Jack Dromey: Tributes paid to politician and Labour MP who has died aged 73

The Labour MP and former Deputy General Secretary of Unite died suddenly in his Birmingham flat on Friday at the age of 73
Jack Dromey, Labour MP for Birmingham Erdington, has died suddenly aged 73. (Credit: PA)Jack Dromey, Labour MP for Birmingham Erdington, has died suddenly aged 73. (Credit: PA)
Jack Dromey, Labour MP for Birmingham Erdington, has died suddenly aged 73. (Credit: PA)

Politician and former trade union deputy general secretary Jack Dromey has passed away aged 73.

The Labour MP, who represented the Birmingham Erdington constituency, was confirmed to have died suddenly in his flat on Friday 7 January.

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A statement released on behalf of his family 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.”

Tributes have since poured in for the MP from all sides of the political spectrum.

Tributes pour in for ‘complete stalward’

The father-of-three married fellow politician Harriet Harman in 1982, and had represented Birmingham Erdington from 2010 until his death.

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Sir Keir Starmer, leader of the Labour party, paid tribute to Jack, saying that the MP “dedicated his life to standing up for working people.”

He added: “From supporting the strike at the Grunwick film processing laboratory, when he met Harriet, through to being elected to represent Birmingham Erdington in 2010, Jack lived his commitment to social justice every day.”

Starmer’s words were echoed by former Prime Minister Tony Blair, who described Jack as a “complete stalwart of the Labour and trade union movement”.

Mr Blair said: “He was also hugely likeable, a very popular colleague and well respected by all who worked with him. Cherie joins me in sending profound condolences to Harriet and all the family.”

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Prime Minister Boris Johnson also offered his condolences to Jack’s family, tweeting: “Deeply saddened to hear of the death of Jack Dromey MP. My thoughts are with Harriet and the family, and all those who knew him as a friend. May he rest in peace.”

Speaker of the house, Lindsay Hoyle joined tributes, saying: “We are all in disbelief that the life-force that was Jack Dromey has died – this is another sad day for the House and a bad start to the year.

“He was a great guy, down to Earth, always positive and always looking to support and save jobs. At his heart he was a devoted husband, father and grandfather – so all our thoughts go to Harriet and the rest of the family at this very sad time.”

He ‘always put solidarity with workers first’

Sharon Graham, current General Secretary of Unite, the union which Jack has served as deputy general secretary from 2003 until 2010, shared a statement on behalf of the group.

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She said: “It is with great sadness that we have learned of the death of our dear friend and comrade, Jack Dromey. On behalf of Unite, I wish to express our heartfelt condolences to Harriet his wife, and their family.

“Jack dedicated his life to fighting for workers and against injustice. His dedication to the Labour movement should inspire us in today’s struggles. Jack never ever lost his searing passion when the fight for justice was at stake – when he was an organiser with the T&G and then Unite, and when he became a Labour MP.

“From standing shoulder to shoulder with the workers at Grunwick in the 1970s, to delivering legislation to defend workers from exploitative gangmasters in the 2000s, to today where Jack showed no hesitation in backing our members at GKN in their fight to save their jobs, Jack always put solidarity with workers first, all his life.

“I was personally proud to work closely with Jack for a number of years to establish the ground-breaking organising department in Unite. It stands today as a testament to his commitment to the union.

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“Jack’s family can be so proud of all that he has achieved, a strident force to ensure that workers will always be heard and that those who misuse power will always be held to account. We will miss you Jack.”

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