It was a shock to hear of the untimely death last week of former Cllr Brian Hodgson whom I shared the county council chamber with for many years.

He was a genuine progressive whose radicalism was founded on traditional Labour values of peace and social justice.

While his strong views, for example on nuclear disarmament and land value tax, may well have put him at odds with New Labour (and riled many a Tory opponent), it won him many friends and supporters on the green-left. Myself included.

His years as a college lecturer gave him ample opportunity to hone his natural skills as an orator.

He was a passionate, compelling and knowledgeable speaker whose enthusiasm was infectious.

I am one of many who learned a lot from Brian.

He may have retired from lecturing years ago but, to the very end of his life, he continued to teach.

CLLR CRAIG SIMMONS, Leader, City Council Green Group