In Memoriam Anna Werrin

A significant proportion of the Liberal Democrat parliamentary party turned out at the National Liberal Club this evening for a celebration of the life of Anna Werrin (1959-2009). For 23 years, Anna worked for Charles Kennedy at Westminster (having originally said she would stay for six months). Fairly left-wing in her own views, she nonetheless became an indispensable part of the SDP team, before, during and after merger, acting as ‘gatekeeper’ and confidante when Charles was elected Leader of the Liberal Democrats. Anna was not just a work colleague but a dear friend to many in the LibDem sub-section of the Westminster village. As Charles recalled, ‘Anna was selflessness itself — in an age and environment where selfishness has predominated. And she was immense fun. That laugh may be no more, but the legacy and the political debt will be there forever.’