It’s so hard to write this. As some of you may know, Neil Trafford has died in a car accident. I wasn’t sure if I should write anything here so soon, but when I started writing things down I found that although it was upsetting it was also helpful.
Neil was one of those amazing people who was not only a really committed Liberal Democrat and a phenomenal campaigner, but was also great fun to be with, was very outgoing and sociable and had a real normal life outside of the party.
The first time I saw Neil was at my first Liberal Democrat Youth and Student Conference in York. It must have been about 1996. We never actually met but I remembered him and I later found out many years later that he remembered me.
It was a few years later through mutual friends and through both working in campaigning for the party, that we really got to know each other properly. As Campaigns Officer for the North West, Neil was key to a lot of our election successes in the region. He was also the agent in the Crewe and Nantwich by-election, as well as being a councillor himself in Manchester.
Over the years Neil and I got to know each other quite well and there’s been some really fun times at conferences and during election campaigns but, as is often the case in the Lib Dems, we never really saw each other enough to become particularly close friends. In fact I remember thinking after the last time I saw him at conference in Bournemouth, that we really should see more of each other given that we got on so well and that we lived so close – he in Manchester and myself in Sheffield.
Neil was always so much the life and soul of the party (in both senses of the term), that this will be a huge shock to a lot of people in the Liberal Democrats. For me, he is also the first friend of my own age to die, which perhaps makes it even more of a shock.
Like Alex Folkes, I have a host of anecdotes about Neil but here isn’t the place to write about them. I am sure however that a lot of people will be reminiscing over the weeks to come.
18 responses so far ↓
Liberal Neil // 25 November 2008 at 5:16 pm |
This is really dreadful news.
I was quite stunned when I heard earlier today and am struggling to believe it.
Neil was a genuinly nice guy and I have very fond memories of him.
Chris Gee // 25 November 2008 at 5:28 pm |
Your words echo my thoughts Anders.
Bloody nice bloke, such a shame.
Karl Liljenberg // 25 November 2008 at 5:36 pm |
Neil was, and I can’t beleive I’m saying was, without a doubt the best type of person. A real rare gem.
He was the type of person to always empathise, to without fail consider other people. I doubt I will ever again have the honour to know such a genuine, loving and loveable person.
Neil will be immensley missed, I personally will never forget him.
Neil Trafford passes away | Liberal Democrat Voice // 25 November 2008 at 7:05 pm |
[...] Trafford passes away Written by The Voice on 25th November 2008 – 7:05 pm As Anders Hanson has written earlier today: It’s so hard to write this. As some of you may know, Neil Trafford [...]
Jo White // 25 November 2008 at 7:33 pm |
I am so shocked having heard the news and can echo the lovely words written by Anders and others.
Paul Trollope // 25 November 2008 at 9:05 pm |
I am still just stunned by the news, and not entirely sure what to say.
What I do know is that I wouldn’t be where I am now without his help and advice – from the first leaflet I ever wrote to my move up to Westmorland and Lonsdale, and the subsequent victory for Tim in 2005. He was a true friend – always willing to help, always with a smile on his face – he will be sorely missed.
Matthew Pearce // 26 November 2008 at 8:38 am |
Neil had an infectious sense of humour and ability to celebrate the causes and interests of all he met. To have a friend in Neil was indeed a privilege, and I too am terribly shocked that he is no longer with us.
I recall how Neil started his Lib Dem politics in Swindon working as the political advisor for the Council Group – and how he kept getting into trouble for campaigning for the cause when he should have been politically neutral as a Local Gov Officer.
He moved on from Swindon and became a superb ambasidor for Lib Dems youth & students and then later on for the party in the north of England
stevec00ke // 26 November 2008 at 10:09 am |
I’m gutted. I heard about this last night and I’m still struggling to express my feelings about the news.
Jamie Matthews // 26 November 2008 at 1:26 pm |
Anders, you’ve taken the words out of my mouth. I have so many anecdotes about fun times with Neil at by-elections and conferences. He did have the most infectious sense of humour. He will be sorely missed by all of us.
Leah Darbyshire // 26 November 2008 at 1:28 pm |
Hi Anders,
I really am so sad and sorry about Neil. Though we weren’t in touch in recent years, he was one of the people in the party that I liked a lot and could relate to easily. He just seemed so normal. We had some fun times, out drinking at various training events and conference. He used to tease me terribly, but always in a good way, always so it made me smile. He only ever said kind things, never cruel. Like others, I’m remembering those personal anecdotes now and, although I’m really still a bit shocked to take it in (Facebook status updates alerted me to the news but not who), I’m still smiling at the memory of lovely things he said to me, private jokes we shared. I think that is a testament to the impact Neil had on people. It is a sad loss, one that I’m very sorry to hear of.
Leah Darbyshire // 26 November 2008 at 1:51 pm |
((PS I never said thank you for that post you wrote last year so…thank you.))
Neil Trafford, a few days on… « Anders Hanson // 27 November 2008 at 1:13 pm |
[...] My previous post is here. [...]
Ashley Byrne // 28 November 2008 at 11:38 am |
Hi Anders,
I knew Neil for the best part of 15 years I think and though we didn’t see each other as often as we should have (despite living in the same city) I always counted him as a good and loyal friend. His death has really hit me especially as he was also ‘of my generation’ and you don’t expect someone so young and with so much life to go in this way.
Neil and I shared the same core Liberal instincts and beliefs (and always voted the same way in party elections) and whenever I felt the party may be heading the wrong way, he’d always convince me that we’re all one big ‘Liberal’ family really.
I will miss him so much.
Andrew Jolly // 30 November 2008 at 10:26 am |
Anders, thank you for this post.
I discovered this news, as I suppose some others might have through the invite to Neil’s funeral on Facebook.
I find this very 21st century way of finding out the most sad news possible quite strange, partly as I am already so disconnected with all my LD friends – I am currently living in Australia. I suppose I am still quite shocked.
I also of course share the same by-election, training course and conference stories, and I hope that it won’t be too long before I see you all again to share our memories.
Liberal love to all I know in this upsetting time.
Andrew
Arnie Gibbons // 30 November 2008 at 4:26 pm |
Like Andrew, the facebook notification altered me to the sad news. Like you I knew Neil from a variety of intermittent encounters over several years. I think I first encountered him during the 97 General election when he was based in Cornwall. He was good company, both politically and socially.
I often liken the party to an extended family and Conference to the clan gathering.
When we meet in Harrogate or Bournemouth we’ll raise a glass.
We’ll miss him – and take care of yourself Anders
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