MPs across the political spectrum have paid tribute to the veteran Labour MP Sir Tony Lloyd, who has died aged 73. Lloyd’s family said the MP for Rochdale died peacefully on Wednesday morning surrounded by his family, “as was his wish”.
Their statement said: “He was working until a few days before his death as his passion was helping others. He devoted his life to serving and making a difference to the lives of those he met, including his constituents, colleagues, friends, and family.
“We would like to thank all the dedicated doctors, nurses, healthcare assistants and other hospital staff who have provided him with care, as well as the blood and platelet donors who gave him an extra four years of life.”
Lloyd had represented the Greater Manchester region for more than 40 years after entering the Commons at the 1983 general election.
Last Thursday, he revealed that he had been receiving chemotherapy for an “aggressive and untreatable” form of blood cancer, and said he wished to spend the time he had left with his family.
The Labour leader, Keir Starmer, paid tribute to Lloyd’s “desire to make the world a better, fairer place”. “The death of Sir Tony Lloyd today is a terrible loss. I know the entire Labour party, and many beyond the party, join me in sending our deepest condolences to Tony’s wife, Judith, his children, Siobhan, Angharad, Kieron and Ali, and his granddaughters, Carmen and Carys,” he said.
“Like them, we will remember his deep commitment to Labour values and his decency. We will always be grateful for his dedication to public life, his devotion to his country and his desire to make the world a better, fairer place. In the Labour party, we will honour his legacy of service to others and his commitment to justice. May he rest in peace.”
Lloyd was treated in hospital for 25 days and on life support for 10 days almost four years ago after suffering badly with coronavirus. After he was discharged, he told the Guardian of his frustration that the then Commons leader, Jacob Rees-Mogg, insisted that only those physically in the Commons were able to take part in debates, which left him able to fulfil only “90% of his job”.
He added: “There’s this recognition that you only have a certain time left … I’m 70, and as such you think, ‘Well, I’m probably not going to be around in x years’ time, so use these years wisely. Use these days wisely.’ That’s probably good advice for us all.”
Lloyd held a range of roles within the Labour party, serving as a junior minister for some of Tony Blair’s first term in office, and also in Jeremy Corbyn’s opposition cabinet. His last role was as shadow secretary of state for Northern Ireland.
He took a break from Westminster in 2012 for five years to serve as interim Greater Manchester mayor, for the last two years of which he also took the role of Greater Manchester’s police and crime commissioner.
Soon after his death was announced, Labour MP Jonathan Ashworth tweeted: “So sorry to hear this. Tony did so much and was a hugely influential and respected figure in the Labour movement. My deepest condolences, RIP.”
The shadow minister for Latin America and the Caribbean, Anna McMorrin, added: “So very sorry for your loss. A wonderful and kindhearted person and I feel very honoured to have known him xx.”
Conservative MP Michael Fabricant said: “All of us who knew him will be saddened by the news,”, while Nadhim Zahawi added: “May he rest in eternal peace.”
