Isle of Wight Green Party members are paying tribute to former MEP Keith Taylor who has died at the age of 69.
Keith was the Green Party MEP for the South East of England – including the Isle of Wight – from 2010-2019 and a Brighton and Hove City Councillor prior to taking up that role.
A passionate environmental campaigner
He was a pioneer and worked incredibly hard to grow the Green vote in the region and as the Parliamentary candidate for Brighton Pavilion, until Caroline Lucas became MP in 2010.
Described by The Guardian newspaper as “defying the stereotype of Green politicians as earnest or bookish academics” Keith was a passionate environmental campaigner and most recently the party’s spokesperson for animal rights.
Palin: Personable, caring and committed to the cause
Cameron Palin, East Cowes Town councillor and prospective MP candidate for the proposed Isle of Wight East constituency, said,
“Keith was such a selfless Green campaigner and politician, both here in the UK and across Europe. As MEP, Keith championed key issues such as animal welfare and LGBT rights and was firmly against fracking.
“He visited the Island on numerous occasions, including in 2018 when I met him. You could see how passionate he was about environmental issues and the Island. He was so personable, caring and committed to the cause.
“It’s not often you meet a politician like that – who reaches high office but yet cares so much about each community and their local issues. To date I still have many of the MEP reports and studies Keith commissioned and lead, something his successors furthered. Keith left such a positive impact on the party, a real legacy, and set us all high standards to try and live up to.”
James: He will be missed
Daniel James, ex-chair of the IW Greens, said,
“Keith was our Green representative in Europe campaigning on many issues important to Islanders, including the cost of ferry travel and animal rights.
“He made time to visit the Island and meet local people to hear their views. He will be missed.”
News shared by Vix on behalf of the Isle of Wight Green Party. Ed
