A friend and colleague

Published: 17 June, 2010

• MARTIN Davies’s tragically early death means that we have lost not only a hard working and thoughtful colleague with a razor-sharp mind, but also a good friend with a warm and fun-loving personality.

I have known Martin since he was elected a councillor for the then Fitzjohn’s ward in 1998, and remember first meeting him at an induction session for new councillors on the Saturday morning after the election.

It was immediately obvious that he was going places and that he would be a popular colleague with councillors across the political spectrum.

But it was over the last four years, when Martin served on the executive of Camden’s Liberal Democrat-Conservative administration, that we really got to appreciate his talents and personality to the full.

Martin was the ideally suited for the role of executive member for adult social care, given his background as chief executive of Age Concern Westminster, and inspired confidence and affection alike in his fellow executive members.

He skilfully steered through plans to make Camden’s homes for older people fit for the 21st century.

Martin once confided in me that he wished his colleagues didn’t trust him quite so much and that it would be good for him to be challenged more in his executive role – not something that many politicians could say!
Martin’s views and much-valued input were by no means limited to his own portfolio and you always wanted to know what Martin thought whenever a thorny new issue was being discussed: no one could ever accuse him of being predictable.

One of our great tests of our political colleagues is “would you enjoy having dinner together?” and that was certainly a test that Martin’s infectious laughter and quick wit meant he passed with flying colours.

Martin has gone far too soon, just when he was getting into his stride in his new role as leader of Camden’s Conservative group, and we shall all miss this wonderful friend and colleague more than I can say.
CLLR KEITH MOFFITT
Leader of Camden Liberal Democrats