Gazette

David Cameron statement on death of West Oxfordshire Conservative Chairman Christopher Shale

By Matthew Barrett
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Following the death of the Chairman of the West Oxfordshire Conservative Association, Christopher Shale (pictured), David Cameron released the following statement:

"Sam and I were devastated to hear the news about Christopher. He was a great friend and has been a huge support over the last decade in west Oxfordshire. A big rock in my life has suddenly been rolled away. Christopher was one of the most truly generous people I've ever met - he was always giving to others, his time, his help, his enthusiasm and above all his love of life. It was in that spirit that he made a massive contribution to the Conservative Party both locally and nationally. Our love and prayers are with Nikki and the family. They've lost an amazing dad, west Oxfordshire has lost a big and wonderful man and like so many others Sam and I have lost a close and valued friend."

Mr Shale was found dead in a portable toilet at the Glastonbury festival earlier today. There are conflicting reports as to the cause of death. Some talk of a heart attack, some of suicide. A paper he had written on party membership had been prominently reported in today's Mail on Sunday.

He had been an annual participant in the Conservative Party's Project Umubano in Rwanda. This is what he wrote on the party website:

"2011 is my fifth visit to Rwanda with the Project. I've never missed one trip, and I hope I never will. I have hundreds of happy moments from Rwanda. It has always been such a mix of people, all ages and talents, learning from and laughing with our Rwandan partners – some of the most inspirational people I have ever met. I’d urge people to do whatever necessary to raise the money to visit Umubano."

Below is a photograph of Christopher Shale during Project Umubano in July 2007, at the opening of the refurbished Girubuntu school in Kigali.

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The Libyan regime murdered photographer, Anton Hammerl, six weeks ago

By Tim Montgomerie

I am very sad to report that photographer Anton Hammerl was killed by Libyan troops six weeks ago. Anton worked for ConservativeHome on a number of occasions and, below, we republish some of the photographs he took for us. We hadn't reported his connection with us until now because we feared any loose connection with the Conservatives might endanger him if the Libyan authorities had been detaining him.

For the most part Anton, a South African national living in Britain, was a photographer who operated in dangerous parts of the world but, on a freelance basis, he did some work for us. I didn't know him well. I didn't what his politics were. But I did know him as funny and very professional. My thoughts are with his wife and family today. The world has lost a brave man and we have further confirmation - if it was needed - of the hideous nature of the Gadaffi regime.

Photographs of Sayeeda Warsi, Andrew Feldman, Rory Stewart and Benedict Brogan.

Some of his last work from Libya.

Sir Simon Milton, Deputy Mayor of London, has died

Tim Montgomerie

Sir Simon Milton (born 1961), Boris Johnson's Deputy Mayor, and former leader of Westminster Council died yesterday evening. Widely seen as one of the most effective policy innovators in the Conservative Party, Sir Simon was expected to join the Lords and enjoy a senior ministerial role in the years ahead. His passing is a terrible loss to politics and to his family and friends.

11am update from Paul Goodman: David Cameron has now made his tribute to Simon Milton, and it's published below with Boris Johnson's at the end of this article.

6pm update: The tribute of Cllr Colin Barrow, the leader of Westminster City Council, is now also published below.

ConservativeHome has received the following tributes:

From local government minister and former colleague at Westminster Council, Greg Clark MP: "Simon Milton - one of the most brilliant and successful Conservatives of our times - redefined leadership in local government. As Leader of Westminster Council, Chairman of the Local Government Association and Deputy Mayor of London, Simon disclaimed the 'Mr Big' tradition of voluble, larger-than-life municipal swagger. He brought instead an understated, meticulous approach which dissolved division, clarified purpose and earned him universal respect.  This created the consent to pursue bold, reforming policies - resulting in unrivalled excellence in services as well as in value for money. For example, Simon - and Kit Malthouse as his deputy - was absolutely insistent that the quality of social care for those in vulnerable circumstances must be outstanding.  Simon Milton's policies and approach made Westminster the most popular council among its residents of any in the country.  It delivered unprecedented political success for our party and made Simon a source of wisdom for every leading Conservative in local government and Parliament - and not a few Labour ministers, who could see the value of his experience and insight.  It is a tragedy that our party and our country have been robbed of a man of such talent. I will always be very proud of having worked for Simon as a member of his Cabinet when I was a councillor in Westminster. My heart goes out to Robert, Simon's much-loved partner who, like Simon, is an enthusiast for everything local government can do to make people's lives better than they would otherwise be."

From broadcaster and friend Iain Dale: "Sometimes life just isn’t fair. Simon was one of life’s good guys. Likeable, clever, competent and above all a conciliator. Even political opponents found it difficult to be nasty about him. He was also a leader. He led Westminster City Council and the LGA with huge distinction and has been a pivotal force in City Hall as Boris Johnson’s deputy. As a member of the Total Politics advisory board he was a great source of calm and well intentioned advice and we shall miss his wise counsel greatly. Politics was robbed yesterday of a truly remarkable individual. His partner Robert will be bereft, and it is he who is in my thoughts as I write this."

From Brian Connell, former colleague at Westminster Council: "Simon was one of the outstanding Conservatives of his generation. His ability to reach out beyond core Conservative supporters sometimes belied the strength of his convictions: but also gave a clue as to why he was such a popular figure. He was a compassionate and humane Conservative, who was a tremendous leader of Westminster Council which in its eight square miles has more diversity of communities, income and mobility than any other city in Britain. He cared deeply about all these communities - and it was no surprise to find that Mayor Boris came to rely upon his political judgement and 'how to get things done' across the whole of London. He was a great mentor, a good friend, and leaves a gap which Conservatives, and I, will find hard to fill."

Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, is quoted in today's Guardian -

"He was a wonderful colleague and friend and will be much missed by everyone who was involved in public life in this city.  He was kind, he was decent, and he was universally acknowledged to be brilliant at his job.  He was a widely admired leader of Westminster Council, who played a key role in launching the first academy schools. He brought the same calm, logic and warmth to his role at City Hall.  It is a great shock that Simon has been taken from us when he had so much still to offer"

- and David Cameron's tribute is as follows, as given to Paul Waugh of PoliticsHome:

"I was shocked and saddened to hear of the sudden death of Sir Simon Milton.  Simon was an extraordinarily talented leader of local government in London. He was a pioneering leader of Westminster City Council, and in recent years a tower of strength to the Mayor and his administration at City Hall, as Deputy Mayor and Chief of Staff. He was a much loved and much admired member of the Conservative family, and a familiar presence at Party Conferences and Party gatherings. In all the years I have known him he was always kind, reliable, trustworthy and incredibly hard-working. He was in public life and public service for all the right reasons. He still had a huge amount to give and a great future ahead of him. He will be greatly missed.  My sympathy goes to his partner Robert, and to his family and friends."

Cllr Colin Barrow said -

"Simon lived a full life in fewer years than he deserved to enjoy. His role at  Westminster, in London government and the Local Government Association made him one of the leading politicians of his generation.

He led this council with great distinction for eight years and I have always felt honoured to follow him as Leader and implement many of the policies he initiated.

His work as the Leader of our city council - for the people of  Westminster - will mean he will retain an enduring place in our respect and affection across the city.

My thoughts and yours will be with his partner Robert and their family."

Brynle Williams, Welsh AM and fuel protestor, dies

by Paul Goodman

Brynle Williams died of cancer on Thursday night at the age of 62.

Williams, a farmer, became a member of the Welsh Assembly in 2003, but made his name three years before as one of the leaders of the national revolt over fuel prices.  He was the Shadow Minister for Rural Affairs.

The Prime Minister said: “Brynle was a giant of a man in all senses of the word. He had such a strong handshake you often wondered if you would have fingers left afterwards."

Nick Bourne said: “I am greatly saddened by the loss of a popular political figure, a seasoned campaigner and a close personal friend. I first met Brynle 10 years ago when he was first considering standing as a Conservative candidate for the National Assembly.  Brynle was a master of his rural affairs brief and saw it as his role to defend the communities of rural Wales and their way of life.”

WalesOnline has more tributes.  Williams is survived by his wife, a son and daughter, and we send them our deepest commiserations.

 

Neil Murray, the husband of Sheryll Murray MP, dies in a fishing accident

by Paul Goodman

This is Plymouth reports that -

"it is understood he died in an accident last night.  Mr Murray is well-known in Looe as trawlerman and owner of the boat Our Boy Andrew.  The Marine Accident Investigation Branch is currently investigating what they have described as a: "Fatal accident during single-handed fishing operations in the English Channel to the south of Plymouth.  Mr Murray's body was found on his boat Our Boy Andrew after a search."

All our thoughts and prayers are with Sheryll Murray and her family today.

Former Conservative MP and MSP Phil Gallie has died

By Jonathan Isaby

News has just reached me that the former Conservative MP Phil Gallie died suddenly on Monday night, aged 71.

Educated at Dunfermline High School, he became an apprentice electrical fitter at Rosyth Dockyard and went on to work for the Electricity Supply Industry, working his way up from the shop floor through engineer grades to become a power station manager prior to his election to Parliament.

He held office in the Conservative Party at all levels, serving as a councillor in Cunninghame in the early 1980s and being a constituency and area chairman. He unsuccessfully contested Westminster seats at the 1983 and 1987 elections before being returned to the Commons as MP for Ayr in 1992, winning by a majority of a mere 85 votes.

After losing the seat in 1997, he became a vice-chairman of the Scottish Conservative Party, and was then elected to the Scottish Parliament for the South of Scotland region at the 1999 election and again in 2003, serving as the party's spokesman on constitutional affairs.

He stood down from Holyrood in 2007, but remained active in politics.

Scottish Conservative leader Annabel Goldie has issued the following tribute:

“Phil was that rare breed of politician: admired by friend and foe alike and a tireless advocate for the people of his beloved Ayr, his Party and Scotland. No one who knew Phil will ever forget the passion and enthusiasm he brought to everything he did.

“Phil was a great family man and his care and love for his late wife Marion as she battled with illness was humbling and inspiring to us all. He will be sorely missed by his children Kirsteen and Craig, and his grandchildren.

“He leaves a gap in our lives. I have lost a friend and Scotland has lost a shining example of a true public servant, someone who cared deeply about people and loved his Country.”

John O'Sullivan remembers David Hart, the libertarian campaigner who helped Margaret Thatcher win the miners' strike

The Downing Street telephone operator was, as always, exquisitely polite: “Mr. O’Sullivan, may I ask if you are expecting a Mr. Hart?”

“No, I don’t think so. Doesn’t ring a bell, I’m afraid. Oh, hang on. Would that be one David Hart? It would. Oh, my goodness, is he actually here, I mean, in the building?”

“Yes, he is. He’s in the front hall in fact, and he says he’s here to discuss a speech for the Prime Minister with you.”

“Then I suppose I’m expecting him.”

Down in the hall, David Hart squirmed impatiently in an armchair with the detectives lurking nearby just to make sure. On that occasion he wasn’t wearing what Ferdy Mount in his wonderful memoir, “Cold Cream,” claims was the fashion he pioneered: namely a three-piece pinstripe suit worn with tennis shoes. Even conventionally clad, however, David made a vibrant and sometimes a clashing impression. He always came on blazing.

So it seemed odd to me that he was slightly furtive this time. He jumped up, pumped my hand, muttered something about coming “as quickly as he could” in a conspiratorial manner, and more or less escorted me forcibly to the lift. Once inside he explained that “they are trying to stop me seeing the PM, you know. Good of you to help me get through.”

This alarmed me more than somewhat. But I knew what he meant. “They” were the bureaucrats, the civil servants, the private office, and all the conventionally-minded people who stood in the way of the radical Thatcherite changes that David could help the PM to bring about. “They” had banned him from Downing Street, he confided, because he was able to supply the PM with the evidence to justify greater boldness. “They” were the grey consensus that had held Britain back for generations.

Ian Cameron, the Prime Minister's father, has died

By Paul Goodman

Thursday morning update: statement from David Cameron: "Our dad was an amazing man - a real life enhancer.  He never let the disability he was born with or the complications in later life get in the way of his incredible sense of fun and enjoyment."

"He touched a lot of lives in lots of different ways and was a brilliant husband and father.  You could never be down for long when he was around.   We will miss him terribly but have a bank of memories that can never be exhausted"

"This was unexpected and sudden, but he was having a wonderful holiday and was with great friends. Above all he was with mum, to whom he was devoted, and he was happy - and the end came quickly.  We will treasure all the joy he brought us."  

---

Downing Street has issued the following statement.

"It is with deep regret we can confirm that Ian Cameron died earlier this afternoon. He passed away shortly after the Prime Minister arrived at the hospital in France where he was undergoing treatment."

Deepest condolences to David Cameron, and to all his family.