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Trade unionist Billy Hayes and Watford MP Claire Ward pay tribute to former Hertsmere Borough Council leader Bryan Stanley (From Watford Observer)
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Trade unionist Billy Hayes and Watford MP Claire Ward pay tribute to former Hertsmere Borough Council leader Bryan Stanley
1:50pm Friday 24th July 2009
The head of a national trade union has praised the political achievements of the late Bryan Stanley, who died on Sunday.
The 83-year-old played a pivotal role in the battles with Conservative governments against privatisation of services in his role as general secretary of the former Post Office Engineering Union (POEU) and the National Communications Union (NCU).
Labour party member Mr Stanley, who was also leader of Hertsmere Borough Council and a long-serving member of Elstree and Borehamwood Town Council, joined the union when he started working for the Post Office at the age of 14.
He rose through the union to become general secretary and his work from 1972 to his retirement in 1986 has been praised by Billy Hayes, the current general secretary of the communication workers union, a merger of the old POEU and NCU.
He said: “Bryan was a solid Labour Party and trade unionist until the day he died.
“He was involved at the head of the union at difficult times, like the privatisation of British Telecom. He also oversaw the merger of the Post Office Engineering Union and Civil and Public Services Association to form the NCU.
“He was a long-standing servant of the Labour Party and trade union movement, always looking to serve the disadvantaged. He will be sadly missed.”
Claire Ward, Labour MP for Watford, was a close family friend of Mr Stanley and praised the influence he had on the national political scene and on her career.
She said: “His role in bringing the Labour Party to a position of electability should not be underestimated, for without the support of Bryan and a handful of other general secretaries, Neil Kinnock would never have won the battle and Tony Blair would never have been elected.
“So many of us in the Labour Party owe so much to him, me in particular.
“I will never forget the support and encouragement he gave to me as a young member of the Labour Party and all he did to help me when seeking selection as a parliamentary candidate.”
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John Dowdle, Watford says...
12:30pm Sat 25 Jul 09
I would like to add my own remembrance to the memory of Bryan Stanley.
Bryan played a hugely important role in defending Watford General Hospital against the proposals of the then West Hertfordshire Health Authority’s proposals to close Watford General Hospital in the late 1990s.
Bryan – as Leader of Hertsmere Council – together with the Leaders of Watford, Dacorum, Three Rivers and St Albans Councils, made an essential partnership contribution towards a campaign involving local MPs, the South West Herts Community Health Council and Watford Against Threats To Close Hospitals (WATCH) which resulted in Watford General Hospital staying in its present location.
Watford and West Hertfordshire owes Bryan Stanley a considerable debt of gratitude.
Bryan was also a strong supporter of the Co-operative Movement locally.
Bryan’s efforts will continue to benefit the residents of West Hertfordshire for a long time to come.
John Dowdle