A good man as well as a good politician': Tributes to retiring Nigel Rock, long-standing councillor in the Southam area
Tributes have been paid to long-standing councillor Nigel Rock who has announced his retirement from local government.
Nigel has stood down from being the Stratford district councillor for Bishops Itchington, Fenny Compton and Napton, after more than 20 years of service to the ward in its various forms.
The 74-year-old said that ongoing health challenges have made him take the decision to not do another year as a councillor (from April to May) because he didn’t want his constituents “to not get full value from him” .
In the General Election in 2010, Nigel also stood as the Liberal Democrat candidate for the Kenilworth and Southam parliamentary seat, coming second to Sir Jeremy Wright.
Since then, the two have had many political dealing with one another, particularly in Cllr Rock’s role as the district council’s deputy leader and as its lead on HS2.
In his weekly column which he submits to The Courier and Weekly News, Sir Jeremy said: “The political world is adversarial.
"Most politicians join political parties and then define themselves against other parties, and their candidates in election contests.
"All of this inhibits our capacity as politicians to pay tribute to our political opponents when tribute is justified, so let me do just that.
"Having worked with Nigel on a number of issues on behalf of constituents we have both represented, I know he has been everything we should want our politicians to be – dedicated, thoughtful, persistent and effective.
"I have never doubted that he has been in politics to serve the interests of those he represents, not his own interests.
"He is kind and decent - a good man as well as a good politician.”
Sir Jeremy added: "You may be reading this piece thinking it is rather unusual. It is, but it really shouldn’t be.
"The truth is that we politicians admire our opponents more often than you would think.
In response, Nigel said: “I read Sir Jeremy’s complimentary article about me with some surprise but with considerable humility.
"As he has pointed out, we have our differences, but we can set those aside to work together in the interests of all.
"We can look across the Atlantic to see a very divisive turn of politics which I fear we must not import into this country.
"An ability to appreciate another’s position and work with together for the benefit of individuals and communities is the essential message from Sir Jeremy and one with which I agree.
“Thank you, Sir Jeremy.”
With Nigel’s resignation, a by election for the Bishops Itchington, Fenny Compton and Napton ward on Stratford-on-Avon District Council will take place on Thursday May 7.
For more information visit https://www.stratford.gov.uk/news/index.cfm/item/138737