Councillor Duncan Fairbairn RIP

A very long-serving councillor who had worked for the people of Cumbria over four decades died on Tuesday from cancer at the age of 78.

Duncan Fairbairn was the representative for Thursby on Cumbria County Council and for Warnell ward on Allerdale Borough Council at the time of his death.

I remember him particularly as a very effective holder of the Schools portfolio on Cumbria County Council's cabinet during the 2009-2013 council and I recall him taking the trouble to keep me as a Whitehaven School governor and Conservative PPC for Copeland aware of what was really going on (insofar as the rules permitted, of course) during the labyrinthine negotiations between the Brown government and Cumbria CC over the "Building Schools for the future" application to rebuild Whitehaven School.

Duncan had a strong opinion about nearly everything and was never shy about letting you know exactly what it was. You always knew exactly where you stood with him, but he was always pleasant about it.

Tony Markley, also an Allerdale and Cumbria councillor, told The Cumberland News,

"Duncan was one of the first people I met when I came into being a councillor. 

He kept me right and taught me the ropes. He was an extremely knowledgeable person and dedicated to his area. 

"He was a wonderful man and he will be a big loss to the community." 

The leader of the county council's Conservative group, James Airey, said:

“Duncan was an excellent councillor and brought a wealth of experience and knowledge to the group. It was a privilege to have known and worked alongside him and my thoughts go out to his family at this sad time.”

Tony Annison, current leader of the Allerdale Conservatives, said that councillor Fairbairn was the reason he became involved in politics in the first place. He said:

“I am heart-broken. Duncan was a principled gentleman Conservative who mentored me and guided me. He continued to do so until very recently."

Other messages of condolence and appreciation were put forward on both sides of the political divide.

Rest in Peace.

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