Tributes to a ‘firebrand who fought for justice’
TRIBUTES are being paid to former councillor and lord mayor of Cardiff Jacqui Gasson, who died on Sunday night.
Ms Gasson was a Liberal Democrat councillor for Caerau and was first elected on to Cardiff council in 1988, but lost her seat in 2012. She served as lord mayor from 2004-05.
Former council leader Rodney Berman paid tribute to his colleague and friend.
He said: “I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Jacqui Gasson, who truly was a stalwart member of the Liberal Democrat group in Cardiff for many years.
“She was very much a community champion, who always spoke up strongly for the people she represented.
“She was elected to serve the Caerau ward in Cardiff for an incredible 24 years and was so proud to be the first person ever elected anywhere as a Liberal Democrat, following the merger of the SDP and Liberal parties in 1988.”
Recently Ms Gasson had suffered from poor health and problems with her lungs.
In 2004, she was the first-ever Liberal Democrat to be elected as lord mayor of Cardiff.
Councillor Berman said: “I’ll never forget her first meeting in that role when she firmly exerted her authority on assuming the chair of the council.
“Russell Goodway, who had just been deposed as council leader, was attempting to cause a degree of procedural mischief but Jacqui was having none of it.
“She quickly rose from her chair and halted him in his tracks, declaring, ‘Councillor Goodway, you know perfectly well that when I stand up in this chamber you sit down!’”
When first elected as an opposition councillor, she raised concerns about problems in the city’s social services.
Cllr Berman added: “I also remember her speaking vey powerfully at a Liberal Democrat conference on her traumatic experience as a victim of rape, showing that she was never one to shy away from difficult topics.
“Jacqui was a firebrand who very much challenged injustice. She will be sorely missed.”