Former mayor Roger Robinson has passed away

TRIBUTES were today (Tuesday) being paid to Alderman Roger Robinson – one of the longest ever serving councillors at the Town Hall – after the council was informed of his death.

He stood down at the last boroughwide elections and was among only 17 people ever to be given the title of Alderman in the borough, a rare honour which he received in his final months on the council.

Cllr Robinson has served for 58 years – first elected in 1964, the year that Goldfinger was released, the Post Office tower was completed and Harold Wilson became prime minister – and enjoyed coveted name recognition among residents, especially in the St Pancras and Somers Town ward.

He had said when he was given the Alderman title: “As I grew up in a political world due to members of my family being in parliament and local government, I saw the way forward for me as working in politics as a councillor, because you were bringing happiness and peace to many people who suffered, due to a way of life where there was no comfort at all, exacerbated by the actions of private landlords.”

He added: “I felt that I did my bit and there was, for me, a moral duty to help everybody and serve my com­munity, which was made up of all faiths, as best I could.”

One of his achievements as a councillor was to start the campaign for a Prisoner of War memorial, working with the New Journal to see the tribute installed in Camden High Street.

Council leader Councillor Richard Olszewski said: “Roger was truly a Camden institution. He was there at the very first meeting of Camden Council and is built into the foundations. He was there at the very first meeting of Camden Council and is built into the foundations. He was a man of passion and principle. A staunch fighter against fascism and racism, and a determined campaigner for disability rights.”

He added: “It is rare for a councillor to be loved by their constituents but Roger achieved that by working day and night to stand up for their interests. Roger will never be forgotten by Camden.”

Georgia Gould MP,  the former leader of the council, said: “Roger Robinson was a giant of Camden politics. Somers Town was his great love and he embodied the radical spirit of the community he tirelessly championed. Whether it was re-opening Somers Town post office, pushing for council housing improvements, supporting young people or ensuring disabled residents were heard in every part of the council, he never gave up on the causes he dedicated his life to.”

Ms Gould added: “He often spoke passionately about his life long opposition to racism and the far right and Roger has passed on the baton to all of us to work in his honour to work for a country where all our valued, able to thrive and no-one is left behind.”

Hampstead and Highgate MP Tulip Siddiq said: “I’m proud to have served with Roger on Camden Council when he was our chief whip. I’ll aways remember Roger as a dedicated and diligent public servant who loved Somers Town above anything else. He was personally very supportive and encouraging of me especially when I first stood as an MP.”

Gio Spinella, the former leader of the Conservatives on the council, said: “Roger was one of the ‘founding fathers’ of Camden, one of the first Councillors elected to the newly created Camden Council back in 1964. He knew the song and dance of council politics, he knew the exigencies of the borough and the demands and requirements of the role of the councillor.”

He added: “Such was the affection the Labour group had for him, he retained his status even when he voted in council against a motion on staying in the EU. A life-long Labour man and to the left of the party, he was able to rise above partisan and factional barriers and build relationships with councillors of opposing parties.