Jimmy Reid was a man of considerable principle and substance. He had the rare quality of commanding silence when he addressed meetings as he always had something worthwhile to say. He was a real leader of workers who practiced what he preached and unlike so many of his trade union peers he has never sold his soul or sold out his class.

I had the pleasure of sharing scores of platforms with Jimmy and always learned from him. He mixed substance and style during oratory and his heartfelt content meant notes were hardly ever required. Jimmy actually meant what he said which is rarely the case with other so-called leaders of the labour movement.

It was also a pleasure to share some time with Jimmy socially. He was really good company and had endless stories to tell of his rich and colourful life. We once sat together at a football writer's awards night alongside William McIllvaney, Billy Connolly, Peter McDougall and the legendary sports writer Alan Davidson. Jimmy shone that night. Even the Big yin was enthralled with Jimmy's tales of standing up to and often defying the Establishment.

Sadly Jimmy has been seriously unwell for a number of years and if truth be told he is probably happier now and more at peace than at any time for years. His contribution to shipbuilding in Scotland is unsurpassed and his committment to socialist and trade union ideals unmatched. He is a giant of the movement and deserves to be applauded as a leader and remembered as a great man. Rest in peace Jimmy but rest assured the struggle to achieve the socialist goals of peace and comfort for all our citizens will continue.