Life of Brian

This section of the Brian Micklethwait Archive is for material celebrating Brian’s life: testimonials, reminiscences and tributes.

Please contact brianmicklethwaitarchive@gmail.com with your memories of Brian for publication here.

IEA event

On September 3rd 2021 the Institute of Economic Affairs hosted an event entitled The Life of Brian: A Reception to Celebrate the Life of Brian Micklethwait in Brian’s honour at their headquarters in Lord North Street, London.

At the event, formal speeches were given, which I have transcribed.

Following this, the microphone was passed around and many people spoke about Brian and his influence on their lives. I have begun to write some of these down and am in the process of writing down the rest.

• IEA event formal speeches
• IEA event tributes

Quotes about Brian at the event

You’re the inspiration to make me believe I could really do it. – Mark Littlewood, Director General of the Institute of Economic Affairs

Brian has made a difference. He has inspired all of us, in our different fields, to make a difference and to continue fighting for classical liberal and libertarian values. – The Lord Kamall

So many people have told me their ideas got firmed up as a consequence of attending Brian’s Fridays, starting them down a path they might not have otherwise taken. And that is a legacy of incalculable value. – Perry de Havilland

In footballing terms he’s the guy that’s training the players at grass-roots level and getting them all started and encouraging them. – Dominic Frisby

As you know I tend to make my own mind up about things. But you did persuade me that maybe I wasn’t mad. And if I was mad, that I wasn’t alone. – Guy Herbert

You were basically the Saul Alinsky of our world. – Sam Bowman

He is the most beautiful mind I have ever known. – Professor Tim Evans

Comments about the event

Chris Hartup, wife of Gerald Hartup, former Freedom Association, writes:

“Brian was amazing when he spoke at that meeting, cogent, not forgetting what he was in the middle of saying, and getting to say everything he wanted to, he considered himself one of the most fortunate people ever to manage his final weeks and he felt humbled by so many people turning up …

At the meeting, he spoke about how truly touched and grateful he was by Syed’s involvement in organising the get together especially since he and Syed had a bit of a fractious relationship full of arguments mainly about religion in general and Syed’s in particular.”