Tributes have flooded in for ‘formidable’ Stockport councillor Sheila Bailey, described by colleagues as as a ‘titan’ of local politics who ‘never stopped fighting’ for people. A Labour politician with a passion for ‘housing, parks and people’, Coun Bailey was first elected to represent Edgeley and Cheadle Heath in 1990, later serving as a cabinet member.
A lifelong Stockport resident, she was married to Philip Harding - also a long-serving councillor before his retirement in May - as well as being a devoted mother to Nikki and a grandmother. Her passing on Wednesday, aged 74, has been met with shock, sadness and disbelief by fellow councillors across the political spectrum.
Councillor Elise Wilson, leader of Stockport’s Labour group led the tributes to her late colleague in an emotional statement. She said: "Sheila Bailey was a life force, an incredible woman, a formidable politician and a supportive friend. An inspiration. I simply cannot believe she is no longer with us.
READ MORE : Stockport Council release statement after 'force to be reckoned with' councillor Sheila Bailey dies
"Her devotion to her family exceeded even that selfless dedication to the Labour Party. I can't begin to imagine the loss of their grandmother, their mother and the wife of our friend, Philip.”
The former council leader added that Coun Bailey had, for all her life, been a presence in the Stockport Labour ‘family’, ‘using her wisdom, her passion and her dedication in the true cause of civic duty’. "Sheila taught me the importance of finding a way to do the right thing, to do the work, to remember who you represent and never ever stop fighting for something if it will improve people's lives,” said Coun Wilson.
"On so many occasions in my life, first as a young activist, then a new councillor, on my first committees and then as group leader, I have looked to Sheila Bailey. That she won't be there again is simply devastating to us all."
Coun Bailey held several town hall positions over the years, chairing the Heath Bank Area Committee between 1992 and 1994, and the Adult Care Services and Housing Scrutiny Committee from 2012 to 2016. She also served as a cabinet member for communities and housing between 2016 and 2019 and for Sustainable Stockport from 2019 to 2022.
Her loss has been deeply felt by ward colleague Coun Matt Wynne, who hailed her as ‘a titan of 21st century English municipal government’.
“I know she didn't mince her words so I won't mine, Sheila was the Bessie Braddock of Stockport politics," he said. Coun Wynne, 30, has worked alongside Coun Bailey since he was elected in 2018.
“She taught me everything I knew about what was necessary to not just serve in public office and represent people's interests but what it takes to win, hold and utilise power," he said.“Sheila knew it is only through power and policies that you change and transform lives and enact positive change in the communities we live in.”
He hailed her track record of ‘progress through policy’ - citing her ‘determination' to create a publicly owned public housing construction company in Viaduct Housing and the 1000-plus social rent and shared ownership houses built under a Labour administration.'.
“Sheila knew the choice of living in a secure home shouldn't be a game of dice, but a right,” said Coun Wynne, who said family was 'at the centre' of Coun Bailey's world. He also describes his mentor as ‘a grafter’ who put her constituents first, making sure their voices were heard at the town hall and their needs were met in the neighbourhoods she represented.
"A matriarch of Stockport Labour and may her memory live forever more. Rest in power, Councillor Sheila K. Bailey," added Coun Wynne.
Several other Stockport Labour colleagues also paid tribute. Coun David Sedgewick, said Stockport had ‘lost a titan of local politics and the Labour movement’.
In a Twitter post, he added:. “I’m stunned beyond belief at Cllr Sheila Bailey’s sudden passing, I’ll miss her strength, grit, incredible sense of humour and her friendship through the good times and bad.”
Coun Dena Ryness, also on Twitter described Coun Bailey as ‘a formidable woman who achieved so much during her many years of public service’ adding that she would be ‘sorely missed in the council chamber’.
Coun David Meller tweeted that he was ‘devastated’ by the loss of his friend and colleague, while Coun Kate Butler told of her ‘profound shock and grief at losing this incredible woman’.
Coun Bailey’s loss is also being mourned across Stockport’s political spectrum. Council leader Coun Mark Hunter said she would be ‘greatly missed by all who knew her but especially by those she represented in Edgeley and Cheadle Heath’.
The Lib Dem chief said: “She really was a one-off, a veritable tour-de-force in the council chamber who had great respect from all members, regardless of political party or viewpoint.”
He added that many on the Lib Dem benches had a ‘real affection for someone who always showed great passion’. “We will all miss her presence and her contributions at council meetings – Sheila was respected as well as feared by friend and foe alike,” he said.
“She was one of the few who could hold the room, whatever the subject, and she would always deliver her message authoritatively, but with a twinkle in her eye and a smile that was never far away. Stockport council is the poorer for her loss and our thoughts are with her family, friends and colleagues in the sudden loss of such a truly unique individual.”
Stockport’s remaining group leaders - Coun Mike Hurleston (Conservative) Coun Anna Charles-Jones (Independent Ratepayers) and Coun Gary Lawson (Green) said they were ‘deeply sorry to hear about the death of Councillor Bailey’.
In a joint statement they added: “Her death will be a massive loss to her many friends and colleagues in the council and her community. She was well-liked by all who met her and well respected by all those who served with her.
"She will be greatly missed and remembered with respect. Our hearts go to Sheila's family and friends at this sorrowful time."
Conservative Councillor Oliver Johnstone said he was 'devastated' by the news.
"Sheila and I locked horns on a few occasions in the town hall but she always loved a joke and had a warm smile on her face afterwards," he wrote on Twitter. "A formidable titan of local politics in Stockport."
And in a tweet, former Stockport Tory group leader Syd Lloyd said he was ‘sad to learn’ of Coun Bailey’s death. “We had many a battle on Stockport council but I had great respect for her commitment and hard work as a councillor,” he added.
Stockport County also said they were deeply saddened by Coun Bailey’s passing. “She did so much for both the club and local community since being elected in 1990,” the Edgeley Park club wrote on Twitter.
The flag at Stockport Town Hall is flying at half mast today (Thursday) as a mark of respect for Coun Bailey's 32 years of service.
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