Mike Cox's tribute to Tony Bonner

4.20.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Sun 27th Sep 2009

Tony Bonner, who died on September 10th, 2009

Mike Cox has paid a glowing tribute to long standing Hillingdon Liberal Democrat Tony Bonner. Tony suffered a terrible stroke in June which affected him very severely and he died on September 10th. At his funeral on September 24th, many members of the Liberal Democrats joined the family to pay tribute to a man who was warmly regarded by all. Councillor Mike Cox penned these words to sum up our thoughts.

Hello Tony (where ever you are now)

Or should I say "Elo there, Come in" as you always used to greet me on the steps of No 28 Westbury Close

It's a funny thing I can't remember when I first met you.

I first heard of you was when Tony Little used to effuse about how much work this chap from Ruislip had put into trying to get elected in Harlington in 1986. He got in; You just missed out.

By 1990 you were at the forefront of the campaign to retain the seats we had. You stood for Deansfield one of our held wards alongside Ric Wegener.

I remember that night vividly. While most of us slumped in despair at losing all our seats while you were busy doing your job as agent checking and rechecking results.

Throughout all this time you were the Secretary to the Ruislip Northwood Party. A position you made your own. You were respected, thoughtful and efficient. You always had a kind word to say.

By the General election of 1992 you were our election guru. I believe you were agent to your old friend Harry Davies. However it was another big blow. We were pushed us into 3rd place. Many people give up at this stage but not you Tony. You would just suck on your pipe and get on with it.

Two years later in 1994 with a candidate short in our top target ward of Cavendish you put yourself forward. This is when I witnessed the inner cunning within you Tony. After years keeping my head down I had been goaded by a friend to stand where I lived at the time in Ruislip. I went to the AGM where candidates were being chosen. You pushed for me to stand in a winnable ward not the desperately unwinnable old Ruislip ward but I refused. So when the meeting agreed I could stand in Ruislip you leapt up and said "On the proviso young man that you join the executive".

When I became the new Chair a year later I remember being concerned that I had not upset any of the "Old Guard".....and yes Tony you were part of the old guard then. I need not have worried. You were encouraging, helpful and positive throughout.

Since then you have been an integral key part of my life as I know you have been to many others. Utterly dependable, fiercely loyal and a thorough gentleman in everything you did and said.

In the 1997 election we worked closely together. I thought we were a pretty good team. Our local result was rubbish of course ... we were getting used to that weren't we? I do vividly remember cherishing the Portillo moment in your front room though. I have so many memories of sitting and enjoying a chat with you on your sofa or at your dinner table and occasionally watching high political drama unfold on election night parties at 28 Westbury Close.

I hope I am not making you out to be an easy going doormat. God forbid! You had strong opinions and usually ones that many people disagreed with.

In the 1998 local elections we campaign hard against Labour wanting to build houses on local Green fields. It helped us win back seats in Cavendish but you were doggedly opposed to our stance. "Young people deserve decent homes" you insisted. It was part of your charm and your character that you accepted the majority view even when you were implacably opposed.

Before 1998 another not so young man from the BBC, a certain Pete Dollimore, came on the scene with fancy ideas about leaflet design and printing. I remember you didn't think much of this at the time. Did you Tony? To ensure more people actually absorbed our message he preferred few words and big pictures (the tabloid approach). You on the other hand preferred your beloved Guardian - thoughtful and intellectual. We compromised. Pete produced the Focuses and you produced the members' newsletters and what a good job you both made of each.

Despite these initial differences I know you came to value and appreciate Pete's ideas and contribution. After Brenda passed away you became the best of friends sharing many a Sunday pint and dinner of Beef and Yorkshire pudding.

As secretary to the local party you were for years its back bone and for a while, when Brenda was ill, we had a glimpse of life without Tony Bonner. I remember you apologising for letting us down but that your first duty was to Brenda. Fancy apologising Tony! When did you ever let us down?... NEVER!

It was about this time you spent a lot of time putting forward our views on proposed boundary changes. Your work was meticulous and thorough. Virtually all our ideas were adopted by the Electoral Commission - a lot of the credit for which was yours.

In 2002 we ran our most effective campaign yet getting 7 Cllrs elected. It was quite an achievement but one which could so easily have been different without your diligence and your thoroughness. While at the count we were getting increasingly hopeful of winning Manor from 3rd place when we had the terrible news that Cavendish had fallen to the Tories. That was until your eagle eyes and meticulous checking revealed 99 Lib Dem votes bundled in with the Tory votes. Thanks to the Tony Bonner transfer of 198 votes we ended up keeping 2 of the 3 seats in Cavendish. All thanks to you Tony.

A year later we won a by election again from 3rd place and you took quite a shine to our candidate Oliver Curley. He was a passionate left winger who you so much enjoyed debating with. When he lost his seat in 2006 and lost his job and finally his home you did not hesitate to open up your home to him as a temporary refuge. Friendship and compassion were part of your DNA.

Tony I have already mentioned the years of service as Secretary you did for us. After Brenda died you picked up the challenge of Membership Secretary. But let's not forget the other things you did for us as well.

You were an election agent; the 200 Club organiser; the printer of 100's of thousands of leaflets; a Director of our print company; a Distributor to deliverers; an individual deliverer whenever we had gaps in the network (a frequent event!); a Cheese and wine fund raiser; a Returning Officer for internal elections in Hillingdon and beyond; Constitutional expert ... we have to read the damn Constitution now rather than say - just ask Tony! A Cowley Street volunteer where I know you are missed ...the list goes on and on. You once said to me that nobody is irreplaceable. You might be right but, good grief, you could be the exception.

Over the years Tony you have been far more than a party colleague.

You have been our source of advice and help;

You have been our confidante;

You have always encouraged us;

You have never complained or criticised us;

You have always worked tirelessly for me, the Hillingdon Lib Dems and the party nationally.

Above all you have been a very very dear friend.

I will miss you terribly as I know many others will too.

God bless you Tony. May you rest in peace.

Mike Cox