Legendary Manchester councillor Pat Karney dies at 78
He'd represented Harpurhey since 1979 and was Manchester's official Christmas Spokesman
Last updated 21 hours ago
Tributes are being paid to legendary Manchester politician Pat Karney, who served the city for almost half a century.
He was 78 and had represented Harpurhey as a councillor since 1979.
The council said he was receiving treatment for cancer and was grateful for the excellent care he received at The Christie.
A career in Manchester politics
Cllr Karney had been one of the city's most prominent politicians for much of his time in office.
The areas closest to his heart was always Collyhurst, Harpurhey and north Manchester, where the council said he enthusiastically advocated investment and celebration.
For many years he was known as a champion and spokesperson for Manchester's Christmas Markets and festive events, as well as acting as city centre spokesperson.
The council described him as one of the pivotal figures in the regeneration of the city centre after the 1996 IRA bomb.
He chaired the City Centre Committee, which was established to oversee the rebirth.
Cllr Karney had been a director of Cityco, the not-for-profit city centre management company, since 2000.
He was also a director of tourism body Marketing Manchester between 2002 and 2014.
The council said Manchester Day, the annual celebration of the city first held in 2010, was his brainchild and will be among his legacies.
Gay rights and Irish roots
Cllr Karney was proud of the role he played in standing up for gay rights.
That was especially so in the 1980s, when Manchester City Council fought against Clause 28 of the Local Government Act 1988, which was introduced by the Thatcher government.
He moved to Manchester from Dublin at the age of nine.
The council said he remained proud of his Irish roots and was heavily involved with the city's Irish community over the years, including the Irish Festival.
Tributes
Council leader Cllr Garry Bridges said:
"Pat was a giant of Manchester politics and one of the city's most recognisable public figures for nearly 50 years. He was truly a one-off and someone whose loss the city will feel deeply.
"Pat was Manchester through and through and he never lost his determination to champion the city or his astute political judgement. It is typical of his commitment that he was working on behalf of his constituents right until the end.
"He never lost his connection with where he came from - he was proud to be from Collyhurst and to represent the people of Harpurhey and Collyhurst.
"Pat loved this city and civic pride really mattered to him. He was the driving force behind important events like Manchester Day and our Christmas festivities which he began planning earlier each year. In recent years he strongly supported Harpurhey Together and argued passionately for more local events celebrating all that is good in our neighbourhoods.
"He's played an influential role in Manchester's renaissance and driven improvements in the city centre - standing up for its businesses and attractions, while being outspoken about where he thought change was needed, such as in Piccadilly Gardens.
"While he was deeply serious about his politics and his values, he had a great sense of fun and wasn't afraid to put himself in the spotlight or use a gimmick or two to get his message across.
"For us in the Council, we knew the Pat that everyone else knew but we also knew him as a friend - someone who was always there with sage advice. We will miss him personally as much as we miss him politically."
Bev Craig, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said:
"Across Manchester and across politics, many will mourn the loss of Pat Karney, a force of nature who served our city for half a century. My thoughts are with his family, who he treasured and adored, at this difficult time. He will always be in our hearts.
“Affectionately known by many as Mr Manchester, Pat was one of the city’s most recognisable figures. Through Manchester’s renaissance, Pat championed making our city what it is today from the regeneration of the city centre, improving the health of Manchester people, to the creation of Manchester Day- he was incredibly proud of Manchester and recognised the need to bring people together.
“A local north Manchester boy, he championed Manchester while ferociously fighting for the people of Harpuhey and Collyhurst. He delivered on the ground from new council housing and a GP surgery to championing a new North Manchester Hospital.
“Pat was one of a kind, passionate, determined, sharp and quick witted, but he was also thoughtful, kind and supportive. He will be remembered too for his sense of fun.
“A private man, he was in many ways a trailblazer in politics, someone who sacrificed a lot to be himself he championed the gay village and LGBT equality, he paved the way for generations who came after him.
“Working together for over 15 years we became good friends and like many I will miss him- but also make sure his achievements are celebrated in a way that he would be proud of.”
Council chief executive Tom Stannard said:
"Pat Karney epitomised public service and gave fifty years of his life as a Harpurhey ward councillor. He was a determined character, always forthright in getting his views across, but always motivated by what he thought best for the city and ward he loved and had represented for so long. His life of public service to this city was energetic and relentless, and we know he worked determinedly until the end.
"I will miss his wisdom, his generosity with time and his inimitable grasp of Manchester's history as well as his forever optimism about its future. We will also treasure his leadership on equalities issues, which generations of public service leaders can learn so much from. For all his public profile, he was also someone who could be very supportive behind the scenes and was deeply appreciative of the hard work of council staff. Pat was everything that is wonderful about the spirit of public service. He will be deeply missed by us all, and my thoughts and love go to his family and friends."
Book of condolence
Details of a book of condolence, including an online book, will be announced soon.