A South London council has announced a local councillor died last week, with his colleagues since sharing tributes to celebrate his life.
Conservative Councillor Andrew Lee, who represented the Hayes and Coney Hall ward for Bromley Council, passed away “suddenly” on October 5, the local authority said in a statement yesterday (October 10).
Cllr Lee was elected as a ward councillor in 2022, and was previously the campaign manager for the Bromley Conservatives for 14 years.
Conservative Councillor Alexa Michael, who represents the Hayes and Coney Hall ward, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) that Cllr Lee fulfilled a lifelong wish to become a ward councillor when he was elected. She added that she was grateful for his wise counsel, patience and good humour.
Conservative Councillor Thomas Turrell, also representing the Hayes and Coney Hall ward, told the LDRS: “I had the great pleasure of knowing Andrew for over a decade.
“First, working together as campaign managers and then as ward colleagues. Andrew was a stalwart of not just Bromley politics, but all of South London.
“We will all miss his advice, friendship, wit and humour. Our thoughts are with his family. May he rest in peace.”
Cllr Lee worked in the retail and advertising sector before becoming involved in politics, and ran a consultancy business in Bromley borough in his later life.
Conservative Councillor Nicholas Bennett said Cllr Lee was 66 years old when he died and previously ran to be elected in Lewisham while he lived on Blacklands Road, off Southend Lane. He added that Cllr Lee enjoyed visiting Iceland and the Isle of Wight with his wife Gill.
Political groups in Bromley borough, including Labour and Lib Dems, expressed their condolences to Cllr Lee’s family, friends and colleagues on X (formerly known as Twitter).
Conservative Councillor Colin Smith, Leader of Bromley Council, told the LDRS on behalf of the Bromley Conservative Group that Cllr Lee’s passing had come as a deep personal loss.
He added: “We have all been shocked and deeply saddened to learn of Andrew’s sudden demise and our thoughts are firmly with his widow Gill, their friends and family at this incredibly difficult time.
“Hayes and Coney Hall ward has very sadly lost an outstanding councillor as a result of Andrew’s cruel and untimely departure, who was also an amazingly talented friend to many and a local politician.
“He will be desperately, sadly missed by everyone that knew him. Andrew, may you rest in peace dear friend.”
