As I begin another working week defending housing possession proceedings in the County Court, I take Monday Motivation from the beautiful memorial held for Nicky Gavron, first Deputy Mayor of London, at the Guildhall on Wednesday January 29th.
The tributes from Nicky’s family, friends, and political colleagues from Parliament and London City Hall, were rich, generous and heartfelt.
I worked for Nicky when she was Deputy Mayor of London and the portfolio lead for Housing, and Children and Families.
Nicky’s whole life – personal and political – had been about fighting for better housing for children and families, alongside working globally to improve the climate and quality of the air that they breathed.
I will never forget Nicky’s regular refrains when doing battle with planners or developers over the design and layout of new housing developments in London:
“Children need play space!”
“Children are being squeezed off the streets!”
It was a privilege to work for Nicky and then to continue our friendship long after I had left London City Hall and right up until the end of her life.
London has lost a giant.
Nicky touched us all and left us with so much to carry forward in our own lives.
I will cherish Nicky Gavron’s memory forever.
