Congress mourns the death of David Ervine MLA
8 Jan 2007
The Trade Union Movement in Northern Ireland mourn the passing of its good friend and comrade, David Ervine MLA.
Speaking after the announcement by Mr Ervine's family, ICTU Assistant General Secretary Peter Bunting said:
"David Ervine's sudden passing is a tragedy first and foremost for his family and we send out sincere condolences to his wife Jeannette, his two sons Mark and Owen. Their grief must be enormous and we can only offer our sincere sympathy to his wife, his family and his colleagues in the Progressive Unionist Party.
"David Ervine was one of the finest and bravest of his generation. His journey would have been an inspiration to more people in a fairer world, but that it inspired at least some to embrace change and progressive politics over the easy temptations of sectarianism was and is a giant monument to the man's decency and intelligence and his basic humanity.
"He never lost his anger, though, but he directed his rage towards the injustices that keep so many people across our society ignorant and powerless. He was a tireless advocate for dialogue, education and empowerment. He railed against slum housing, ghetto politics and casual scapegoating. He tried to rebuild the noble and necessary tradition of Labour politics in communities where demagogues exploit sectarianism and associate socialism with treachery. He crossed borders to challenge perceptions of his communities and changes hearts and minds. He excited possibilities in the people he communicated with.
"With his colleagues in the Progressive Unionist Party, he adapted the British Labour Party constitution, including the 'old' Clause 4, and dared to raise the banner of Labour. He lived like a true dissenter. He lived and preached his politics 'as if' this was a 'normal' society, 'as if' people could be changed by rhetoric rather than threat or fear, 'as if' people who were 'involved' once could change themselves and then change others.
"In short, David Ervine was an evangelist for secular change and a better life on earth. The torch he helped rekindle must be kept aflame and aloft. All working class people in Ireland and Britain have lost a true friend."
Ends