ALASTAIR White had a long-standing passion for helping the developing world that was shaped by his childhood in Kenya.

Mr White, Banbury’s Green Party candidate for the 2010 Genral Election who has died from prostate cancer aged 71, worked as a consultant for international development agencies.

Born to Hilda, an art teacher, and Hugh, a science fiction cartoonist, his childhood in Kenya “set the arc of his life”, said his friend John Haywood.

Mr Haywood added: “Placed in an all-white boarding school, he ran away frequently to the bush.

“It was on these escapes that he encountered the tribal people whose plight informed his view of the world as unfairly divided.

“He dedicated himself to improving the lives of the world’s poorest and most socially deprived.”

Mr White studied languages at Jesus College, Cambridge, where he met his first wife, Ljiljana. They later divorced.

He also did a PhD on urban poverty in El Salvador, where he met his second wife Rita Saravia.

Mr White previously worked as a sociology lecturer at Stirling University and Sussex University.

Mr Haywood said: “He was resolved that aid must be directed towards projects which are sustainable by local people and be part of a long-term process for reducing social inequality.

“This view frequently brought him into conflict with the aid agencies for which he was working.”

He lived in Banbury from 1984 and in Kidlington from 2000.

During his election campaign – when he polled 959 votes – Mr White railed against inequality, saying humanity “must reverse this race to the bottom”.

Mr Haywood added: “Alastair was an exceptional man. He treated individuals with total respect, and he loved the company of his children. He also made a point of never missing Match of the Day.”

Mr White, who is survived by Rita died on November 15, and leaves five children and three grandchildren.

A service was held at Westmill Woodland Burial Ground on Monday, November 26.