My friend, Alan Davidson, was taken ill and died suddenly yesterday morning. I was shocked to hear the news this afternoon. Alan was just 43 years old and leaves behind his lovely wife
Anna, a BBC radio journalist.
Alan was a long-serving member of the Labour Party in Streatham. He used to work full-time for the Labour Party before moving into public affairs first for an agency and more recently for
Reed Employment. He was also a very active trade unionist. Alan was Labour to the core, believing that our party was the only way to secure the fairer society that he wanted to
see. He was one of those people you could rely on to come and help whenever we were out on the streets campaigning in elections or to make life better for ordinary people.
I last saw Alan on Wednesday last week. He had some new ideas on how to develop a new generation of council candidates that represent the whole of our community. I’d seen him the Sunday
before as well at the Remembrance Day service at Streatham War Memorial. It was a beautiful sunny morning and Alan, as was his way, had come wearing an eye-catching hat. He seemed in
the best of health and spirits on both occasions. It’s shocking to think he’s been taken from us so unexpectedly.
Those of us who knew and loved Alan are finding it difficult to take in this shocking news. He seemed too young, too healthy, too full of ideas and life to be taken from us. He was
warm, generous and thoughtful. He had plans for the future for himself and his wife that included hopes for a family of his own. All that’s been taken from him, and the rest of us are
left wondering how best to mark and celebrate this lovely man’s life. It’s hard for all of us, but most of all our thoughts are with Alan’s wife Anna, and his parents and close family
members. It’s always hard to say goodbye, but hardest of all when you weren’t expecting you’d have to.
Alan (pictured in the hat, above) represented Streatham Labour Party at the Remembrance Day service at Streatham War Memorial
| Matthew Salter - Message left at 09:33 am, Thu 29th Nov 2007 |
I am absolutely stunned. Alan was the first person I met when I came to Streatham CLP in 1999. I remember him now; bounding up the steps to my flat with a smile, an outstretched hand and a bunch of
Direct Mails for me to post in my street. He was always energetic, full of debate and the source of much advice. I have been out of the UK for a while and have not seen Alan since after the General
Election in 2005. He was one of the people I was most looking forward to sharing a beer and a chat with when I was next in London. I simply cannot believe that he won't be there; campaigning,
debating, encouraging, advising. It is a huge loss for Streatham CLP as well as a great personal loss for myself and all the many people who were lucky enough to call him a friend. |
| Steve Reed - Message left at 02:43 pm, Tue 27th Nov 2007 |
People may wish to know that Alan's funeral will be held on Friday 30 November at 9.30am at Lambeth Crematorium, Blackshaw Road, London SW17. Donations are invited in Alan's name to the British Heart
Foundation or the MS Society. Flowers may be sent to Co-operative Funeralcare, 153 Streatham High Road, London SW16 6EG. |
| Martin McEwan - Message left at 12:52 pm, Sat 24th Nov 2007 |
This truly is shocking news. I worked with Alan at Labour HQ and since in Streatham CLP, and he was a generous man, with his time, humour and thoughtfulness. We recently re-promised to have a long
overdue beer together, and sadly that will now never happen. I am currently working abroad so I will not be at Alan's funeral, though my wife will be there. I will, though, be thinking about him, and
the terrible loss his death brings. Cheers Alan, you were a great bloke and a good friend. We'll miss you. |
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