Full council meeting hears emotional tributes to 'remarkable leader and good friend' Ian Brookfield

Mayor Councillor Dr Michael Hardacre led the tributes to Councillor Brookfield, who joined the Labour Party in 1990 and was first elected to the council in 1995 as member for Bushbury.

He later represented Oxley and Fallings Park and served as mayor from 2015-16, becoming leader in 2019.

This year’s May elections saw Councillor Brookfield re-elected to his Bushbury South and Low Hill seat.

Born and raised in Liverpool, proud Everton supporter Councillor Brookfield first trained as an auxiliary nurse in a mental hospital before becoming a qualified nurse working in hospitals across his home city and it was during this time that he met his wife Paula, who was a ward manager.

The couple, who moved to Wolverhampton more than 30 years ago, had two sons together, Paul and Tony.

After joining the local Labour Party, both he and Paula eventually became councillors, with Paula, who is cabinet member for governance and equalities, currently also representing the Bushbury South and Low Hill ward.

Councillor Dr Michael Hardacre said: “Ian Brookfield was a former mayor of this city, and was somebody who realised the importance of this role and what a force for good it could be in terms of celebrating our diverse communities and raising money for worthy causes.

“The example he set in carrying out his mayoral duties is one that has inspired many of us who have worn the chains of office since.”

Deputy mayor Councillor Linda Leach, said: “There are many that have passed through this chamber that leave their mark, a memory, a smile or a good speech.

"You will all have your own special memories of Ian that are personal to you, so I would encourage you to share them and celebrate all that he was and all that he stood for.

"I would like everyone to think about his life and his unique contribution to this very chamber, to our political group, to this council and to this city.

“I say unique because he was. He was funny and he was quick-witted, but equally he was smart. And political with a capital P.

"I think we can all agree that politics is about people and Ian was all about people.

"He was known for his wit and could be a real wind-up merchant who would have us crying with laughter even if the council debate went on until 1am.

“Ian was only our leader for a relatively short time, but what an impact he had on all of us.

"He embraced us all, encouraged us to speak out, and his door was always open.

"I will always be grateful to Ian for believing in me and giving me the opportunity he did to be part of his cabinet.

“What I most admired about Ian was his ultimate love for Paula, and he was never afraid to show us this.

"His other love was his boys who he was very proud of. Family was so important to Ian, but he also loved Wolverhampton and wanted the best for the city he loved to see thrive.”

Councillor Steve Evans, cabinet member for city housing, described by Mayor Hardacre as Councillor Brookfield’s closest political compatriot, said: “Tonight I would like to speak about Brooky the politician.

"There will be plenty of time for the personal tributes, but without doubt, you always know when somebody is quite special because they always say ‘no – I’m not special!’

“When I first met him he did start sharing a cigarette, and when I last saw him we shared a cigarette, or as he would say, ‘come on mate, let’s have a bifter’.

"He was down-to-earth, and there’s not many people I have met who are academic and streetwise. They are usually one or the other at best.

"I used to say, much to Paula’s annoyance, ‘mate, you are one of about three people I have met who is streetwise and academic’. And then she would tell me off for making his head a little bigger.

“But he did stand out from the crowd. And did he do us proud? Of course he did.

"Sometimes it’s the little things that can make a big impression. Campaigning is hard work, but whenever I went campaigning with Brooky I enjoyed it and I always learnt something.

“Of course he talked about the opposition in a general vein, ‘can’t let the Tories be in control mate, they’ll destroy everything!’ This was part of my learning.

"Nothing made me more proud when he won the vote to be leader, as he’d always wanted to be leader.

“This wasn’t for personal gain, this was for the greater good. He wanted to make a difference. He never gave up and he always tried to find a way.

"Thank you Ian for all that you gave us and thank you for the legacy that you have left us,”

Councillor Bhupinder Gakhal, cabinet member for visitor city said: “Ian Brookfield was a leader with remarkable leadership qualities. A man with a vision. A man who believed in equality and diversity and led by example.

"If we cast our minds back to the pandemic, our leader was at the heart of everything, from making food parcels to delivering them. He didn’t just talk the talk, he walked the walk.

“Our prayers and our thoughts are with Paula and the family.

"And let’s not forget Ian’s close friends who are sitting with us tonight as they were just like family to him.

"We are his cabinet, his Labour group and we will deliver his dream and his vision for Wolverhampton. He will always be in our hearts.”

Councillor Louise Miles, cabinet member for jobs and skills, said: “I have many memories of Ian Brookfield, both as a councillor and as a leader, but also as a friend in the almost 30 years that I knew him.

"Right from the start he showed a tremendous commitment to children and young people, something that he continued to show throughout his time on the council and particularly as leader.

“Reading through press releases and emails in recent weeks about summer activities and opportunities for children and young people, along with the tremendous success of the Wolves at Work programme, both are in themselves a tremendous tribute to his work here.

“Thank you Ian for everything that you have done for this city, and particularly its young people. And thank you also for your many kindnesses to me personally.”

Councillor Anwen Muston said: “Ian held equality very dear to his heart and I first remember meeting him at Wolverhampton Pride when he was mayor.

"He stopped for the social afterwards up in Pride House, which has since been pulled down, and sent his mayoral team home before saying he was stopping right until the end with Paula.

"That was the first time I had seen a mayor embrace equalities like that.

“I will always remember that he stood out because he wanted to stop and join in and talk to the people who were there.

"I was proud when he became leader as he continued to embrace equality. Rest in peace Ian.”

Councillor Qaiser Azeem said: “I worked for just over two years with Ian, but it doesn’t matter if it was two years or 20 years.

"He was a people person and he believed in how we communicate and how we relate to one another.

"His legacy will remain with us and I think everything he spoke about for the city will stay with us for many years to come.”

Councillor Zee Russell said: “I first met Ian at Hickman Park when he was mayor. He was lovely and he made everyone who came across and spoke to him feel really welcome and at ease.

"It was from there that my journey as a councillor started, and I have to thank Ian for having faith in me when I had none in myself.

“I would like to put on record my immense thanks for someone who I see as the ‘Mr Nice’ of politics who always tried to be fair to everyone.

"If we can build on what Ian has already laid the foundations for, then it will be a great legacy for a great leader.”

Councillor Jacqui Sweetman told members: “I first came across Ian when he crashed into the Civic Centre in 1990 with Paula, and it was like a breath of fresh air.

"They came with this kind of ‘Liverpool chutzpah’ and I saw the impact they had and loved them immediately.

"When he first became elected as leader I went up to him and said ‘I didn’t vote for you Ian’ because at the time I wanted a woman to be leader.

“Then I said ‘if Paula had stood I would have voted for her’ and he told me I was a cheeky mare.

"There was all kinds of things that Ian and I didn’t agree on but we were always honest about it. This was a man who could take challenge and turn it into friendship. He could take discord and turn it into accord.

“That’s how he created the strength within the Labour group that he did. It was that same ability to create alliances that helped him create our really inclusive cabinet, which is extraordinary.

"Ian was always a man first and that was how he led the way."

Councillor Sue Roberts said: “Ian had got a character and personality that rubbed off on people.

"The first time I ever met Ian was at Low Hill Community Centre and all the housing tenants knew him and went up for a banter with him.

"He’d got time for everybody. That’s the type of politician, the type of councillor, that you want to see out there.

“He inspired so many young people through his work with them and he gave them hope, so we need to keep his legacy going.

"Rest in peace Ian. We will maintain the work that you have done and we will make it a long legacy.”

Councillor Chris Burden, cabinet member for children, young people and education, said: “When I first met Ian properly it was in Fallings Park where we had met to do some door-knocking.

"We were about to start and then Ian said ‘no, we can’t start, we need to have breakfast’ and when I asked what he meant he said ‘don’t worry, it’s vegan’, which turned out to be black coffee and a cigarette.

“Ian really did believe in people and he broke records with his cabinet. He took chances on people that others wouldn’t have done. And he always stuck up for the people that needed it.

"My memory of Ian is that he always stuck up for the underdog without fail and without prejudice, even when the odds were stacked against it. We have lost a huge ally to Wolverhampton.”

Councillor Phil Bateman said: “There have been some fine tributes tonight and some wise words about separating out the politics from the person.

"Councillor Ian Brookfield was a man with a huge love of life and a huge set of goals, a man that you could like and maybe have an argument with, but one that you could never ignore.

“I’ve been lucky in my political life to meet some big characters, and I put Ian up there amongst those. He strode the stage not just here in Wolverhampton but across the region.

"I wish we could have experienced more years, but Ian has left us with a really good, solid opportunity.

“He has left us with his ambition, his passionate thoughts on life, his great love of his family and the need for us to love the people and the children of Wolverhampton, not just now but in years to come.

"Ian, you made your contribution to this city, to this little part of Great Britain, and you’ve earned your rest wherever that may be. We have been lucky.”

Councillor Alan Butt said: “When I first became a councillor in 2018 I was very pleased to support him when he decided the time was right to throw his hat in the ring and stand for leader.

"Ian did a fantastic job and he will be remembered as a very passionate speaker, people-focused, outspoken and an equalities champion. I loved the man. Rest in peace Ian Brookfield.”

Speaking from the opposition benches, Councillor Paul Singh said: “I don’t have any stories about campaigning with Ian and I never shared any politics with him, but I certainly knew the person who was Ian Brookfield.

"I remember the many committees we sat on together and he certainly had a wicked sense of humour. In fact, some of the things he said I can’t actually share with full council today.

“He loved football and we saw a few matches together. He was a man you could learn from, even as a member of the opposition.

"I’m really happy that I knew him and that I shared some of the journey with him.”

Conservative group leader Councillor Wendy Thompson said: “The whole of the group would like to express every sympathy to Paula and the family.

"I was incredibly devastated when I heard the news. At 57 nobody should go.

"Ian was a very vibrant person who filled this council chamber with his sincerity and his beliefs, and he showed great strength in his views about what he wanted for the good of Wolverhampton.

“He fought very much and very vigorously for his point of view and therefore it is a tragedy that he has gone.

"It is a tragedy for his family first and foremost because families do matter, and Ian got that absolutely right. Families are far, far bigger than politics.”

Acting council leader Councillor Stephen Simkins, cabinet member for inclusive city economy said: “Ian was a giant of a man and a giant of a politician, and he will always be remembered that way.

"He was an inspiration and he and Paula were a formidable team together.

“Ian’s passion for Everton Football Club was second to none, and their motto is ‘Nil Satis, Nisi Optimum’ which means ‘Nothing but the best is good enough’, which is how we should remember him.

"He always used to say that we would meet the challenges of this city head on, and he was uncompromising with the big issues. He was a great father to this city.

"My old mate, I will never forget you, and I’ll never forget what you have done for me and this city.”

The meeting concluded with all members joining in a minute’s round of applause in tribute to Councillor Brookfield.