Category Archives: Homelessness

George Cooper and the Fight for Council Housing

Argus title : Make your voice heard as a tribute

George Cooper died in Brighton on 8th February 1994, aged 84. He was a labour activist, a trade unionist and above all a tenants’ organiser. It’s still hard to believe he isn’t around.

I first met George at a party. I was intrigued by this extraordinary man – in his late 70s, wearing saggy blue jeans, arguing, dancing and drinking pints like a youngster. He was passionate about politics, but he also had an almost child-like capacity for joy.

The son of a railwayman, George left school at 14 to work as a draughtsman in a Brighton factory. The 1926 General Strike was his defining political experience. Continue reading