TRIBUTES are being made to former Warrington Borough Cllr. Tony McCarthy who has sadly died.
Representing the Woolston and Rixton ward the well respected Cllr. was chairman of the borough’s development management committee for a number of years.
Former Labour colleague Chris Vobe said: “I’m deeply saddened that the wise and wonderful Tony McCarthy has left us. He was brilliant. A deeply committed Councillor, he was one of the few who could genuinely say they were missed after he stepped back from the noise and the furore of the Town Hall.
“Tony had a great sense of justice; a calm and measured persona that made him adept at charting choppy political waters. He was a guiding hand, a mentor, a natural negotiator – one who brought a much-needed dose of common sense and reality to the table. And he “got the politics” of things; he had his finger on the pulse and always called the big things right: Peel Hall. HS2. The closure of Arpley. Woolston High. He navigated every one.
“I was on his very first election leaflet! Standing at a crossroads, back to the camera, I was the “concerned local resident” discussing the issues of the day with my newly-announced candidate. Then I was his election agent – twice! Easiest job I ever had. He won, course he did; then he said it was down to me, but it wasn’t. Not really. It was all him.
“I’m going to miss our phone calls. We used to catch up every few weeks and set the world to rights. Sometimes, he’d happen upon an article in the local paper and he’d *have* to talk about it. Or despair. Or laugh. Because sometimes, in politics, that’s all you can do.
“Oh, he had some *brilliant* nicknames for the more ego-centric players on the field. Of course, they had no idea. One day, if you’re lucky, I’ll tell you who “Captain Peanut” was!
He introduced me to that immortal phrase “a head like an October cabbage”. I’m going to keep that one alive somehow. Somewhere. I might give it to a character I haven’t invited yet, in a book still to be written. It’s a great line. I think it deserves to be heard.
“Wherever he is now, I hope he’s enjoying the finest steak and chips in all the land. All those times we ate at The Raj, I only managed to persuade him to try curry once!
“Tony was one of a kind. His beloved Pat always called him “the big guy”. His children called him their hero. It wasn’t hard to see why. Rest in peace, my friend.
Former Lib Dem Leader Bob Barr said: “I am very sorry to hear about Tony’s passing. He was a true friend beyond his role as a very effective Committee Chair.
“You could always rely on Tony to put the well-being of Warrington and its people ahead of party politics.
“A true gentleman. I will miss him greatly.”
Deputy Mayor Cllr. Mo Hussain said: ” It’s clear he was not only a brilliant Councillor but a truly remarkable person who left a lasting impact on everyone who knew him. Your words capture his wisdom, wit, and humanity perfectly. He’ll be deeply missed. May he rest in peace.”
1 Comment
All of the above – What a nice man, taught me how to keep a cool head when on the planning committee (DMC) that he chaired especially after threats made by applicants whose applications were refused.
“Check your tyres he said to me, after one applicant pointed at him and said “I went to school with you and know where you live Tony”. Very thoughtful and measured unlike many…. the stories he could and will have told to Chris will probably fill a few volumes – can’t wait to read when the author pens “The life, times and threats to a councillor and how I survived the maelstrom”