Michael Meacher dead: Labour stalwart dies aged 75
The veteran MP passed away after a short illness
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The British Labour politician Michael Meacher has died aged 75.
The MP for Oldham West and Royton, who served in his constituency for 45 years and was considered left of the party, passed away after a short illness.
Peter Dean, Mr Meacher's PA and Office manager, confirmed the news on Wednesday. “We are extremely sad and it has been quite a short illness he has had and we just don't know the details at present,” he told the Oldham Chronicle.
“He was such a well respected person and we will just try to deal with any problems people in the area have ongoing. We will still try to assist in anyway we can.”
Oldham Council said it was “deeply saddened” by his passing. “Our sincere condolences and thoughts are with Michael Meacher's family and friends at this difficult time,” it said in a statement.
An Oxford University graduate, Mr Meacher was a lecturer at universities in Essex and York before entering politics. He was the environment minister under Tony Blair between 1997 and 2003 and went on to serve as shadow transport secretary.
He announced plans to challenge Gordon Brown and John McDonnell for the Labour leadership in 2007, but eventually stood aside and backed Mr McDonnell.
Mr McDonell, who was selected as shadow chancellor in Jeremy Corbyn’s cabinet last month, paid tribute to Mr Meacher for dedicating his life to Labour. He said Mr Meacher was “years ahead of his time” by putting climate change on the agenda before many other politicians.
Jason Cowley, the editor of the New Stateman magazine, said Mr Meacher viewed Mr Corbyn's overwhelming victory in the Labour leadership elections as the greatest day of his career. Reacting to his death, Mr Corbyn highlighted his "commitment to social justice" and "knowledge of inequality". He said Mr Meacher “exemplified the very best socialist and labour traditions of this country”.
“I was very sad and very shocked at hearing of his death earlier today and my sympathies and condolences go to his family, his many friends and admirers who all realise that in Michael we have lost a good man of fundamental decency,” he said in a statement.
His colleagues and serving MPs remembered him as a compassionate and principled man who stood by his convictions. The former Labour spin doctor Alastair Campbell said that while the pair often disagreed over issues, they “always got on”. Ex-Labour leader Ed Miliband paid tribute to Mr Meacher as "kind and thoughtful", while the Green Party MP Caroline Lucas and Labour MP John Prescott praised his unwavering dedication to tackling climate change.
Friends of the Earth said Mr Meacher was a "real champion" of the environment, who "really understood the issues, and fought hard for them – often in challenging political circumstances".
He wrote a number of books, including The State We Need, which set out a blueprint for a radical future society.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments