Andrew Reeves
1968-2011

Yesterday, Liberal Democrats received the terrible news that Andrew Reeves, Director of Campaigns for the party in Scotland, had passed away, aged just 43.

Andrew gave so much to Liberal Youth Scotland, and to some of us individually. He was so dedicated to the cause of Liberalism, and really believed as much as anyone that LYS is the future of that cause. He nurtured us in our early days, and pushed us right up until the end. He was never afraid to put the boot in to motivate us.

LYS exec members past and present have been lining up to pay tribute to Andrew.

2010-2011 President Kristian Chapman: “can’t believe that such a good person has been taken from this world. I’ll miss you”

2009 President Tom Maidwell: “Although I haven’t spoken to you in over a year I know you were a good man with a big heart and you devoted your life and energy to the Liberal Democrats. We wouldn’t have been able to set up Liberal Youth Scotland without you. The party is worse off without you.”

2011-2012 OEM James Harrison: “Shed a few tears today after hearing of the death of Andrew Reeves. He was a lovely man who was always willing to help out, and gave me so much advice over the years. We also loved having an occasional private bitching session over Twitter Direct Messaging! We will all miss you man and we won’t forget you.”

You can find my own personal tribute here.

It says much about Andrew’s profound impact on the world around him that he was one of the most talked about things on Twitter in the UK yesterday. He has left a huge gap in the lives of so many, and the party he loved so much.

This is the last duty I will carry out as Vice-President of Liberal Youth Scotland. I could think of  more fitting way to end my time as Vice-President, than by honouring the memory of the man who on announcing my victory in 2009 said “but that’s no surprise.”

I’ll leave the final word to out incoming Honorary President, Alistair Carmichael MP: “I am not looking forward to my next visit to 4 Clifton Terrace where there will be a large Andrew Reeves – shaped hole. There are many people in the party who work hard, many who are fun to be around and many who have an instinctive feel for the liberal response to any given issue. He was one of the rare few who was all three and more.”

Callum Leslie
Vice-President (Communications) 2009-2011