(From a party email)
Former Liberal Democrat Leaders Paddy Ashdown and Menzies Campbell have paid tribute to Liberal Democrat peer Richard Holme, who has died at the age of 71. Lord Holme, who was the party’s Northern Ireland spokesman during the 1990s, and a member of the joint consultative committee with the Government on constitutional issues, died at home in West Sussex after a long battle with cancer. Lord Ashdown described him as a “man of outstanding talent”. Sir Menzies said the late peer was “one of the most perceptive analysts of politics in this country”. Current leader Nick Clegg said Lord Holme had made a “huge contribution” to the party.
“I do not believe there have been many British liberals, elected or unelected have enjoyed a wider range of respect, had a more varied life, or achieved a greater influence, not just on the course of liberalism, but also on the course of government and politics in Britain, than Richard Holme,” saidy Paddy Ashdown.
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5 Comments
Lord Holme’s contribution to the Northern Irish peace process should not be overlooked. He chaired the fringe meeting at the 1995 Brighton Conference which was the first time that Sinn Fein (represented by Mitchell McLoughlin) and the UDP (represented by Gary McMichael) had sat at the same event. Also in the audience were the PUP’s David Ervine and also Vincent Hanna.
Indeed, he was a Patron of NICIE, the Northern ireland Council for Integrated Education, where I now work, and from his early days as NI Spokesperson was one of the main advocates of the kind of shared future he felt integrated schools could contribute too.
Richard was no “cease fire politician” – he supported grass roots peace building in N Ireland when it wasn’t seen as the “right” or politically correct thing to do. He was a long time advocate and friend of all of us in the movement for shared schools and his wisdom will be sorely missed. He is no longer with us but his passion lives on in those parents who still struggle to have their children educated together in schools. Thank you Richard.
I knew Richard through his National Committee for Electoral Reform which he set up in the mid 1970’s. It was an umbrella group with a wide range of supporters of all parties and none. He campaigned to get PR for the direct elections to the European Parliament and organised public rallies throughout the country, I went to a packed rally in Victoria that he chaired and spoke at. Later I campaigned for him to be Party President and he was an excellent President at a very crucial time, he always had time to stop and listen to members and the courtesy to send personal thank you letters. He will be greatly missed. R.I.P.
Richard came to Cheltenham in 1981 when he was selected to stand as the Liberal Party Parliamentary Candidate and his inspirational leadership professional approach and sheer hard work changed the political landscape.His dedication and ambition for the Party and for Cheltenham led to sustained electoral successes in local elections and later although after Richard had been made a Lord at parliamentary level too.Locally we felt priviledged to campaign alongside someone who so fervently believed in and worked to put in to practice Liberal principles Richard was the confidant and advisor to Party leaders but yet always found time for everyone in Cheltenham to help support and encourage.Personally I was grateful on many occasions as Council and Group Leader to be able talk ideas through with him and for the benefit of his his political experience and insight and his sage practical advice.
Richard retained a deep affection for Cheltenham and the town and many of us personally have lost a friend.His reputation continues to live on on in the great respect and affection in which is still held in the town.