Obituary : Jim Reynolds R.I.P.

The Independence Movement generally and the Campaign for an Independent Britain (CIBUK.Org) in particular have lost a great friend and stalwart campaigner with the death of Jim Reynolds who died peacefully at home on 11th September, surrounded by his family.

Jim was the longest serving member of C.I.B’s national committee, serving as regional organiser in the South East for many years, as a Vice Chairman and as Honorary Secretary. His friendly presence and practical common sense was a mainstay of purposeful activity. He was always a doer rather than a talker.

Because he was so modest, it has been something of a rediscovery to recall all that he did away from the committee room. He acted as CIB’s representative with many other organisations – French, Greek and Italian independence campaigners, as well as our fellow British groups and more recently the Museum of Brexit.

He provided storage and distribution service for many thousands of CIB leaflets to branches and allied independence groups from his home, in partnership with his wife, Angie. In the days before most people were on the internet and national newspapers were still almost totally pro-EU, this was a vital service in keeping informed opposition alive.

Whilst tens of thousands of leaflets were distributed, this was something of a cottage industry in comparison to the truly massive scale of deliveries during the referendum campaign and the run-up to it. When it was suggested that extra help or sub-contractors might be provided, he and Angie simply insisted that they press on regardless.

Jim had a varied business career, including time spent in Canada and as a salesman, cold-calling in the London Docklands area. He once mentioned that a colleague had told him that they could make an easier living as estate agents. Jim replied saying he knew nothing about it but was assured that all that was required was a shop window with some photographs of houses!

That became the basis of a very successful business which enabled him to indulge his interest in fast cars and rally driving in exotic parts of the world. His last expedition of this sort was in Morocco which, he said, was “challenging but not as much as Peru was”.

That was in the Autumn of 2022 when he also stood down from the CIB national committee with the profound thanks of colleagues for his and Angie’s service.

He said “I am not sure that I recognise all you said I did. I enjoyed my time with CIB. The ups and downs did not distract. CIB is now a different animal than it used to be, as it could not operate in the old style which now seems light years away. The goal remains the same. We are defending our country against attack – not by military but by creeping authoritarian administration”.

It was soon after the Moroccan motor rally that the first symptoms of cancer appeared and the next two years were a tremendous struggle for Jim with periods of isolation in hospital and treatments of many sorts. He remained cheerful and courageous throughout. It was a great relief for him, Angie and family that he was able to spend his last days at home. Angie recently wrote that “For Jim (Mr Organiser) it was a perfectly planned departure. His final week was a beautiful relaxed one that will make us smile and remember forever”.

The current Chairman of the Campaign for an Independent Britain (and Chairman of Facts4EU.Org) has this to add:

“Jim was Honorary Secretary and Membership Secretary when I took over as Chairman of this august body. He could not have been more helpful in ensuring a smooth transition, at a time when CIBUK was moving into the digital age. He was pivotal in recognising the need to modernise and acted as a bridge between the old and the new, valuing what had gone before and embracing the new.”

“Jim, your passing has affected all who knew you. You were special. Beyond that I can only say your absence leaves us lost for words.”

Jim Reynolds, R.I.P.