Moray councillor pays tribute to ‘inspirational’ Lord Field
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A BUCKIE councillor has paid tribute to social justice campaigner Lord Frank Field of Birkenhead.
Independent councillor Neil McLennan has spoken of his respect and admiration for the peer, who passed away on Tuesday, April 23.aged 81.
Lord Field had been a Labour MP and was later elevated to the House of Lords as crossbencher in 2020.
Councillor McLennan said: "Some people may never have heard of Frank Field, however he was an inspiration - an inspiration for independent thinking, independent advice and advocacy, social justice and decency.
"I first met Frank when I chaired committees commemorating the World War I poets. Frank was key to organising events in his constituency area of Birkenhead, an area closely linked with Wilfred Owen, about whom I have written articles and books.
"Later when I arranged an international remembrance concert over a five-year period, Frank was a great supporter. He even spoke of the event in the House of Commons as well as supporting with many helpful connections in the House of Lords.
"I was honoured when Frank nominated me for an international leadership award. Some people will not know about that and my leadership was questioned recently. One thing I have learned is that you do not always win friends when standing up for things, especially when standing up for the most vulnerable in society."
Councillor McLennan went on to praise Lord Field’s considerable legacy.
He continued: "Frank, like me, left party politics behind and ploughed a lone, but important, furrow in representing the people of his area.
“Is that not what politics is about? He resisted attempts to get him to join other parties and stood up for what mattered to those he represented. Being an independent can be a lonely place, but it is ultimately more fulfilling as you can represent your constituents without fear or favour of party politics.
"Frank will be fondly remembered by all who met him for his localism, his social justice championing to eradicate poverty and also standing up against poor culture and heinous things like anti-semitism"
"We need more like him in politics. I would encourage many more to consider standing as independent candidates in the upcoming general election. Local communities deserve representatives who will stand up for their issues, and not be bound by the hollowed out and futile approaches of the current party political set up.
“South of the border we can see issues with Labour and the Conservative Party. North of the border, many will question if they want SNP or Conservatives to represent them given what they have seen.
“I hope we see many more Frank Fields in future. He is a national inspiration to independent politicians."
