My father, Colin George, who has died aged 77, devoted his life to helping others through the Citizens Advice Bureau, and later stood for parliament as a member of the Labour party and then the SDP.
He was born in Leigh-on-Sea to Frederick, a chauffeur, and Phyllis (nee Adams), a hairdresser, and after passing the 11-plus examination was educated at Westcliff high school for boys. However, the inequalities and divisiveness of the 11-plus irked him all his life, and later he moved his family to neighbouring Castle Point, where comprehensive education was in place. He remained a firm believer in the comprehensive system to the end.
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