I was honoured to attend the ceremony at which Rosie Cooper was made an Alderman of the the City of Liverpool. The ceremony was very uplifting and touching.
It was back in the early 70s that I first encountered Rosie when she was a newly elected member of the council and at 22 the youngest female councillor anywhere in the UK.
Rosie is now Labour MP for West Lancashire and she will not mind me saying she has a well-deserved reputation for being a bit of a tough nut - mainly as an advocate for her constituents. She does not suffer fools gladly ("Why then", I hear you ask, "does she tolerate you?"....bit of a mystery that!)
It takes a lot for Rosie to show her emotions, but standing at the Town Hall addressing about 30 family and friends, as she received the Alderman's medal, there was a warble in her voice.
It came when she paid tribute to her parents and the debt of gratitude that she owed them - gazing as she did so, at her redoubtable father Bill who was in the front row.
With her voice breaking with emotion she said:"It’s great my dad is here today. The person standing in front of you is really him.
"I am everything he has taught me – he’s awkward, difficult and determined, and doesn’t do losing. It’s a great honour to be recognised, and I’m very proud of this city.”
Rosie was born to deaf parents and no doubt the fact that she often had to act as their advocate and mouthpiece in her childhood - running errands etc - no doubt laid the foundation for her political career.
Well her dad Bill did a good job. She has certainly never been afraid of speaking her mind - often even when it has not been politically expedient to do so.
If only there were more politicians like Rosie there would never be a dull moment!
Closure of the CUC in Liverpool - sad day
(Tue 03/01)
Banksy the religious bigot
(Thu 29/12)
The Big Yin is on his way... I can't wait
(Thu 10/11)
A tale of two museums
(Tue 30/08)
Rosie Cooper - we need more politicians like her
(Mon 06/06)
