Our friend Andy Duckworth, who has died aged 50 of a brain haemorrhage, was a secondary school maths teacher who eventually became a successful businessman selling IT equipment to schools. He also played an interesting part in the rancorous Liverpool politics of the 1980s and early 90s.
A scouser and a dyed-in-the-wool socialist, Andy was a leading member of Liverpool University’s Labour club in the 80s, holding various positions both within the club itself and, with Labour party sponsorship, in the student union. Though not a supporter of Liverpool’s entryist Militant group, he objected to Labour’s relentless criticism of the organisation.
After 47 Liverpool councillors who had refused to set a legal budget were expelled from Labour, Andy was subsequently elected for the party in the city’s Arundel ward in 1990, only himself to make a stand against budget cuts, precipitating his own expulsion from the party. This prompted him to give organisational support to an independent left candidate, Paul Stancer, who stood in the ward and whose presence on the ballot list effectively guaranteed that Vicky Roberts, one of the incumbent Labour councillors, lost to the Liberals. Andy included Paul’s baptismal name, John, on the election papers, ensuring he stood as “John Paul” in what was a staunchly Catholic area.
Although Andy was born in Birkenhead, his parents Alex, a bank manager, and Hilda (nee Walker), moved the family to Brompton, Kent, when he and his sister, Kim, were young. After schooling in Kent he went on to Liverpool University, where he gained a degree in mathematics in 1988. He began his teaching career in Widnes, and eventually set up his IT equipment company, CDEC, in 2002.
Andy was a passionate supporter of Liverpool football club, and knew the highs and lows of supporting them. He followed them on joyous trips to Istanbul, Athens, Wembley and Cardiff, but was also present at the Hillsborough disaster, in the Leppings Lane centre pen. He was able to climb a fence into an adjacent section, where he witnessed the unfolding tragedy that claimed 96 lives.
Andy’s marriage to Laura Collins ended in divorce. He is survived by his partner, Toni Barnett, by her children, Natalie and George, and by four of his own children, Jack and Jamie from his relationship with Carol Wycherley, and Megan and Josh, from his relationship with Elaine Jordan.
