Tribute as longtime councilor Peter Abraham dies aged 84

Tributes have been paid to one of Bristol’s longest-serving councillors, Peter Abraham, who has died aged 84. Peter has spent more than half a century in local politics, including three terms as the city’s first mayor and as leader of the Conservative group on the city council.

He was first elected to represent Stockwood ward as a member of the Citizens Party in 1966. Peter spent eight years on Avon County Council before it was disbanded and returned to serve the people of Stoke Bishop as a Conservative from 1983 until 2021, when he was not chosen to stand for that year’s local elections.

During his 55 years in local politics, he sat on virtually every committee and decision-making body of Bristol City Council, as well as external organizations such as the Avon Fire Authority and the Avon & Somerset Police Panel. He has also chaired many iterations of local authority regulatory committees.

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Before moving to the mayoral system in 2012, he held various roles including deputy leader of the council and cabinet member for education and lifelong learning. He has also been Conservative Group Leader, Deputy Leader and Chief Leader over the years.

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Peter was appointed as an Honorary Councilor of Bristol City and County at an extraordinary meeting of the full council in July 2021. Cllr Richard Eddy (Conservative, Bishopsworth) said: “Peter’s over half a century of service to Greater Bristol is highly unlikely to ever happen again.

“He was elected in 1966, probably before most of the current elected officials were born. I remember inviting him to address the Bedminster Down Comprehensive Sixth Form debating society when I was 16.

“I served as fellow Conservative councilors in the 1990s, became firm friends, then was Deputy Conservative Leader for him and succeeded him when he retired as Conservative Group Leader. Peter became a notable lord mayor and advocate for Bristol.

“In his first term as Lord Mayor, the incumbents lived at the Manor for the duration of their term. Small in stature, Peter was a huge man.

“I’ve often said that he easily has the ideas and energy of two people half his age. Rest in peace. We send our sincere condolences to the family for a life well lived.” Peter is survived by his wife Pearl, son Christopher and granddaughter Mona.