'She was the best of humanity': Tributes pour in for Dame Tessa Jowell

'There was no one like Tessa and no one better; I will miss her more than I can say,’ said Tony Blair

Dame Tessa Jowell has been described as “not just the best in politics” but “the best of humanity” following her death at the age of 70 from brain cancer.

Tributes have flooded in for the former Labour MP and cabinet minister who died peacefully at her home surrounded by family on Saturday.

Politicians across the divide have paid tribute to Dame Tessa and her achievements, most notably her success in helping secure the 2012 London Olympics and setting up the Sure Start programme to support parents and children under the age of four living in disadvantaged areas.

Former prime minister Tony Blair and current incumbent Theresa May led tributes to the former Dulwich and West Norwood MP on Sunday.

Sharing a picture of herself sat laughing alongside Dame Tessa on Twitter, Ms May said: “The dignity and courage with which Dame Tessa Jowell confronted her illness was humbling and it was inspirational.

“My sympathies to her loving family – Dame Tessa’s campaigning on brain cancer research is a lasting tribute to a lifetime of public service.”

Mr Blair, in whose cabinet Dame Tessa served as culture secretary, said she would be remembered for being “the most wise of counsellors, the most loyal and supportive of colleagues, and the best of friends”.

“There was no one like Tessa and no one better; I will miss her more than I can say,” he said.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said it was “devastating to hear the news” of Dame Tessa’s death, while Liberal Democrat leader Sir Vince Cable said “she behaved with such great dignity and her bravery has been an inspiration to so many”.

After being diagnosed with a glioblastoma multiforme brain tumour a year ago, Dame Tessa made it her mission to help others with cancer until the very end.

Her kindness and compassion reached across the political divide, as was evident when she received a standing ovation in the House of Lords in January after delivering a moving speech about her campaign for more cancer treatments to be available on the NHS and her battle with the illness.

Former Labour director of communications Alastair Campbell described Dame Tessa as “one of the kindest, most compassionate, empathetic people I’ve ever known”.

“She was completely dedicated to other people and politicians get such a bad rap from so many people but Dame Tessa was not just the best in politics, she was the best of humanity,” he told the Andrew Marr Show on Sunday.

“Yesterday when we knew what was happening and phoning a few people to let them know what was going on – I’ll spare his blushes – but there was a Tory MP I spoke to who burst into tears.

Jowell with Tony Blair in Downing Street in November 2005. She served as a minister throughout Blair’s three terms, rising to culture secretary (PA)

“I think she just had this capacity to touch everybody she met and I can’t quite believe she’s gone.

“I just remember her as a positive life force who never stopped smiling and never stopped being dedicated and motivated by other people.”

Harriet Harman, MP for Dame Tessa’s neighbouring constituency of Camberwell and Peckham, said the former Dulwich and West Norwood MP was “clever and tough”.

”Tessa was my MP neighbour for 23 years, always courteous and polite with local agencies, hospitals and schools,” she said.

“But if they were misleading, uncaring or obfuscating she would be tougher than anyone – and forensic with it.”

Helen Hayes MP, who succeeded Dame Tessa in the constituency in 2015, hailed her ”extraordinary“ legacy, and said she had served her constituents ”with a commitment to making a difference every single day“.

Lord Sebastian Coe, former British Olympic Association chairman and current president of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), said there would not have been a London 2012 Olympics without her.

He said no politician deserved greater credit for the games, and that Dame Tessa showed “unflinching tenacity in persuading the prime minister and the cabinet that the Government should throw its full weight behind the bid”.

Sports broadcaster and former professional footballer Gary Lineker was among the public figures to pay tribute to the politician, describing her as “a lovely person and admirable politician who played a large part in bringing the Olympic Games to London”.

Tessa Jowell addresses the TUC Women’s Conference on International Women’s Day 2006 at the Winter Gardens in Eastbourne (PA)

Good Morning Britain presenter Piers Morgan said she was a “caring, passionate politician & delightful woman”.

Dame Tessa was elected in 1992 as MP for her constituency – Dulwich, then from 1997 Dulwich and West Norwood – holding it until she stepped down in 2015.

She was appointed minister for public health in Mr Blair’s first government, and later secretary of state for culture, media and sport.

She was diagnosed with a glioblastoma multiforme in May 2017 and had been in a coma since Friday after suffering a haemorrhage, her family said in a statement.

She died peacefully at her family home near Shipston-on-Stour in Warwickshire shortly after 10pm on Saturday, with her husband David at her side, as well as their children Jessie and Matthew, their husband and wife, and David’s children from his first marriage.