Tribute to Labour Land Campaign Chair Brian Hodgson
"Brian Hodgson, Chair of the Labour Land Campaign, died sudddenly in August 2007 from a heart attack," Dave Wetzel writes.
"Brian, a true friend of socialism and the ideas of Henry George, will be sadly missed, not only because of his immense contribution to socialism and the land tax campaign but because of his humour, his honesty and also because he was a smashing bloke.
"It was an honour to know and work with Brian. I first met him over 20 years ago in the barn of an Oxford comrade's farm where we had a public event discussing land policy, singing folk songs and reciting poetry, etc. In 2001 it was Brian's idea to conduct the Oxford land value experiment when he was a Labour Oxford County Councillor. He was helped by our Labour Land Campaign and more importantly by our Liberal Democrat and Green Party friends as well as through funding from the Lincoln Institute in the USA.
"More recently, and on a personal note, Brian introduced me to the annual Burford celebration of the Levellers who Cromwell had executed because they refused to fight in Ireland and wanted democracy with land reform.
"Brian was the Labour candidate in one of the Oxford seats for Parliament and typical of Brian he remained friends with his successful Tory opponent.
"Brian also reintroduced me to the joys of soccer - he was a loyal Charlton supporter/season ticket holder for 60 years and in recent years we attended a few games together, enjoying a pre-match meal in their restaurant with club directors overlooking the ground.
"We are all going to miss Brian terribly."