My friend John Davies, who has died aged 82, came to national attention in 1987 when, for the Labour party, he stood against Margaret Thatcher in her constituency during the general election. He succeeded in reducing her majority in Finchley, but, of course, the seat remained rock solid for the prime minister.
John also served for a time as leader of the Labour group in Barnet, north London, and thoroughly enjoyed fighting vigorously against the Tories, defying the usual political progression by becoming increasingly leftwing as he grew older. However, he left formal politics soon after he stood against Thatcher.
