Peter Abraham: Bristol City Council’s longest serving member has died

A city’s longest-serving councilor of 55 years who “saw through Bristol politics” has died aged 83.

Peter Abraham was first elected to Bristol City Council in 1966 for the Stockwood ward and resigned in 2021.

A “Bristol born and bred”, he has been mayor three times and was elected as a councilor in 2021.

Close friend and fellow councilor Richard Eddy said his passing marked “the end of an era”.

“Peter was small, but he was a giant,” he said.

“He was incredibly proud of Bristol, his home town – one of the historic Bristolians.

“He had more energy and ideals than two people half his age.”

Mr Eddy said he was “saddened” to hear the news of his death and explained that he had been “in poor health for a number of years”.

“(Politics) was a true labor of love for him,” he added.

Conservative councilor for Henbury and Brentry, Mark Weston, said Mr Abraham was “old” when he first came to the council.

“He went through the end of the Cold War, through the Thatcher years and saw through the lens of Bristol politics,” he said.

“The change he had seen in that time was phenomenal.

“That institutional memory that he had, that will be missed.

“It was truly a lifetime of service. An incredible achievement.”

Taking to social media, Bristol Mayor Paul Goggin said it was “very sad” news.

“My thoughts are with Peter’s family and friends at this difficult time,” he added.

Mr Abraham has served on almost every Bristol City Council committee, decision-making body and external body.

He was also a long-standing member of the council’s licensing committee.