Salford Labour Party Website

I am acutely aware that there are many gathered here today who both knew Bernard for longer than I did or knew different aspects of his life. I hope you will forgive me if I speak about the Bernard I knew, a friend, a colleague and someone who was very proud of his family and a distinguished public servant for the people of Salford; someone who left everyone at least inwardly smiling and a little happier for having met him. Truth is that Bernard was one of the nicest people you could meet. I know that could sound trite or priggish. Perhaps the best description of his character was from Bill Hinds who said to me the world would be a lot better place if it was full of Bernard Murphy’s. In the next few minutes I want to show how true that statement was.

Bernard was born at Hope Hospital in Salford and never lost his pride in being a true Salforidan. He was educated at St. Joseph’s RC primary school. Never one for the orthodox unlike many people he absolutely loved his period of National Service. He was know as Sharky to his pals in 81 Squadron when he was based in Singapore from 1956-58 his ability to drink quickly made him apparently the yun sange (that means drink quick) champion of the regiment. Not having been there of course I can only assume that orange juice or some other suitable soft drink was used for these contests!

Having qualified as a teacher he taught at Cathedral Boys School, the Sacred Heart and finally at St. Lawrence High School, Weaste.

1972 was a fateful year for Bernard. Elected to Docks ward in the old Salford County Borough his elation was tempered by the subsequent decision of the government to abolish it in 1974. having made the commendable decision to get married in 1980. He then was elected to the Greater Manchester Council in 1981 for Broughton and Kersal. Obviously in what was starting to be a pattern central government made the decision to abolish it in 1986. Following, and I am sure Karen Garrido, will not mind me mentioning this, a memorable campaign in Worsley in 1990 when he came as close as any labour candidate has ever done to winning the seat. He was elected to Broughton Ward in 1991. Fortunately central government then decided to throw in the towe

It was round about 1985 that I first met Bernard. Those of you who remember Calderwood Community Centre in its heyday will remember the quiz nights and race nights that were held there. I learned two things about Bernard there. Firstly, his collection of useless facts which if you were lucky might coincide with the question, the second things was his terrible sense of humour which as some of you might be aware coincides with my own. Every race night Bernard entered the same horse. “Dusty Carpet” because it took some beating and funnily enough it always seemed to do very well!

There was always one thing I envied Bernard during that period and that was his family life. What struck me about Jane and Bernard, Tom and Max was not just that they were very close but that the mutual love and respect they shared for each other.

Bernard was incredibly proud of Thomas and Max’s achievements which I believe must be partly down to the care and support Bernard and Jane showed them and in a sense they are the finest tribute to Bernard’s life.

When I met Feryal, my wife, it was with some nervousness I introduced her to Bernard. She had not come into contact with political activists before and I did not want her to get the wrong idea about us all. We were at a party and Bernard asked Feryal

“What do you do?”

“I am a doctor, a GP”

“Oh, I wouldn’t say that at this party I’d say you were a butcher!”

Like so many, Feryal was still pondering this remark half an hour later but fortunately by that time she had discovered Bernard’s warmth and kindness.

When Feryal died and I was obviously devastated, it was Bernard’s family who looked after met who invited me round for meals and tried to return me to a normal life and I am eternally grateful.

Bernard’s style of canvassing was unique. For those of you not familiar with the purposes of canvassing, it is to identify who is going to vote for you. Bernard would use it as an opportunity to talk to people. He would start as a concession to conventionality by asking how they intended to vote. Then if they were voting Labour he would start up a conversation. Twenty minutes later having finished a street we would often come back to find the bemused voter engaged in conversation about aspects of his life unconnected to local politics.

Last year Tom, Bernard’s son was my agent and it was almost like the family business changing hands. This still allowed Bernard opportunities for mischief making. On one occasion we picked up a nice old lady to take her to the polling station. We discussed Manchester United our prospects in the election and the local architecture. Indeed so engrossed were we in our conversation that when we dropped a somewhat puzzled nice old lady back at her house, she had to point out to us that we had not actually taken here to the polling station!

Bernard was a natural mayor. Many representatives of organisations he visited told us that they were expecting a rather stiff and formal visit. Instead they go someone who genuinely was interested in what they did and used to quiz them about their achievements. The visit may have been exhausting but it would have been worthwhile. Often he would come back bubbling with enthusiasm about the latest group he had visited and would try to persuade me to increase financial support for them. He used to sweep aside my rather feeble objection that we couldn’t afford it with “its only money John, you can always get round money. It’s people you cannot get round.”

In one sense it was sad that he died in his year of office before he was able to see Max get his queens scout award, In another it was typical of the man to die in the service of the City attending a family engagement. When the news came through I was chairing the cabinet and we had to adjourn for a while as people were so devastated. I think most people had this common view of people.

Here is a man whose philosophy was simple he loved his fellow human beings. He loved his City. He loved his church and he loved his family. We all feel as though something bright and carefree has left us and the world today seems a littler duller for his passing.

Cllr John Merry

Leader Salford City Council

Comments Off

Salford MP Hazel Blears has announced that she will be standing for the position of Deputy Leader of the Labour Party.

Today she announced a list of 47 MPs in her bid to be deputy leader of the Labour Party, including five Cabinet Ministers. This means she will be a nominated candidate for the deputy leadership contest when nominations open next week. Hazel’s backers include John Reid, John Hutton, Tessa Jowell, Ruth Kelly and Hilary Armstrong.

John Merry, Leader of Salford City Council has also voiced his support on the Hazel Blears website today.

“Hazel’s drive and energy have been hugely important in promoting the success of Salford. She has helped to breathe new life into the Party and her ability in directly communicating with working people has been soemthing we have come to rely on.”
Councillor John Merry

Comments Off

What will you remember about Tony Blair? 3rd term for Labour, minimum wage, the Iraq war?

Perhaps this magic moment from Red Nose day!

Just click here :Am I bovered?

What ever it is why not post a comment?

Comments Off

Today Tony Blair MP, Leader of the Labour Party, and John Prescott MP, Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, announced they will step down from the leadership of the Labour Party. Tony Blair further announced that on 27 June he will step down as Prime Minister. The Labour Party will now begin the process of selecting a new leadership team with the new Leader and Deputy Leader being announced at the Leadership Conference on Sunday, 24 June.

Peter Watt, Labour’s General Secretary, in a letter to all Labour Party members and supporters sent out today, paid tribute to Tony Blair and John Prescott:

Peter Watt said:

“I want to first take this opportunity to pay tribute to Tony Blair and John Prescott. Under their leadership we have built a modern and progressive party, able to secure three historic election victories. In doing so we have delivered what we promised in each of those election campaigns: slashing hospital waiting lists, improving school results, building a strong economy, protecting the environment and giving Britain a leading role in Europe and the world.

“Earlier this month we celebrated our 10th anniversary in government. We can look with pride at what we are achieving. As the leadership elections unfold we have the opportunity to highlight what we are delivering for Britain and set out what more we have to do.

“The National Executive Committee recognises the Labour Party’s primary duty is to the country as a whole and respects the responsibility and privilege that has been placed in its hands. The elections must, as always, be conducted in a manner that befits the party of government and which reflects the responsibility and priority of the government and the party to the country.

“This election will be an opportunity for Labour to set out – not only to our members but to the country as a whole – the challenges facing Britain, and to explain how Labour is the Party helping the British people prosper in a changing world.

“Labour’s leadership elections will be open and engaging, offering millions of people across the country the chance to participate directly.

“We are today launching a new leadership website, which will be the place to find authoritative news and information about the contest, nominations received and hustings.

“Throughout the campaign we will show that, when you move beyond the image and the PR, the Tories under David Cameron do not have the policies to provide prosperity and security in a changing world.”

Comments Off

LABOUR HOLDS COUNCIL

48,169 votes cast (turnout 29.49%)

Overall composition of the council, all declarations made:

Individual ward results

Existing councillors are shown with a * symbol.

Candidates elected to council at this election are shown in bold type.

Barton Ward:

Boothstown and Ellenbrook Ward:

Broughton Ward:

Cadishead Ward:

Claremont Ward:

Eccles Ward:

Irlam Ward:

Irwell Riverside Ward:

Kersal Ward:

Langworthy Ward:

Little Hulton Ward:

Ordsall Ward:

Pendlebury Ward:

Swinton North Ward:

Swinton South Ward:

Walkden North Ward:

Walkden South Ward:

Weaste & Seedley Ward:

Winton Ward:

Worsley Ward:

Comments(8)