An Essex Councillor who was “a community champion to his core” has died. Councillor David Harrison, a Wickford Park Councillor and former Mayor of Basildon between 2016 and 2018 died on Friday April 4.

Dan Harrison shared the death of his father on Facebook in a moving tribute. He posted: “R.I.P. Dad. You were a true legend and my inspiration. love you always x.” While the cause of his death remains unclear, the Councillor had previously experienced a cardiac arrest in 2023.

In a heartfelt tribute to his former colleague, Leader of Basildon Council, Councillor Gavin Callaghan shared his admiration on Facebook. He wrote: "David was a giant of Basildon politics for decades, and I think I may be right in saying he was the longest-serving councillor in the history of Basildon Council.

“I first met David in 2014 and we became very good political allies. I admired his tenacity, attention to detail and ability to get the most out of those around him. It is fair to say that David liked to set political traps, test opponents, and make every minute of being a Councillor count. You can see why we instantly got on!”

"He believed in Basildon. He famously welcomed Muhammad Ali to the borough as Chairman of the Council in 1986, and later welcomed the now Princess of Wales while serving as Mayor in 2017. A proud member of the “Chain Gang,” he built strong relationships with neighbouring councils and dignitaries across Essex.

He added “He pushed the cause for regeneration, investment and status for the town he loved so much. He was everything a Councillor should be: a community champion to his core.

“You meet people from all political backgrounds and none. People used to jibe that David had stood for just about every party in his time. But it genuinely was because party politics didn’t matter to him. Wickford did. Basildon did. Nothing else really counted. Indeed, you didn’t just work with David — you learned from him. As the Leader, I valued his counsel right to the end. He was the first person to tell me when I got it wrong and the first to defend me when it mattered.

“We regularly spoke about our real true loves; family and football. He always asked after Emma and lately our children and he was always so proud to tell me what his kids and grandkids were up to. He told me that the key to a long career in politics was to marry someone who was much smarter than you, and in Linda he had his perfect companion. My heart goes out to her, and to all of David’s family, at this difficult time.

“Even at the end, he didn’t lose his spark or that mischievous side. At his final Overview & Scrutiny Committee, few knew he’d had a suspected stroke that very morning. But he still came in — determined to speak up for Wickford and move an amendment on car parking. That was David. Wickford’s voice in this Council to the very end.

“I’m proud to have known him and to have worked with him to make the Basildon that he loved that little bit better. If we were in a kinder political age, his devotion and lifetime of service to Wickford and our borough, would be a tale told often.

“One thing I do know for sure is that if there’s a council in heaven, Dave’s already read the agenda. Go well, my friend.”