Goodbye, Rod Liddle

The first time I met Rod, his face was as sheepish as his hairdo.

“I was quite mean about you,” his head arched down bashfully, “I’m sorry.”

I laughed it off and put my arm around his shoulder. I knew exactly what he was referring to. An album review from years ago…

“let’s excuse Mumford & Sons their weighty class baggage and just concentrate on the music, which is irredeemably awful and makes Coldplay sound like the MC5”

- Rod Liddle, 2018

I remembered his Spectator piece well, not just because it was by far the funniest review we’d ever received, but because I’d taken it as an honour to have been the subject of a Rod Liddle piece.

Now reconciled, Rod then took the rostrum at the Social Democrat Party convention that had brought us together. It was October 2023, and outside our building in Westminster, swarms of anti-Israel protesters bayed. It was the 14th and Israel had not yet responded to the October 7th pogrom of one week ago. But that didn’t stop hordes of keffiyeh-clad savages from coming together in central London to exhibit their hate for the massacred Jews.

“There is simply no precedent for this depravity” Rod rumbled. When you’re engulfed by ghouls, as we were, courage is as welcome as water in the desert. “We stand with Israel” was Rod’s resolute message.

That afternoon I saw the full range and versatility of the man. Humility, wit and, most importantly, moral courage. And crucially, knowing when to bow each string to stir the listener.

He was one of the great wordsmiths in British public life. He showed fortitude well ahead of the crowd. And he was a joy to read. Even if it was a damning attack on your own work.

Rod’s silhouette will loom large amongst us for many years to come.

My deepest condolences to his family.

RIP Rod

WM