THE HONEYBALL BUZZ

Last Friday I attended a Celebration of the Life of James Leslie Hicks Eytle, known to all as Les. Les was one of those people who make the Labour Party work. I first met Les in the 1980s when I was Chair of Evelyn Ward Labour Party in Lewisham Deptford constituency. We were both active members of the constituency’s General Committee. Following the death of John Silkin MP Les put himself forward for selection. He was unsuccessful with Joan Ruddock winning through. Sometimes we hear of unsuccessful local candidates who are unhelpful when they lose selections. We forget that most people work just as hard whatever the result. Les was typical of this and worked hard for Joan from her election in 1987 onwards, holding many posts in the Labour Party. He was also a renowned local councillor and I was honoured to be invited to the ceremony where Les was made only the 9th Freeman of the London Borough of Lewisham in 2007.  This recognised his 24 years as a councillor between 1982  and 2006 and Lewisham have recorded his many achievements here.

When I first knew Les racism was still encountered in society and occasionally still in the Labour Party. The commitment, wisdom and entusiasm of people like Les has changed our society for the better in the last 3 decades. Whe Les was first elected a black representative was a notable achievement. Nowadays we do not give it a second thought. Les was a pioneer who led by example. Speaking to many former and current councillors in Lewisham last Friday, Les will live on in the hearts and minds of people in Lewisham for many years to come. His legacy is a living one that many of us will continue to remember with gratitude for having known such a good man.