Veteran Labour MP Sir Tony Lloyd Dies at 73

Sir Tony Lloyd, the long-serving Labour MP for Rochdale, has passed away at the age of 73. In a statement released by his family, it was revealed that Sir Tony died peacefully at his home on Wednesday morning. Described as a dedicated public servant, the MP had been battling an aggressive and untreatable form of blood cancer and had recently announced his decision to focus on spending time with his loved ones.

Born in Stretford, Sir Tony Lloyd entered politics in 1983 and became a stalwart of the Labour Party. He served as a foreign minister from 1997 to 1999 and later held various roles including shadow housing minister and chair of the Parliamentary Labour Party.

Despite facing health challenges, Sir Tony remained committed to his constituents and his work until the end. He was widely respected for his deep commitment to Labour values and his desire to make the world a better and fairer place, according to Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer. Sir Keir expressed his condolences to Sir Tony’s family and praised his legacy of service and dedication to justice.

Throughout his career, Sir Tony Lloyd made significant contributions to UK politics. He was knighted in the Queen’s 2021 birthday honours for his parliamentary services. Colleagues from across the political spectrum paid tribute to him, with Commons speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle remembering him as a good friend and someone who cared deeply about people.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also expressed his sadness and acknowledged Sir Tony’s devoted service to the people of Manchester. Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn described Sir Tony as a dear friend and a pleasure to work with, and highlighted his kindness and fairness. Fellow Labour MP Jonathan Ashworth also paid tribute to Sir Tony’s impactful career.

Sir Tony Lloyd will be remembered as a dedicated and respected public servant who worked tirelessly for his constituents and the country. His passing is a great loss, but his legacy of service and commitment to fairness will be honored and remembered by all.