LOCAL politicians, community activists and friends turned out for a memorial service for a former Islington councillor and leading women's champion. Pat Longman, 59, who was a Labour councillor for St George's ward between May 1982 and October 1984, died

LOCAL politicians, community activists and friends turned out for a memorial service for a former Islington councillor and leading women's champion.

Pat Longman, 59, who was a Labour councillor for St George's ward between May 1982 and October 1984, died on August 2. A trade unionist's daughter, she joined the Labour Party at the age of 16 and devoted much of her life to improving the lives of working class women.

Jeremy Corbyn, Labour MP for Islington North, said: "The Labour Party has lost a great champion and stalwart for women's rights. Pat will be remembered for her untiring efforts during the miners' strike in the 1980s in collecting funds for the striking miners and their families. She also devoted a lot of her time to supporting grassroots actions in a number of different workplaces throughout her life."

Derek Sawyer, former leader of Islington Council, added: "She was a principled person who always upheld her strong trade union roots in arguing for decent wages and the safeguarding of employees' rights." The service was held at Bridewell Hall in Fleet Street.