MP Gwyneth Dunwoody dies aged 77

[muriel_volestrangler]

Mrs Dunwoody, MP for Crewe and Nantwich since 1974, had been ill for the past week, her son said.
...
Always an independent figure, Mrs Dunwoody was frequently a thorn in the Government's side.

In 2001 she survived an attempt by Labour whips to remove her from the transport select committee - which under her chairmanship often produced highly critical reports.
...
The Labour MP, Stephen Pound, told the BBC: "The House rose as one to save our Gwyneth."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7353743.stm

A sad day - she was one of the best MPs.

[Morris Onions]

1. One of the good ones RIP

.

[T_i_B]

2. Another one of the few good MP's left has now gone.

RIP Gwyneth.

[non sociopath skin]

3. Sleep well, Gwyneth.

I am glad that she was, at least, granted a gentle end.

Brilliant tribute from Tony Benn, there, who sums up - again - everything that's rotten in the State Of The UK.

The Skin

[muriel_volestrangler]

4. A nice selection of quotes from her in The Guardian:

After Harman on Dunwoody:

Harriet Harman, the deputy leader of the Labour party and leader of the House of Commons, called Dunwoody "an outstanding politician and a champion in the fight for social justice".

She added: "She was a strong parliamentarian and a committed campaigner who was admired and feared in equal measure.

"I will sorely miss her. We shall not see her like again."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2008/apr/18/gwynethdunwoody.labour1

Dunwoody on Harman:

She is one of certain, particular women who are of the opinion that they have a god-given right to be amongst the chosen.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2008/apr/18/gwynethdunwoody.labour2

and also:

"I have no problem being called a battleaxe. They're very well-made, very sharp and largely very efficient at what they do."

[tjwmason]

5. Definitely one of the best.

Decent, honourable and honest.

[fedsron2us]

6. Very sad. Politics in this country will be poorer and duller without her

[LeftishBrit]

7. RIP

Very sorry to hear this.

[Morris Onions]

8. A couple of nice annecdotal tributes to Gwyneth Dunwoody I found online....

The first is from Labour MP Paul Flynn,

Parliament is bereaved.

-excerpt-

On a flight from New York to Seattle in the early nineties, I sat next to Gwyneth in the forward seats of the plane. Some of our more excitable colleagues were sitting in the back. Before the plane took off, Gwyneth asked to see the Chief Steward. She introduced me as Doctor Flynn and herself as Professor Dunwoody. She pointed out two of our colleagues and explained “ Dr Flynn and I are carrying out an experiment on what we call in the United Kingdom ‘Care in the Community’. Those two people are from an institution and we are monitoring their behaviour on this experimental trip. Don’t worry they are not dangerous as long as they do not consume alcohol.’ The Chief Steward was aghast. ‘Give them drinks by all means’ Gwyneth urged ‘but no alcohol.’ She had an air of sublime authority that convinced the crew. Halfway into the journey we heard a British accent behind us complain ‘What’s this horse piss they’re serving us?’

http://paulflynnmp.typepad.com/my_weblog/2008/04/gwynneth-unmask.html


The second is from Tory Nadine Dorries. Surprisingly, I find this one especially touching,


Behind the Chamber there is a room with a big oak door which says 'Lady Members' on a brass plaque.

Behind the door is a tiny room with a sofa and a yellow chair.

The chair is known as Gwyneth's chair and no one dared sit in it.

From that chair Gwyneth dispensed advice and kindness to other Lady Members. To those who were pregnant and those who were just plain fed up.

She was above party politics and treated us all the same.

When I arrived I was scared stiff of her. When I was told by another member 'not to sit in that seat' I was even more so.

On the first day I walked into the room and she was sitting in the chair I wanted to reverse, but I couldn't, it would have been too obvious. I proceeded and sat down, head up.

I swear she knew how I felt because she lifted her head up, didn't say a word and gave me a knowing smile.

She was lovely from that moment in.

The room smells of her perfume.

That chair will have to be replaced, no one will sit in it again.

http://www.dorries.org.uk/Blogs/2008/Apr/18#18