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Eddie Barns obituary Eddie Barns obituary
(5 months later)
My friend Eddie Barns, who has died after a period of ill health aged 63, was a Labour councillor in Hackney, east London, and will perhaps be best remembered for his defiance of the Thatcher government's cuts, as he attempted to shield some of Britain's most deprived citizens and to save Hackney libraries from closure.My friend Eddie Barns, who has died after a period of ill health aged 63, was a Labour councillor in Hackney, east London, and will perhaps be best remembered for his defiance of the Thatcher government's cuts, as he attempted to shield some of Britain's most deprived citizens and to save Hackney libraries from closure.
He was active in Incapacity Action, a national campaign set up by disabled people protesting about the proposed cuts to invalidity benefit and the introduction of a fitness test based on a points system. Eddie fought cuts to the Freedom Pass (a travel pass for older and disabled Londoners) and the Taxicard scheme, which provides subsidised transport.He was active in Incapacity Action, a national campaign set up by disabled people protesting about the proposed cuts to invalidity benefit and the introduction of a fitness test based on a points system. Eddie fought cuts to the Freedom Pass (a travel pass for older and disabled Londoners) and the Taxicard scheme, which provides subsidised transport.
Eddie grew up in Dagenham, east London, in a working-class family and seized upon the opportunity of a post-16 education. He managed to gain legal qualifications and a master's degree in economic history. He used his legal skills to speak on behalf of the very poorest, forgoing a comfortable existence in a city law firm. Never forgetting his roots, Eddie spent his life fighting oppression and discrimination.Eddie grew up in Dagenham, east London, in a working-class family and seized upon the opportunity of a post-16 education. He managed to gain legal qualifications and a master's degree in economic history. He used his legal skills to speak on behalf of the very poorest, forgoing a comfortable existence in a city law firm. Never forgetting his roots, Eddie spent his life fighting oppression and discrimination.
His internationalism drew him to the plight of asylum seekers. He helped to found Hackney Migrant Centre, and after moving to Faversham worked for a charity, Kent Refugee Help, seeking the release of detainees from Dover Immigration Removal Centre.His internationalism drew him to the plight of asylum seekers. He helped to found Hackney Migrant Centre, and after moving to Faversham worked for a charity, Kent Refugee Help, seeking the release of detainees from Dover Immigration Removal Centre.
Eddie was a hopelessly loyal West Ham United fan and a useful footballer and tennis player himself. He was also quick-witted. Once while we were discussing the names given to killing a king (regicide) and a father (patricide), he was asked by my then girlfriend what name was correct for murdering a boyfriend. In my case, he considered it "justified".Eddie was a hopelessly loyal West Ham United fan and a useful footballer and tennis player himself. He was also quick-witted. Once while we were discussing the names given to killing a king (regicide) and a father (patricide), he was asked by my then girlfriend what name was correct for murdering a boyfriend. In my case, he considered it "justified".
His heroes were not only the great theorists of socialism, for he was unashamedly a socialist till his death, but also those who exposed and confronted the abuse of power whether in Northern Ireland, Nicaragua or Britain. Many lives are the better today for having known Eddie.His heroes were not only the great theorists of socialism, for he was unashamedly a socialist till his death, but also those who exposed and confronted the abuse of power whether in Northern Ireland, Nicaragua or Britain. Many lives are the better today for having known Eddie.
He is survived by his sister, Margaret.He is survived by his sister, Margaret.
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