Sir Simon Milton – A good friend, loved and respected

Published: 13th May, 2011
by TOM FOOT

COUNCILLORS observed a minute silence for Sir Simon Milton in City Hall following a moving reception for the former council leader on Friday.

Councillor Robert Davis, deputy leader of the council and Sir Simon’s partner of 23 years, said he was “touched” by the tributes, adding his death was “a loss to everyone”.

Sir Simon died after a short illness aged 49 on April 11.

Council leader Colin Barrow praised a “good friend… loved as well as admired and respected”.

He said: “He had a huge impact on our national life, on London, on Westminster and on this organisation. I shall remember his kindness, his courtesy, his intellect, his effectiveness and his calmness. These are not qualities always found in politicians, and almost never all in one person.”

He added: “These qualities made Sir Simon Milton one of the best political leaders of his generation, and enabled him to achieve more in his short time with us than the rest of us could aspire to in three lifetimes.”

Sir Simon led Westminster Council for a record eight years, was chairman of the Local Government Association and was chief of staff to mayor Boris Johnson.

He was knighted for services to local government in 2006.

Nickie Aiken, cabinet member for children, schools and families, said: “I will treasure many memories of Simon with my own children. They have felt his loss as we all have. This evening I pay homage to his parents and to the upbringing he enjoyed as it made him the man he was. I would also like to recognise Simon’s sister, Lisa, who with her gift of bone marrow gave him 12 years on this Earth which perhaps he may not have had. 

“On behalf of Westminster pupils, parents, teachers and the officers I pay tribute to the outstanding support and guidance Sir Simon Milton provided education in this great borough of ours.” She added: “He believed that every child no matter what their economic background deserved the best start in life.”

Opposition leader Paul Dimoldenberg added: “Sir Simon was an example to all politicians of how to get things done in difficult times. London will be a poorer place without his hand on the tiller at City Hall.”

Michael Brahams, ward member for Bayswater, said: “It is astonishing that he achieved so much before reaching 50, but even more so that he achieved this despite his frail health. He was a consummate politician and a warm-hearted human being and we will miss him greatly but we will never forget him in our heads or our hearts.”