13th April 2024
Richard's early work - On Looking Through My Poetry Book (1957)
He appeared in many of the early school plays, including:
Geoff Puryer writes:
Perhaps Richard's earliest claim to fame was to star as Joseph in the 1951 Pinner Road Nativity Play!
Tony Blair’s tribute to Lord Richard Rosser
Richard was one of the most kind, generous and thoughtful people I ever came across in politics. He was a member of Labour’s NEC for many years and played a critical role in ensuring the Labour Party and the Labour government were working together constructively. He was brave, always firm in his views, intelligent in debate and as a result highly respected even among those who disagreed. He was a huge help to me in my years as Labour leader. My deepest condolences to Sheena and all his family.
Tony Blair's tribute HERE (external site)
TSSA tribute to Lord Richard Rosser
It is with great sadness that we must inform you that Richard Rosser, our former General Secretary, passed away on Wednesday 10 April.
Richard served our union as General Secretary between 1989 and 2004, becoming the second longest serving General Secretary in our history. Richard served and stabilised our union over a turbulent time which saw the privatisation of our railway network. Richard is well loved by our members and by countless workers in the transport and travel trade whose lives were improved by his steadfast determination to raise the standards of all working people. Richard was known as a kind, decent and honourable man. In his quiet way, he was a giant of our movement.
His dedication to improving the lives of workers in the transport and travel trade touched countless hearts. He will be deeply missed by all of us at TSSA. RIP.
TSSA tribute HERE (external site)
Keir Starmer's tribute to Lord Richard Rosser
Lord Richard Rosser will be missed greatly by all who knew and worked with him.
A lifelong Trade Unionist and Labour man, he rose up through the TSSA, becoming the General Secretary. A persuasive and adept negotiator he improved the lives of working people both within his union and outside it.
He was a devoted servant of the Labour Party, and his work on Labour's National Executive Committee, including chairing the Party was pivotal in the success of the Labour Government elected in 1997.
Elevated to the Lords in 2004, Richard gave 20 years of loyal service in the House of Lords, including serving as a shadow minister, where his personal support and kindness to me as a new MP and Shadow Minister I am personally grateful for.
All of our thoughts are with Richard's wife Sheena and his family and friends at this difficult time.
Keir Starmer
Leader of the Labour Party
Wikipedia entry HERE (external site)