Commonwealth and country
Field was kind enough to comment for FT Adviser on the death of HM Queen Elizabeth II, urging the government to pull together to protect the values of the Commonwealth, which he saw being eroded.
He told FT Adviser: "While The Queen's death is an unmeasurable loss for this country, it is likewise a similar loss for the Commonwealth.
"That the Commonwealth has not lived up to the role she desired for it is our loss, not hers. At this time it is very important for the role of the Commonwealth not to fall out of politics now it has lost its chief champion.
"For it to gain a renewed interest would be an appropriate tribute to her."
Field may well have been a thorn in the side of regulators and legislators alike, but his spirit was always in the interests of protecting ordinary men and women and securing their financial safety nets in retirement.
Even in his later years, he was ready and willing to give considered, measurable responses to journalists and to trade titles such as FT Adviser.
Often he would take my calls or respond to emails even outside of normal working hours, when the occasion called for it, for which I shall always be grateful.
At a time when it seems the interests of the many (the voting public) are overlooked in favour of the interests of the few (who sit on green benches), the loss of someone like Field will undoubtedly be felt keenly.
Few people have understood the intersectionality of economics, politics and pensions quite like Field, and one can only wonder from whence the new champion of the people's pensions will arise.
At least one can hope for such a champion, although I suspect he might have been the last of his kind.
simoney.kyriakou@ft.com
