It is with great sadness that Plymouth Labour announces that Eddie Rennie, who retired as a Plymouth Labour councillor at the recent local election, has died
Eddie was a councillor for Sutton and Mount Gould ward and had served for a total of 25 years.
“The group is in complete shock at this dreadful news,” said Cllr Tudor Evans OBE, leader of Plymouth Labour.
“Eddie was an integral part of the Labour group on the council for so many years. His passion, outside of his ward work, was for his work in Taxi Licensing and as chair of the Licensing Committee.
Eddie with his longstanding ward colleagues Cllr Mary Aspinall and Cllr Sue Dann
“Though Eddie enjoyed the fact that the city has a vibrant night time economy, he saw it as his duty to keep it safe for revellers and as compatible with a good quality of life for residents as possible.
“After a number of incidents where drinking glasses had been used as weapons, he introduced a policy around use of reusable plastic glasses, again with residents’ safety at the forefront of his mind.
“There probably isn’t a taxi driver in the city who doesn’t know Eddie, and he was the Chief Whip of the Labour group for 15 years.
“He was respected by colleagues across the council chamber, regardless of party, as honest and fair.
“Our thoughts are with his wife Claire and his family, he will be missed enormously.”
Sutton and Devonport MP Luke Pollard said Eddie, who died on Sunday 19 May, was “extremely well thought of”.
“I’m really quite shocked by the passing of Eddie,” said Luke.
“He always seemed so full of life and I know he was looking forward to the possibilities after his retirement from the City Council this year.
“Eddie was an ever-present figure in Plymouth Labour. He loved being a councillor and serving as Chief Whip on the Labour Group.
“Eddie was extremely well thought of in Sutton and Mount Gould, the ward he represented for many, many years.
“Claire, his family and friends are in my thoughts. Eddie will be missed.”
Eddie, who was 68, was an Army veteran who saw service in Northern Ireland as well as working for the council for a number of years.
