. My condolences to his family and friends.

By: David Robinson

David Robinson — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 16:18:18 +0000

Neil was a fun person to be with. I always enjoyed his company. I last worked with him at the Crewe by election where he was alwys cheerful no matter what the pressure. He trained me in desk top publishing when I started working for the party. I will miss him

By: Lee Jarrett

Lee Jarrett — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 16:00:38 +0000

How great is the Engligh Language and yet I cannot find words to express how sad and empty Neils passing makes me feel.

To all Neils family be you friend or kin I offer my condolences.

By: Jackie Ballard

Jackie Ballard — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 15:27:54 +0000

Sixteen years ago a 17 year old Liberal came to live in my house with Chris and I and for a time was my right hand person (all for love and board and lodgings). We had fun and the occasional argument and I was thrilled to bits when Neil went on to achieve great things and kept that commitment and passion burning in the North West as well as the South West.

Like everyone here I was shocked and saddened when I heard the news of his death. I hope he knew in life how much he was loved, admired and respected – it certainly shines through from all the comments I have read.

Too, too young Neil and too, too sad

By: Daniel Russell

Daniel Russell — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 12:53:57 +0000

I had the pleasure of joining LDYS with Neil in 1994 when we attended our first conference together in Brighton and we became instant friends. We lost touch in recent years but regained contact this summer and it was just like picking up where we left off. He was truly a good person, had a fabulously witty sense of humour and was a committed liberal. I am devastated that he has been taken from us at such a young age but proud to have known such a one off. My thoughts are with Peter Paul and his family who suffer his loss the deepest.

By: simon hughes

simon hughes — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 01:51:20 +0000

I am sorry to be later than I wished in posting this. Like so many others I was shocked and deeply saddened to hear on Monday of Neil’s tragic death. Neil’s family, close friends, colleagues (particularly in Manchester, the rest of the north-west and the Campaigns Department)and many other friends have my deepest sympathy and that of all party officers and MPs who knew Neil. Like others, I have spoken to Neil’s family and told them of the love,affection and great respect and gratitude which Neil had earned from so many in the party. I have also shared with Hilary S the special solidarity which I want her and campaigns department colleagues to know.
From Neil’s time in the Youth and Student office I have watched with pleasure as Neil, supported and cared for by so many, has grown and matured and become such a valued colleague. Those of us with a Christian or other religious faith join our prayers for Neil, and for the real comfort of all those he leaves behind. What Neil gave us and meant to us can never be erased, all the good he did can never be undone and all the love and friendship he gave can never be taken away. We will miss him terribly, but so many have so much to be thankful to Neil for. We just have to try to look after and appreciate each other more as one of our responses to this great loss.
Simon Hughes ( as Federal Party President, but also simply as me. )

By: Sandra Taylor

Sandra Taylor — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 01:11:48 +0000

What can I say? He helped us so much and we had many heated discussions about tactics in the last couple of years. I spoke with him at the NW conference, not knowing that would be the last time ever. As always, he made the time to chat with me and was encouraging as ever. I did not know him personally but he was a very talented campaigner and I’m so glad now that I went to his training session at the Liverpool conference in the Spring – even though it meant missing Vince Cable’s speech!!!
Neil Trafford’s family are in my prayers. God Bless.

By: Jim Mackrell

Jim Mackrell — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 00:42:47 +0000

I am a Manchester Labour activist and I heard yesterday of this tragic news. I was a political opponent of Neil but I never heard a nasty word said about him. He was a very talented campaigner and a formidable opponent. He will be a great loss to the Lib Dems and his constituents and a greater loss for his family. Rest in Peace Neil

By: Kallum Taylor

Kallum Taylor — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 23:36:59 +0000

I’ve only known Neil for the best part of 2 and a half months, since the day I had my interview for an internship in the Warrington Office- so my experience of him would be a drop in the ocean compared to the majority of you.

But what I can say is; out of the many colours painted on the picture of my life so far, his shines amongst the brightest. And I mean that. He was one of a kind and you could tell that from the first conversation you had with him.

I still can’t quite accept that I won’t be hearing him run up the office stairs in the afternoon, with “another job for Kallum”…And, whilst taking a break from that job, I won’t be able to make him that cup of tea with no sugar…Or the fact that on those rainy monday afternoons, we won’t hear him burst out a giggle he’d been trying to hold in for what, half a second!

His smile…Bursting with enthusiasm, empathy, fun, care and sheer friendiless is a smile I’ll never forget. And the man himself, Neil Trafford, will never ever be forgotten.

Rest in Peace Neil