Gazette

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.

Former Attorney General, Nicholas Lyell has died

The BBC has the report:

"Former Attorney General Lord Lyell has died, aged 71, his family has said. As Sir Nicholas Lyell, he was appointed solicitor general in 1987 and was made the government's top law officer by Prime Minister John Major in 1992. The 1996 Scott Report criticised him for trying to obtain a "gagging order" to prevent the disclosure of secret documents during the Matrix Churchill arms-for-Iraq trial...

Lord Lyell was first elected to Parliament in the Conservative landslide of 1979, when he won Hemel Hempstead from Labour. He later represented Mid-Bedfordshire from 1983 and North-East Bedfordshire from 1997 until he retired from the House of Commons in 2001."

Wealden Conservatives announce death of former MP, Sir Geoffrey Johnson Smith

This statement appears on the website of Wealden Conservatives:

"It is with sadness that we report the death of the Association’s Patron and previous Conservative Member of Parliament, the Rt. Hon. Sir Geoffrey Johnson Smith who passed away yesterday. Sir Geoffrey was Member of Parliament for the East Grinstead constituency from 1965 until the Parliamentary boundary changes effective in 1983 when he took the new seat of Wealden. This inherited the bulk of his old constituency, with the exception of the town which had given it its name. Sir Geoffrey remained Wealden’s Member until 2001. One of nature’s “gentlemen”, he was held in great affection and regard by all in the constituency. In recent years he had not enjoyed good health and had withdrawn from public life."

The Telegraph's obituary appears here.

Former Cabinet Minister Lord Walker of Worcester has died

News has just reached me that former Cabinet minister Lord Walker of Worcester has died at the age of 78. Just last month his son Robin was elected to represent the Worcester seat he once represented himself in Parliament.

The Worcester News reports:

"The former Conservative MP for Worcester passed away early this morning at St Richard's Hospice in the city. He had been suffering from cancer. Peter Walker was MP for Worcester from 1961 to 1992."

"Lord Walker held a number of Cabinet posts during his parliamentary career. He was Environment Secretary and Trade and Industry Secretary under Edward Heath, and Energy Secretary and Welsh Secretary under Margaret Thatcher. The founder of the Tory Reform Group, Lord Walker was appointed a life peer after his retirement as an MP in 1992.

"Lord Walker was surrounded by his family when he passed away this morning."

Many ConHome readers will also have come across him in recent years during his time as chairman of the Carlton Club.

Our deepest condolences to the whole Walker family at this sad time.

2.45pm update:

Nick Bourne, leader of the Welsh Assembly Conservatives, has paid the following tribute:

"“I am extremely saddened by this news. I have known Peter Walker for many years and sought his advice on many occasions. Peter Walker was a dedicated public servant and had a distinguished career serving at the highest levels of government. Only recently he was campaigning in Wales during the General Election. Peter Walker’s time as Welsh Secretary will be remembered for his dynamism, activism, and hands-on approach, and for his efforts to fight for Wales in Cabinet, and at home at abroad.”

Thursday morning update:

Robin Walker MP has issued this statement on behalf of the Walker family:

"Peter Walker passed away quietly on Wednesday morning after a long struggle with cancer. His whole family were able to be with him in his last days. He will be hugely missed by his wife Tessa, five children and five grandchildren. As a politician he always believed in the importance of helping those most in need, combining efficiency with compassion. He was a true one nation Conservative and a patriot. His great personal compassion was always reflected in his private life.

"To the end he was passionate about his work and his family, working diligently and enthusiastically, but always taking the time to support and cherish those closest to him. For all his great achievements, those who know him best will remember him most for his humour and generosity.

"Having dedicated so much of his life to serving Worcester, it was appropriate that he was able to spend his last days there. As a passionate supporter of the hospice movement, who for many years championed the cause of palliative care in Parliament, he would have been proud of the care that was provided for him at St Richard's Hospice. The family would like to thank the staff and volunteers at St Richard's and all the friends who have supported us through this difficult time."

Jonathan Isaby

Jean Searle has died

I received this statement yesterday from the Conservative Women's Organisation:

“Deputy Chairman of CWO in the early 1990’s and contested the chairmanship in 1993 Jean Searle then went on to become a Conservative Party Board Member and chair the autumn Party Conference.  She was a complete stalwart of the Party and had been valiantly fighting leukaemia for over a year.”

Tim Montgomerie

Former Conservative MP Angela Rumbold has died

Dame Angela Rumbold, Conservative MP for Mitcham and Morden from 1982 to 1997, died yesterday.

She won her seat in a by-election during the Falklands War from the incumbent MP who honourably instigated the election after defecting from Labour to the SDP.

Dame Angela served as Deputy Tory Chairman and as a Home Office Minister but will be best remembered for her time as Minister of State for Education and then Deputy for the Secretary of State for Education.

My own memory of her is when she spoke at Exeter University, in 1990 if my memory serves me correctly, when I was her host. She spoke through a meeting where she was constantly heckled by left-wing activists. She did not flinch and told the meeting that the morally insecure Left hated hearing Conservatives talk about their plans for educating the poor and under-privileged.

Tim Montgomerie

3.30pm Statement from Sayeeda Warsi, Tory Chairman:

“Angela was one of the leading politicians of her generation having served as government minister, Deputy Chairman of the Party and Member of Parliament for 15 years, she proved herself to be an exceptional public servant. Her tireless effort at improving the quality and standard of education to children is a testament to her commitment. In that time Angela helped transform political life in this country by paving the way for many women of great talent to enter politics. On behalf of everyone at the Party I would like to express our sadness on hearing of her passing and also our thanks for such a fulfilled and accomplished life.”

Martin Davies, leader of the Conservatives on Camden Council, has died

Extremely sad news reaches us from Camden.

Cllr Martin Davies, who was elected leader of the Conservative Group on Camden Council just last month, died suddenly at his home last Friday, aged 45.

He was the Executive Member for Adult Social Care and Health in the Borough between 2006 and the local elections earlier this year, when Labour regained power at Camden Town Hall, at which point he replaced Andrew Marshall as Conservative group leader.

He had been a Camden Councillor for twelve years, reresenting the Frognal and Fitzjohn's ward, and latterly serving as Conservative group deputy leader.

Away from political life, he had been Chief Executive Officer at Age Concern Westminster between 2003 and 2009, having previously used his accountancy training in a variety of operational and finance roles in business services.

Fellow Conservative Councillor Chris Knight has led the tributes to Martin:

"It is a tragic loss for everyone. Martin was a strong character and a natural progression to take over the leadership of our group. He was very happy and he was looking forward to the future and we are all in total shock at the moment. He was a great guy, a fantastic man to be with and he always encouraged everyone. It is a terrible loss."

Jonathan Isaby

Sir Gordon Shattock has died

News reaches ConservativeHome that Sir Gordon Shattock has died.

Sir Gordon was Chairman of the Western Area Conservatives in the 1980s and lost his wife, Jeanne, in the 1984 Brighton Bombing.

Tim Montgomerie

A tribute to Croydon Councillor Lindsay Frost

This morning Councillor Lindsay Frost, Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care on Croydon Council and campaign manager for Gavin Barwell, the Conservative candidate for Croydon Central, passed away. Here, Gavin Barwell pays tribute to his friend and colleague.

I will remember Lindsay most as a tireless and committed campaigner. Back in December 2007 when Andrew Pelling announced that he didn't wish to stand for re-election, Lindsay and I - along with 100 other people - applied for the vacancy. We both got through to the final four and I narrowly pipped him at the post. Most people in that situation would have said to themselves, "If they don't want me as their candidate, they can find someone else to do all the leg-work" - but not Lindsay. He devoted the last 25 months of his life to trying to get me elected. In all that time, until his recent illness, he only missed one canvass session.

At the moment, many people feel that politicians are only in it for themselves - understandable in the case of MPs given recent events. But there is a whole other side to politics - tens of thousands of people who give their time for free without any prospect of financial reward, stuffing envelopes, delivering leaflets, knocking on doors. They do it because they care about the place they live and our country and they have strong views about how it could be a better place. Lindsay was a titan among such people. I sit here writing this and think of the hundreds of hours he spent trying to get me elected that he could have spent with his family or at work or listening to his beloved Peter Gabriel and I feel both guilty and humbled.

I have so many memories - the car that parked itself, the competition to find poster sites and deliverers, the nicknames for members of the team, above all the way in which every time he sought to make the back-breaking work of pounding the streets fun.

In a few days' time, the council election campaign will get underway and Gordon Brown is expected to finally announce the General Election. No-one in Croydon Conservatives is going to feel like going out campaigning, however, because we have lost one of our best. But we will do it because that is what he would want. The last serious conversation I had with him was on Wednesday night and he was absolutely determined to get well and to be there at the count on 6th May and see us win. For me, this campaign has taken on a new significance.

I will miss Lindsay's support, his advice and most of all his friendship. But my loss is trivial next to that of his wife Kerri and his young children Holly and Dominic, to whom he was absolutely devoted. I am posting this because as they grow up I want them to have a record of what kind of man their Dad was. I invite those of you who knew him to add your own memories.

Rest in peace my dear friend.