Sir Howard Bernstein

I’ve been invited to the celebration of the life of Sir Howard Bernstein taking place later today. Howard’s death on 22 June 2024 was a sad loss to Manchester and all who knew him. He was a politician who did what he said he’d do and helped improve the city of Manchester significantly. His influence will still be felt many, many years from now.

Like many of us, Howard was a man from humble beginnings who worked hard to achieve something, not just for himself but for his fellow Mancunians.

Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham commented this morning that Howard: ‘knew how to make big things happen; whose passionate love for his city led him to change it forever. Howard had time and friendly advice for everyone. As a young MP, he fired me up with ambition for what GM could be. He had huge warmth and humour, always giving you a good laugh with a wink and glint in his eye – and still doing it even today with the “no red” dress code for his memorial! He gave the North its confidence back. You taught us how to think big, Howard, and in your memory that’s what we’ll always do.’

As Andy commented there is a ‘no red’ dress code for his service today and the invitation also says: ‘scarves welcome’ so I will be donning a blue and white scarf. I’m sure he’d appreciate that.

Howard was a key figure behind Manchester’s redevelopment and was hugely influencial in the regeneration of east Manchester, including the stadium and the wider Etihad campus. A while back the walkway from the stadium to the CFA was renamed Sir Howard Bernstein Way in his honour and it now has a wonderful mosaic of him too.

Thanks Howard for all your did for Manchester and the other places and causes you supported.