As we stumble into 2026, it seemed a good idea to meet up with one of the people who has brought Brentwood – and Ongar – into the public eye over more than twenty five years.
Lord Eric Pickles of Brentwood and Ongar was one of the youngest Council Leaders in the country when he led Bradford Metropolitan Council in the 1980s and came to Brentwood in 1992 where he was Member of Parliament for the town from 1992 to 2017. He was Chairman of the Young Conservatives when Margaret Thatcher was Prime Minister, and served as Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government in the 2010-2015 Coalition Government under David Cameron.
For ten years, Lord Pickles has been the UK Special Envoy for Post-Holocaust issues, and has been a member of the House of Lords since 2017. He’s a big character whose Yorkshire ways and distinctive London taxi were recognised across the constituency during his time in the Commons and, now, the Lords.
The Brentwood Buzz has been to Lord P’s office in the House of Lords for a catch up, and a look back on his years as a Communist-turned -Conservative politician.
The Brentwood Buzz 