MORE TRIBUTES TO DICK KNOWLES

18-02-2008

Tributes continue to be paid to the former leader of Birmingham Council Sir Dick Knowles, whose passing was first announced on The Stirrer last night.  Political rivals have been quick to pay tribute and assess impact on the city.

Current city council leader Mike Whitby said this morning:  “"I was sorry to hear the news of Sir Richard Knowles death.

“As Leader of the City of Birmingham he played a significant role in the renaissance and rebirth of Birmingham.

“He dedicated his life to public service and was an exceptional raconteur and believed passionately in local government. He gained the respect of all parties, was one of the longest serving Leaders and will be sorely missed."

Liberal Democrat leader Paul Tilsley acknowledged that he and Dick had clashed over the years on various policy issues, but offered generous praise:  “He was a remarkable man, and the last of the old style city leaders.

“He had all the trappings of Ken Livingstone, being able to take decisions within a very small caucus. He was effectively a Mayor.

“If you look at Brindley Place, that was one of his pet projects and it wouldn’t have happened without him – even though he faced opposition from many in the Labour group who were against it.

“It transformed that part of Birmingham.”

Another Liberal Democrat John Hemming – now the MP for Yardley – recalls an incident from the early 1990’s when Dick helped with door to door distribution of a potentially libellous leaflet during a Council by-election.

The Labour man refused to back down, but was eventually forced to apologise, make a £1,000 donation to charity and pay Hemming’s costs.

“Dick Knowles and I did not get on and yes in about 1991 he did end up making a charitable contribution of £1,000 (plus costs) as a result of a leaflet he distributed in my ward,” said Hemming.

“However, he did a lot of work for the city and we should respect him for that.  He also did it at a time when city leaders didn’t get the rate of pay they do now.”

Conservative councillor Peter Douglas Osborn wrote on The Stirrer Forum:  “My one claim to fame was knocking Sir Richard Knowles off the Council.

”I can say that he was an honourable man and definitely one of the "Old Labour" sort - like the times he would tell me about how impressed he was with the Soviet Union - said with a twinkle - I hope!

”We are lighter of a great character in the City, and an opponent of considerable skill. My heart goes out to Ann who will be devastated. I hope his colleagues will be able to help console her.”

To read what Sir Dick's Labour colleagues had to say, click here
 
Pay your tribute to Dick Knowles on The Stirrer Forum.