Photo Credit: Bradford Lib Dems

Some people stand at the front and lead, others sit and back and chunter. Jeanette Sunderland did both, and did them both very well. Forthright, clear, determined, energetic and a real sense of no-nonsense she was a familiar face to so so many of us within the Liberal Democrat family.

In tough times and good Jeanette would be there – often turning up to the by-elections that could not be won, precisely because she knew they could not be won and she wanted to help and thank the team who were flying the flag for liberal democracy.

Across at least three decades Jeanette was a liberal to her core, and her untimely death this week will come as a very real shock to so many.

ALDC was very much a part of who Jeanette was and what she believed in – but she was no sycophant. Few people could express their concerns or criticism so clearly and so nicely – if she was angry you could just tell, words were often not needed. Jeanette was always willing to ask the question no-one else dared. I recall then Party Leader Nick Clegg MP being at an ALDC reception taking questions, Jeanette was straight to the point: “if our MP’s are wiped out in the forthcoming General Election, will you resign?” The room gasped at the boldness of the question and Jeanette added “oh come on, you all know it’s coming and if you don’t you deserve to lose.”

Back in February 1998 we won our first ever seat for over a generation on the City of Stoke-on-Trent, Jeanette rang to congratulate and to arrange a group meeting. I explained that Cllr Ian Openshaw was our first councillor and we didn’t have a Group. Back came the reply: “im planning ahead and suggesting June, that gives you time to win the by-election ward again and become a group of two.” When May came round we won the ward again and I gained a second ward and we became a group of three. I excitedly rang her to arrange an Away Day for June as Jeanette had suggested – she was delighted. I also recall her collapsing into tears of laughter when, catching up at a party conference soon after, i showed her the photo I had taken of a wall in Stoke on which was sprayed “Preserve the past! The future’s f****d!” She quipped through the tears, “well they’re not wrong”.

If you were at conference Jeanette could be found either at fringe meetings or training about local government and grassroots activism, alternatively she was in the conference bar talking about… yes you guessed it… grassroots activism and local government.

There were bespoke passions on which she was determined: equality was a no-brainer, full equality, the environment was always up there, the natural environment – she wrote to me to specifically single out my campaign for Dog Friendly Chesterfield – allotments, canals, internationalism, positive about refugees and clear that our response should be inclusive and kind – and she was damning of those who weren’t. And children, and child poverty, and a good start in life – for Jeanette these were essential staples which everyone needed to know should matter. And on children and welfare, if you didn’t agree you were wrong.

It was easy to come away with the impression that she was just bossy, strong minded, almost aggressive – but over time and looking back now I appreciated that she was honest, forthright and uncompromising on her principles. But there was a real warmth and a depth that shone through – I recall her training on winning a ward – “when you win, you can take office, when you lose you can learn.” She knew that losing hurt and she knew that candidates and campaign teams of other parties were hurt and upset when they lost. Empathy in public life mattered with Jeanette.

Above all else, and perhaps my abiding memory, that I shall hold dear, was her constant loyalty of friendship. She never rushed passed, too busy to say hello – there would be at least a shout or a wave and later, if she saw you again, there would be a fuller “hello, how are you?” I had a bad time after the General Election, she inquired how I was: “don’t give me some rehearsed ‘I’m okay’, how actually are you?” I appreciated the intrusion and it will remain in my heart as a reflection of how good a friend so many of us have lost.

I’m sure I speak for many when I send my heartfelt condolences to her husband Andrew, daughter Rachel and wider family.

* Ed Fordham is a Former Liberal Democrat Parliamentary candidate for Hampstead and Highgate 2005, Hampstead and Kilburn 2010 and currently Group Leader on Derbyshire County Council.