Labor MP Jack Dromey died suddenly in his Birmingham apartment on Friday morning, according to a statement issued on behalf of the 73-year-old family.
Dromey, a shadow minister who was married to party greats Harriet Harman, is said to have died of natural causes.
A statement issued on behalf of his family by the Labor Party read: ‘MP Jack Dromey passed away suddenly this morning at the age of 73 at his apartment in Erdington.
“He had been a dedicated Member of Parliament for Birmingham Erdington since 2010. He was a beloved husband, father and grandfather, and will be greatly missed. “
Paying tribute to Mr. Dromey, Speaker of the House of Commons Sir Lindsay Hoyle said: “We are all in disbelief that the life force that was Jack Dromey has passed away; it is another sad day for the House and a bad start. For the year”.
“I have known Jack since the mid-1980s, when we fought to save the Royal Ordnance Factory in Chorley: he was the national manager of the Transport and General Workers’ Union, and I was president of economic development at Chorley Council.
“He was a great guy, down to earth, always positive and always looking to support and save jobs. In his heart, he was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, so all our thoughts are with Harriet and the rest of the family at this sad time.
Dromey last spoke in Parliament yesterday during a debate in Westminster Hall on the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Program and welcomed the efforts of British military personnel involved in the Kabul evacuation mission.
He said the resettlement program was aimed at “supporting those who desperately need our support at a time when, dare I say, our failure has helped put them in an intolerable position.”
“Our country has a proud history of providing refuge to those fleeing persecution,” he added. “Any weakening of the resettlement program would be contrary to our most fundamental values of decency, honesty and fairness. “
The Birmingham MP also attended a speech by Sir Keir Starmer on Tuesday, where the Labor leader presented his “contract” with the British people and his vision of government.
Speaking on Friday, Sir Keir said Mr Dromey had “dedicated his life to defending workers through the Labor movement, becoming deputy general secretary of the UK’s largest trade union and later Labor MP”.
“From supporting the strike at the Grunwick Film Processing Laboratory when he met Harriet, to being chosen to represent Birmingham Erdington in 2010, Jack has lived out his commitment to social justice every day.
“Jack was known for his determination to stand up for his constituents and was highly respected and considered throughout Parliament. My thoughts and those of the entire Labor movement go out to Harriet, her children, and everyone who knew and loved Jack.
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