On Friday 2nd June 2017, the funeral of Mr Len Newton will take place at Falconwood Crematorium after he passed earlier this month following a typically determined fight against illness.

Len was a Bexley Councillor for 37 years, first becoming elected in 1969 for Upton ward and then subsequently for Christchurch ward. He served as Leader of the Council for 17 years from 1977 which still makes him Bexley’s longest ever serving council leader.

During this time, he was rightly credited for making Bexley renowned for being one of the country’s most  efficient and well run councils, a reputation it has never lost to this day. He was so dedicated to serving the people of Bexley that he took early retirement so that he could spend more time with the Council. He also of course played a full part in the life of our Association - campaigning, fundraising and acting as agent when called upon.   

As a proud Manchester United fan and Mancunian by birth, many compared him to the Sir Alex Ferguson of Bexley politics, a reputation well deserved based on his success, albeit he always reserved Ferguson’s trademark ire for the Opposition.

Whilst obviously a time of great sadness for his family and friends, they want us to celebrate the life of Len as a good friend and Conservative - someone who made a real difference to not only those who knew him and to the Association but also to the life of the whole Borough.

Rest in Peace, Len