Gladstone would have been proud

Feb 27 2013 by Our Correspondent, Birkenhead News

SATURDAY turned out to be a wonderful day. After canvassing in the Greasby by-election I travelled over to Seaforth.

For many a long day Brenda Murray, a remarkable 91-year-old, had been busily campaigning and raising money to commission a bust of William Gladstone to stand in the grounds of Our Lady Star of the Sea, Seaforth. On Saturday I was asked to unveil the bust.

I was bowled over by what Brenda had arranged. Gladstone's bust looks over to the site that once housed St Thomas' Church. Built by Gladstone's father, Gladstone longed for his father to leave the church to him.

Masses of people turned up, including the Lord Lieutenant, High Sherriff and several Mayors. Brenda had organised a wonderful celebration.

Brenda wanted the world to remember just how great Gladstone was – three times Chancellor of the Exchequer and four times Prime Minister.

Gladstone was pre-eminent in laying the foundations for the great Victorian age. Not a greatness made by war but by the richest economy in the world sharing its riches more fairly with ordinary people that ever before.

But of course Brenda has her eye on an even bigger prize than treasuring memories. She believes the development all over the Freeport has knocked the stuffing out of her beloved Seaforth.

The hope is that the event on Saturday will act as the first pebble falling in an avalanche to help revive a new sense of community in Seaforth.

Mr Gladstone would have been proud.