Yes, this is a sad loss. The world has lost a principled and passionate campaigner for democracy.
What will always stand out to me would be the sheer power of his oratorical skills. I only heard him speak once, at a meeting where the main speakers were all skilled public speakers. He didn’t have a main slot, just five minutes on a panel- no notes, no prepared speech. In those five minutes, he proceeded to outshine everybody else and rouse the audience to thunderous applause.
In an era where politicians get ahead by their willingness to do as they’re told, to toe the party line, and to remain as grey, insipid and malleable as possible in order to avoid causing offence or taking a position that cannot be wriggled out of, he stood apart.
