Council housing champion dies
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Alan Walter, the devoted tenant activist and chair of Defend Council Housing, has died, aged 51.
Friends and colleagues today paid tribute to Mr Walter, of the Peckwater Estate, north London, who had campaigned on housing issues since the 70s.
Austin Mitchell, Labour MP for great Grimsby, described him as the ‘inspiration and the driving force’ behind Defend Council Housing.
The group campaigns against the transfer of council homes to housing associations, and for direct government investment in council housing.
He told Inside Housing: ‘What he has done is draw what was a minority campaign into the political mainstream and get the backing of a substantial number of members of parliament.’
The campaign has had major successes in recent months, with both the prime minister and the housing minister promising support for a new generation of council homes, he continued.
He added: ‘It is particularly sad that – I think – we shall now win, he put us in that situation, and he won’t see the fruition of it.’
Candy Udwin, Mr Walter’s former partner and the mother of his son, Joe Udwin, 23, said he had died suddenly at his desk on Saturday evening, while working on the campaign.
She said: ‘I think his real legacy was that he convinced and inspired people to believe that they could fight to change things – that if you saw something that was wrong you didn’t have to put up with it.
‘And he always thought that you could do more than just do something about it – you could win.’
Mr Walter is survived by his partner Anne Drinkell and his son Joe.
A post mortem is due to be conducted this week.
A memorial service for Alan will be held on Monday 16 March, see here for more information
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Readers' comments (19)
clive.kiley1@ntlworld.com | 10/03/2009 0:46 am
Council Tenant Champion who inspired so many
A colossal pillar of support and inspiration to council tenants across the country. Who saw himself as a column in a colonnade of individuals within the defend council housing organisation.
A gentle giant in the social council housing spectrum, stimulating debate and resolute in his resolve to protect and enhance the lives of millions in the rented sector. His sudden death a shock to those who knew and admired him, at such times words seem so inadequate. His giant footsteps will be hard to fill, such was his dedication to his beliefs, shared by so many. Few can comprehend the tireless hard work that goes into running a campaign, organising conferences, workshops, editing newspapers and returning endless calls on his time with respect and unfailing politeness.
Respected and admired by so many, the loss to his partner and son, one can only imagine, but who will hold precious good memories of a person so many look up to and admired.Few make a mark on life, Alan left a world a better place for others to live in and his partner Anne Drinkell and mother of his son Joe, Candy Udwin, all must be proud of Alan who touched positively on so many lives.
Deepest sympathy and sadness from tenant groups in Waverley.Clive.kiley
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John Marais | 10/03/2009 9:52 am
There are several reasons why council housing is now firmly back on the agenda, having been prematurely written off a few years ago, and one of the main reasons is the persistent, passionate campaigning of Defend Council Housing, and while Alan was always the first to insist we are a collective group, he was especially inspirational, and not only always went that extra mile, but more like an extra marathon. Thousands of tenants across the country will recognise their debt to Alan, including Cambridge's Tenants Against Privatisation. We should mourn, but then carry on organising, and keep the flame alive!
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michaelbarratt | 10/03/2009 10:07 am
Alan's death is a devastating loss, my condolences to his family. Many hundreds of thousands of tenants and their families continuing to live in their council homes owe him an enormous debt for his tireless work and dedication to defending council housing
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Norman Adams | 10/03/2009 10:21 am
I would like to echo what as been written by John Maris and Clive Kiley, the fact that thousands of council homes remain in the public sector stands as a fitting tribute to Alan.
The campaign to ‘Defend Council Housing’ will continue.
The way to celebrate Alan’s life is to renew our commitment to DCH.
Northampton – Defend Council Housing
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Martin Togher | 10/03/2009 10:35 am
a sad loss, I didn't know him, but worked with DCH on a few occasions, he can be proud of what he started
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Terry J Edwards (MESH) | 10/03/2009 11:17 am
Alan was a great fighter for Tenants' rights and it so sad that he will not see his dream come true,which it surely will,thanks for all you have done over the years you will badly missed,our deepest sympathy to all his family .
Terry J Edwards Management Executive South Hackney.(MESH)
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John Taylot | 10/03/2009 11:40 am
As a tenant opposing transfer plans in South Cambridgeshire Alan Walters and the Defend Council Housing Campaign have been an endless source of information, inspiration and support. Alan has demonstrated what people can achieve if they work together for what they believe to be right and it is tragic that he will not see the fruition of all his efforts over the years as the pendulum swings firmly back in favour of council housing despite the best efforts of many 'housing professionals'and politicians who have taken every opportunity to demonize council tenants.
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Councillor Deborah Roberts | 10/03/2009 12:19 pm
A sad loss to the cause .
However many tenants have reason to thank Alan and Defend Council Housing and we owe it to him to keep up the fight .
Here in South Cambridgeshire we are doing this through the opposition of the transfer of South Cambridgeshire District Councils housing stock
to a HA by SCAT ( South Cambridgeshire Against Transfer ) a joint effort by tenants and Independent and Labour councillors.
Councillor Deborah Roberts Independent
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anna vine-lott | 10/03/2009 12:56 pm
I was privileged to meet Alan when I was part of a group from Cambridge. I am at one with many of the statements which have been made about him. When a shining light goes out, the world is a darker place. We must continue work as strongly and as passionately as he did. My personal condolences go to his partner and son, for their great loss.
Anna Vine-Lott
Tenant Rep, Cambridge
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Allan Challis | 10/03/2009 1:51 pm
I can only strongly agree with the sentiments expressed above. Whilst I never met Alan I was aware of the tremendous amount of work and dedication he devoted to the subject of tenants rights. His work has been a great inspiration to many and through him the subject of social housing has been kept alive and on the boil.
Alan's fight is not won. As we see from posts above tenants in South Cambs and many other areas are taking on the fight that he so valiiantly championed. I hope that his example stands as a blazing beacon to all groups fighting for their rights.
My sincere sympathy go to his partner Anne Drinkell, mother of his son Candy Udwin and their son Jo. Alan has left a fine inheritance in his far too short life. Our greatest tribute is to keep the campaigns going and win the cause wherever it raises it's head.
Allan Challis - Cambridge
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