NABMA and the NMTF has been greatly saddened to learn of the death at the age of 94 of Lord Graham of Edmonton, one of its staunchest supporters — and, indeed a strong advocate of the entire UK retail markets industry.
Lord Ted, as he was affectionately known, was for some years the NMTF’s parliamentary adviser in the House of Lords, to which he was elected (to his own surprise) in 1983 after being defeated as Labour Co-operative MP for Edmonton.
And it was Lord Graham, a straight-talking Geordie, who suggested that the markets industry — the NMTF in partnership with NABMA — should seek to set up an All-Party Parliamentary Markets Group.
It was established in 2001 and Ted became its first secretary, a position he held for six years until 2007, when he handed over to former MP Ann Coffey.
Since its formation the All-Party Parliamentary Markets Group has proved invaluable in helping the industry to lobby government on vital issues.
Lord Graham had a great sense of humour. Hosting parliamentary receptions he would invariably make the same quips — but for even those who had heard them before they were always funny.
Invariably he would start his opening address with: “My name is Ted Graham — you can call me Lord.”
Ted had been ill for some time and took leave of absence from the House of Lords to live in a care home.
His obituary in the Daily Telegraph described him as a “blunt but genial Geordie”.
True, but there was a lot more to Ted than that.
He died on March 21.