Sandy Bruce-Lockhart has died

Tim Montgomerie writes:

"News has reached me of the death of one of the most likeable and principled of modern Conservatives. Lord Bruce-Lockhart died this morning after a long battle against cancer. He was an innovative Conservative leader in local government and a passionate supporter of the party's social justice agenda. He'll be hugely missed. Much more to follow."

1.45pm Rt Hon Iain Duncan Smith MP pays tribute:

"Sandy was a hugely successful leader of Kent County Council, often blazing a trail on welfare reform and other aspects of policy which even the Labour Government learned from. He was an iconic example to Conservatives around the country, during our ‘wilderness’ years,  as he showed how, whilst still staying true to Conservative principles of delivering taxpayer value, it was also possible to be compassionate and use the power of Government to deliver to the worst off in society. Under Sandy, Kent was a very well run model of local government working for local people.

"Yet Sandy showed us something else. In this celebrity obsessed media age, Sandy was able to show that it is character, not superficial charisma that count when the public needs well run government. His polite and soft spoken manner belied a steely determination to get the job done, with the minimum of fuss, which is the hallmark of a true leader.

"However it is as a friend and supporter of my Centre for Social Justice, that I will always remember him. Right from the start when few people wanted to know about the project, Sandy volunteered to help the Centre, certain in the belief that putting Social Justice at the heart of Conservative politics was critical to its future. He was a committed friend and his advice and support was invaluable, for which I will always be in his debt.

"I have lost a remarkable friend, the Conservative Party has lost a political giant and the country has lost a loyal, honest and true public servant.

"God speed you Sandy.  My thoughts are with his family at this difficult time."

3pm Tribute from Party Chairman Caroline Spelman:

"I am very sorry to hear of Sandy's death. He was an exceptionally able local government leader, and Kent will forever be in his debt for his innovative ideas. I was particularly impressed by the way he used his skills to fight the corner of councils throughout the country as chair of the LGA. He and John Prescott, with whom he frequently dealt with in Government, were unlikely sparring partners, but I think John would acknowledge the elegant way Sandy led the LGA .   Sandy came from a diplomatic family and this really showed when he was negotiating."

6.15pm: Tribute from Party leader David Cameron:

"Sandy Bruce-Lockhart was a visionary leader of Kent County Council and put forward powerful arguments about empowering local government which all parties have listened to.  He made a huge contribution to public life as chairman of English Heritage and head of the Local Government Association and will be sadly missed.  My thoughts are with Tess and the family at this sad time."

Comments

[James maskell]

Former Leader of Kent County Council. Spoke a lot of sense in the LGA. He will be missed.

[Ali T]

Our Party has lost a true icon.

Sandy will be sorely missed by those of us who knew about his work, commitment and service to Kent and the LGA.

On a personal note, Sandy was one of the individuals who inspired me to get involved with the party and later to become a councillor and when I ever I met him he always asked how I was doing. He was a real gentleman.

[Westminster Wolf]

I enjoyed his recent contribution to the debate on Europe in the Lords. He seemed a very thoughtful man.

[Jack of Kent]

Probably the leading Conservative of his generation in local government.

A very sad loss indeed.

[Henry Mayhew - ukipper]

A great loss.

[Al Lane]

Very sorry to hear of his death. A very decent man, but sadly did nothing meaningful for Kent during his terms of office; just same old same old.

[Henry Mayhew - ukipper / kentish man]

Al Lane - does everyone who knows you tell you that sadly you are in many ways a very decent man but unfortunately a complete waste of space and everyone's time?

I do hope that you have at least had the courage to use your real name and that you have political ambitions in the UK, particularly in Kent.

[Charlie Elphicke]

Sandy was a great Conservative, a great leader of Kent County Council and a great servant of the public in all that he did.

Although not himself well, Sandy recently took quiet, yet decisive, action to move forward healthcare improvements for the betterment of the people of Dover. It's thanks to Sandy that a new hospital may now be built after years of useless squabbling. Just one great deed in a lifetime of great deeds. It sums up the kind of man he was - driven by a desire to improve things to the end.

Our county is today a much poorer place. We shall miss Sandy very much.

[Peter Titchener]

I am very upset indeed to hear of the death of Lord Bruce-Lockhart. We knew he had been very ill, but it is always a great shock to hear the news. A few years' ago, when only Kent and Buckingham remained in Tory hands, the Guardian ran a full page biography on "The most powerful Tory in Britain". As leader of KCC Sandy was outstanding, but he never failed to make time ,as President of our local village Conservative branch in Ulcombe, to help us out at a grass roots level with fund raising etc.
He will be missed not only because he was such an effective politician and administrator both in Kent and nationally, but also because he also had a patrician grace and charm which transcended politics.
He was a generous host, and was one of that rare number of politicians who actually listened to people. Our thoughts locally are with his family and particularly his wife Tessa who was stalwart in supporting Sandy throughout his career, and for whom we offer our love and condolences.

[Matt Wright]

This has come as a shock. He was very much a guiding light to councillors up and down the country.

[Justin Hinchcliffe]

Shocking and very sad news. My thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time. RIP, Sandy.

[Joe Mooney]

Sandy was an outstanding Local Government Leader. May he rest in peace.

[fugitive ink]

His work for English Heritage was apparently both highly effective, and informed by a great deal of personal conviction; it's sad that he was only able to occupy this new role, for which he seemed so well suited, for such a short time.

[Mark Hudson]

I had quite a few dealings with Sandy over the years as Chairman of Sevenoaks and a (paper) KCC candidate in 1997. Whilst he was probably not my sort of Conservative, his rebuilding of the Party in Kent was a tribute to steely determination, political acuity and a very disarming manner. KCC became the most powerful local government engine for the Party and he did much to revivify the Party at that level after years of neglect and setbacks.

He never agreed with me joining UKIP, but he did agree with my profound disgust at the way Sevenoaks Conservatives destroyed their Agent, Rosemary Holman.

A great contribution and a life well lived.

[michael mcgough]

I hope they name a grammar school after him,God bless.

[Malcolm Dunn]

I didn't know him but his comments on local government always seemed eminently sensible. Anyone that can unite people like Hinchcliffe and Hudson in their praise must have been very good indeed. RIP.

[Justin Hinchcliffe]

Do you ever give up making silly comments, Malcolm? It is right that this page concentrate on Lord Buce-Lockhart and not on me or Mark Hudson.

[John Moss]

I worked peripharily with sir Sandy on the Cities Task Force and he regularly sparred gently with Heseltine, but it was clear he understood local Government more deeply than anybody esle in the room.

A sad loss.