SALFORD MAYOR LEADS TRIBUTES TO FORMER SALFORD LIBERAL DEMOCRAT LEADER TURNED LABOUR MEMBER NORMAN OWEN WHO SADLY DIED AT THE WEEKEND

Salford Mayor, Paul Dennett, has lead tributes to former leader of Salford's Liberal Democrats 'Stormin Norman Owen' who it has been revealed, sadly passed over the weekend.

I think it is fair to say that Norman was the last and if truth known, only real opposition to Salford Labour over the years, his unique 'direct' style saw him become a regular thorn in their side spanning two decades.

During his tenure as leader, the party enjoyed a sizable chunk of Salford's political seats, with 10 councillors under his control. However, those glory days for the party were not to last, as after what can only be described as a political annihilation at the polls due to the parties association with the Conservative party during the short lived run at a coalition government during 2010-2015.

Norman decided to call time on his tenure as leader after loosing what was once considered a safe seat in Claremont for the Lib Dems at the 2012 elections.

More misery was to follow for Norman the day after as he lost out on becoming the first elected Mayor of Salford to Labours Ian Stewart.

Since that time his former party have languished in the polls both nationally and locally, seemingly never to see a return to any kind of power locally, a former shadow of what they once were.

Norman earned the moniker 'Stormin Norman' due to his high energy outburst during council meetings, but rather ironically it was a name he did not like to be known by, in fact some say that he saw it as a slur against him.

His anger with Labour allegedly spilled out during a fiery argument over student tuition fees, is said to have once resulted in a 'skuffle' with Labour Councillor Bill Hinds in a corridor at the town hall, reportedly the pair had to be separated before it escalated further. In another twist of irony, both he and Councillor Hinds would go on to become good friends bore out of a mutual respect for each other.

After leaving The Liberal Democrats, Norman remained politically active at local meetings where he would regularly use his voice to challenge the same local councillors who had ousted both himself and his colleagues.

It came as a bit of a political shock when a few years later it emerged that Norman had come to join the very same Salford Labour party which he had so fiercely battled against for the majority of his political career. His decision he said, was fuelled by having been let down by his former party during their short term of office, also because of their u-turn on tuition fees, something which Norman was passionate enough about to roll up his shirt sleeves and raise his fists.

During the 2019 elections Norman stood for Labour in the Worsley ward against the conservatives Robin Garrido but he was unable to take the Tory safe seat.

I spoke to him about it personally afterwards and he had not let his loss phase him, as he revealed his real aim and dream was to once more take a seat in either his beloved Claremont or in his home ward of Weaste & Seedley, where he had remained politically active and as outspoken as ever on local matters.

Norman was a well known and well respected figure within Salford, his sometimes abrasive attitude was also well documented but his commitment and years of dedication to the people of this city served it well, he was a true community champion and his reputation for getting things done were both undeniable and unquestionable.

He was lost in the wild for a time but he eventually found his home in the least expected of places, The Labour Party.

Norman was a rarity in politics in being a man of his word and he would go to great lengths to ensure that what he said he would do would happen, and with his non nonsense direct attitude to things he often succeeded more than not.

He did once tell me that his loss in 2012 had affected him more than he had imagined. He told me he had become distanced from politics for a short while but decided to get back up and carry on his fight with a party which he said reflected his beliefs more than the Liberal Democrats were doing.

Salford Mayor, Paul Dennet, said of him in a party communique:

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"Colleagues will all known that Norma was passionate about the City and the people of Salford and worked tirelessly to support residents and communities across out City.

2My thoughts and Prayers are with Norman's family and friends at this time, he will sadly be missed by many and forever in out thoughts."

 

Adding on Twitter:

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"Norman was a great character, a formidable campaigner & deeply passionate about Salford & it's people, he will truly be missed!."

Salford and Eccles MP, Rebecca Long Bailey, said:

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"Sad to hear of the passing of Salford stalwart Norman Owen. He was a tireless campaigner, councillor and parliamentary candidate.

"Funny, fearless and one thing was clear: he loved the people of Salford.

"My deepest sympathies are with his family."

 

Norman was a huge supporter or Rebecca during her election campaigns and once told me that he had finally found in Rebecca, someone who had restored his faith in politics. However his attitude towards her would not long after change as he declared publicly that she was unfit to represent Salford as it's MP after a change of heart.

Political Activist, Joe O'Neil spoke of the respect he had for Norman:

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"Great days with Norman Owen,we never saw eye to eye but he had my respect,a Salford Politicion who will be sadly missed, RIP."

The Green Parties, Bryan Blears, nephew of former Salford MP Hazel Blears said:

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"When I stood for the Green Party in Salford, one of the people who encouraged me was Norman Owen who ran against my Aunt in past elections.

"Sad to hear of his passing; he was a good listener and cared about Salford."

We have been told that Norman had been ill for sometime before his passing.

Our thoughts are with both Norman, his wife Barbara and his family and friends this evening.