Kmflett's Blog

Bernie Grant d. 8th April 2000. Anti-racist, socialist, beard wearer.

I’m not in London today but if I was I’d be making the short way from my Tottenham residence to the old Tottenham Town Hall today to pay respects at the plaque marking the life of one of the great post-1945 political figures, Bernie Grant.

He died 26 years ago today after a period as leader of Haringey Council and then Labour MP for Tottenham from 1987, one of the first four black MPs to be elected in the modern era.

There is no question that Bernie made a significant impact on Haringey politics and well beyond which continues 26 years on. He was the first black leader of an authority anywhere in Europe and while the example has been far too slow to be followed it was a landmark.

His fight against racism and opposition to the Thatcher Government when he was Council leader again set a template

I was Chair of Haringey Trades Union Council throughout the period that Bernie was Council leader and MP.

I recall particularly Election meetings where in those days we would invite the Labour candidate only to speak. Bernie was an inspiring and indeed an idiosyncratic speaker. Throughout the period he was pursued by the tabloid press (fortunately it was well before social media) and particularly the S*n who labelled him ‘Barmy Bernie’. We were always on the look-out for ill-intentioned types at these kind of meetings keen to twist an off-cuff the remark.

My connections do go rather wider. His brother was a trade union colleague in telecoms (as was his partner) and like myself a cricket fan, neither of us for England…

We have to accept I think that political figures like Bernie Grant come along only rarely in each generation. Remembering him 26 years after his death is important not least for the motivation it should give to continue the fight now. And it certainly does need continuing

Some further detail on Bernie Grant’s background from FB posts

Monty as he was familiarly known to us was my first cousin. He like my father. Basil Barnett Blair, fought for the betterment of people. Monty (Bernie) was relentless, fearless and committed in standing up for people of all classes regardless of race, color or religion. In his private life he was the same person. Being an older cousin, Bernie was an example of kindness, humor, and loyalty. He mostly lit up the room with his smile and gapped teeth. He enjoyed family and family certainly enjoyed him. He is tremendously missed and his memory lives on not only in public life but greatly by his family and friends, whose lives he touched. To Sharon, Monty’s dear wife, my dear cousins and their families, other family members I send my love and continued blessings.

Mr. Keith Flett, thank you for honoring “one” of my favorite cousins. (hmm!) Bountiful Blessings to you, your family and the communities Monty served in.

Much respect,

Gweneth Blair- Bernie’s favorite cousin 

Charlotte NC

USA.

Denise McGuire

Uncle Basil was the General Secretary of the Teachers Union in Guyana and then the General Secretary of the TUC in Guyana Rosamund Grant Patrice Elonge Leyland Elonge Paula Grant Jennifer Hircock Philip Williams Charlie Bruce Raymond G Humphreys Philip Bowyer

Leyland and Bernie lived with Uncle Basil and his family when their parents were teaching “up country”. Until the nuns found then liming on the seawall and wrote their mother saying she needed to come back to Georgetown and keep them under control! Lovely memories xx