By Andrew Marshall
Former Conservative parliamentary
candidate John Antcliffe has died suddenly, aged 48. John was an
outstanding political talent in his generation and a tireless supporter
of the Conservative cause.
John read history at Corpus Christi, Cambridge and was Chairman of CUCA and Treasurer of the Cambridge Union. After graduating he joined Rothschilds and was elected a councillor in his home borough of Greenwich. He fought the February 1987 Greenwich by-election (against Rosie Barnes of the SDP) and then fought the seat again at the 1987 general election - a very short straw to draw. To the surprise of all who knew him, John didn't succeed in being selected for a winnable seat in the coming years, but remained an active supporter of the party, giving freely of his time in supporting others and in helping raise money for the Party.
John's business career flourished - after becoming head of corporate communications for Rothschilds, he moved into financial PR in the late 1990s, working for Bell Pottinger before founding his own agency Smithfield, along with John Kiely, in the early 2000s. He was also President of the Council of the Royal Albert Hall, having been an assiduous member of the Council over the last decade.
John would have been an outstanding constituency MP and minister. He touched many people, and will be particularly remembered for his sharp mind and wonderful wit, which was combined with a genuine interest and concern for others.
There will be a private family funeral followed by a memorial service in May.
> 23/3: FT report
