In memory of Lord Paddy Ashdown

Politics is indeed a very tribal business, and tonight, my tribe is grieving. Paddy Ashdown was already a hero to me, but when I met him a few months ago I was in already in awe when he gifted me some time and some extremely kind, encouraging, inspiring and hilarious words. He delivered this pep talk with his trademark cutting wit, dry humour and gung ho attitude. So sane, so direct, so clear in his observations, so willing to help. You can see by my face how he had the power to just make a person feel fantastic and moreover, he made us feel brave. He made a point of introducing his amazing wife Jane, for whom we are all feeling so much tonight. He tried in vain to get her to join us in this photo, and his adoration of her was so evident. Paddy was a legend, his quirks are the stuff of folklore within our tribe and the world is richer for his service to it, both as a Marine and in politics. Crying as I write this, but if anyone deserves a really great rest, it’s him. I’ll always remember this last full moon of 2018 as Paddy’s moon, and I’ll whisper a prayer that we can all find some of the stuff that he was made of. He was the best of us.