An “unfailingly loyal, kind and supportive” Hertfordshire politician has died aged 88.

Former councillor John Gardner represented Roebuck in Stevenage from 1998 until the local elections on May 4, 2023.

He served as deputy leader of Stevenage Borough Council between 2006 and 2018.

Mr Gardner died after a period of ill health on Tuesday, March 23.

At the town’s Annual Council meeting on May 24, members paid tribute to “a man of conviction and passion”.

Baroness Taylor of Stevenage (Lab, Symonds Green), who led the authority between 2006 and 2022, said: “John was my deputy for most of the time I was leader of the council. This gave us the gift of a lasting friendship.

“Although we didn’t sit in the same place in the spectrum of the Labour Party, John was unfailingly loyal, kind and supportive, and although we had robust discussions about policy, we never fell out over it.

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“He was a reassuring, wise and steady presence on our executive.”

The baroness added: “I first met John Gardner almost 30 years ago now at a visioning session for West of Stevenage, which was held at John Henry Newman school.

“He instantly impressed me with his expertise and knowledge about what was needed to make a development work.

“It must have been such a great joy to John to see that development go through planning.

“John’s commitment to the environment was legendary … making powerful arguments on biodiversity, sustainable growth, zero-carbon energy and many other aspects of green policy long before that was fashionable.

“He wasn’t an academic, but what he learned, he learned at the sharp end of first of all, post-war service life.

“He was one of life’s true gentlemen and father of our council.”

Current council leader Cllr Richard Henry (Lab, St Nicholas) said: “I knew John Gardner for over 20 years – as a fellow councillor and a Labour Party activist.

“John’s passion and ambitions for the town, and commitment to the council, were amazing.”

Cllr Henry reflected on Mr Gardner’s achievements throughout his career.

He was shortlisted for Environment and Sustainability Pioneer at the 2020 Local Government Information Unit and CCLA councillor awards.

“During a high-achieving career in the aerospace industry, John held several senior executive positions in both the UK and the USA,” Cllr Henry said.

He added: “His knowledge and enthusiasm for Stevenage Borough Council’s £1billion regeneration programme and environmental initiatives was clear when he led the council’s announcement of declaring a climate emergency in June 2019 – to achieve zero carbon emissions by 2030.

“It is very sad to lose another comrade, and my thoughts are with Michelle and family at this very difficult time.”

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Conservative Group leader Cllr Phil Bibby (Woodfield) said: “It is always said when a member of this chamber is lost to us.

“Politically, I suppose John Gardner and I were diametrically opposed in many ways.

“We had quite a few cross words across the chamber, but I always had to respect him as a committed politician with conviction and passion.

“I always thought of John as an ‘old school’ politician – quite striking.

“In the early days, at least, you could see him out in the town centre with his megaphone and I always saw that picture of an old-style socialist politicians.

“He had a fantastic memory. He recounted all of these facts and history off the cuff – I don’t think he ever had a scripted speech.

“Great respect to the man, and condolences to the family.”

Liberal Democrat Group leader Cllr Robin Parker (Manor) said: “John could also be relied upon to speak up for the disadvantaged in our society, and to put the world to rights here.

“In fact, the only thing that stopped him from doing so was the clock.”

Cllr Parker added: “John bravely struggled to attend here even until near the end.

"I had known John for all his time on Stevenage Borough Council.

“Yes, he was committed to his traditional socialist principles.

“I believe he held Stevenage dear to his heart, and I’m sure he’ll be missed here by all of us.

“He did an awful lot of good around the town.”

Former councillor John Gardner stepped back at the local elections 2023. Labour held the seat when Councillor Forhad Chowdhury was elected.