Jack Dromey: MPs hold minute’s silence for Labour politician and former trade unionist who passed away aged 73

Tributes have been paid to the Labour MP who passed away last week aged 73
Jack Dromey passed away at the age of 73 last week. (Credit: Getty)Jack Dromey passed away at the age of 73 last week. (Credit: Getty)
Jack Dromey passed away at the age of 73 last week. (Credit: Getty)

MPs have held a minute silence in tribute to Labour politician and former trade unionist Jack Dromey, who died last week at the age of 74.

The death of Mr Dromey was announced by his family on Friday 7 January, with tributes pouring in from all corners of the political spectrum.

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A father-of-three, he married fellow Labour politician Harriet Harman in 1982, whom he remained married to up until his death.

Upon returning to parliament today (Monday 10 January), MPs paid tribute to the representative for Birmingham Erdington with a minute’s silence in the Commons.

Who paid tribute to Jack Dromey?

Speaker of the House Sir Lindsay Hoyle led the tributes to the MP, who had been found dead in his Birmingham flat.

Politicians from Labour and from across the house also shared tributes to Mr Dromey.

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Sir Lindsay Hoyle said: “I regret to have to report to the House the death of our friend Jack Dromey, member for Birmingham Erdington.

“I know honourable members in all parts of the House will join me in mourning the loss of our colleague and extending our sympathy to the honourable member’s family and friends.”

Labour MP and shadow communities secretary Lisa Nandy said: “Mr Speaker, can I thank you for your kind words about Jack Dromey who should have been with us today – there is a space over there that I know Jack would have occupied.

“Back in the 70s, horrified by the spectacle of a skyscraper in London that lay empty while people slept rough underneath it, Jack was one of those who occupied Centre Point Tower in protest.

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“He was never afraid to speak truth to power, and I hope today marks the start of all of us across the House invoking his spirit.”

Her remarks were echoed by Michael Gove, who described Jack as a “relentless campaigner for social justice throughout his career.”

Later in the Commons, defence secretary Ben Wallace said: “We are sorry for his loss, our condolences are with his family.

“I shall remember Jack with his trademark mac that he often wore and never changed, and also his well-crafted arguments, often against the Government, but nevertheless making a strong, often powerful point.”

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Shadow defence secretary John Healy said that those in the Labour party were “mourning deeply” for his “very sad, very sudden death”, adding: “He touched everyone he worked with, everyone has a proud moment of reflection of Jack Dromey’s story and our House and our politics are the poorer without him this week.”

The condolences were added to by Conservative MP Bob Stewart, who said: “I am very sad about the loss of Jack.

“I have known him since we both served together, him for the unions, me for the military, in Northern Ireland a long time ago.”

What happened to Jack Dromey?

The MP for Birmingham Erdington and former deputy general secretary for union Unite died suddenly in his flat in his constituency on Friday.

His cause of death is not yet known.

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A statement released on behalf of his family shortly after his death read: “Jack Dromey MP died suddenly this morning aged 73 in his flat in Erdington.

“He was a much loved husband, father and grandfather, and he will be greatly missed.”

He has represented Birmingham Erdington from 2010 until his death, having previously held the deputy general secretary role at Unite from 2003 until 2010.

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