Welsh Labour Mourns Michael Foot
Welsh Labour is in mourning today at the passing of Michael Foot. A Labour leader and MP for Ebbw Vale, then Blaenau Gwent, Michael Foot was one of Labour's great figures. Gordon Brown today said Michael was a "brilliant thinker" and a "genuine British radical".
Gordon Brown, Michael Foot and Neil Kinnock
Welsh Labour mourns Michael Foot
Carwyn Jones said, This is obviously desperately sad news, we have lost a real political giant today. Within Welsh Labour and the wider party the loss will be keenly felt. Michael Foot was a great thinker, a fine orator and superb writer. He crammed a huge amount into his long life and he led the Labour Party during one of the most difficult periods in its history. Above all he remained a fierce advocate and campaigner for equality and social justice throughout his life and it is that passion for which he will always be fondly remembered.
Peter Hain said, Michael was perhaps Wales' most brilliant adopted son. A good friend who gave me much personal support from 40 years ago in the Anti-apartheid Movement to our work on Tribune newspaper together he will be sorely missed. Never again will we see such soaring oratory, socialist passion and wit. Wales and Welsh Labour are in mourning.
Labour's parliamentary candidate for Blaenau Gwent, Nick Smith added, I first met Michael some 25 years ago and he has been a good friend and support to me as candidate since I was selected by the Labour Party in Blaenau Gwent. On my selection he invited me to his home for tea and we discussed the constituency in huge detail and he gave me lots of sage advice about local politics, economic issues and about working with people – great insights that I will never forget. I remember he talked very lovingly, very movingly about his wife and her political battles – it was a wonderful experience. As the member for Ebbw Vale and then Blaenau Gwent – he was a real champion for the area, fighting for more jobs through some incredibly tough times. He was loved by local people and by the local constituency party – Michael was a true giant of Labour politics.
Chris Roberts, Welsh Labour's General Secretary said, Michael Foot was a giant of the Labour movement. A man of great principle who was passionate about his politics and the people he represented. His brilliant biography of his mentor and hero Nye Bevan was an inspiration to a generation of Labour Party members. I had the great privilege of driving Michael around North Wales in 1989, I was in awe of a lovely man who switched effortlessly from personal reminiscences of George Orwell and the leaders of the Spanish Republic to a chat over a cup of tea with two delighted elderly ladies in Porthmadog Milk Bar. "We have lost a great socialist and a splendid human being.
Carwyn Jones said, This is obviously desperately sad news, we have lost a real political giant today. Within Welsh Labour and the wider party the loss will be keenly felt. Michael Foot was a great thinker, a fine orator and superb writer. He crammed a huge amount into his long life and he led the Labour Party during one of the most difficult periods in its history. Above all he remained a fierce advocate and campaigner for equality and social justice throughout his life and it is that passion for which he will always be fondly remembered.
Peter Hain said, Michael was perhaps Wales' most brilliant adopted son. A good friend who gave me much personal support from 40 years ago in the Anti-apartheid Movement to our work on Tribune newspaper together he will be sorely missed. Never again will we see such soaring oratory, socialist passion and wit. Wales and Welsh Labour are in mourning.
Labour's parliamentary candidate for Blaenau Gwent, Nick Smith added, I first met Michael some 25 years ago and he has been a good friend and support to me as candidate since I was selected by the Labour Party in Blaenau Gwent. On my selection he invited me to his home for tea and we discussed the constituency in huge detail and he gave me lots of sage advice about local politics, economic issues and about working with people – great insights that I will never forget. I remember he talked very lovingly, very movingly about his wife and her political battles – it was a wonderful experience. As the member for Ebbw Vale and then Blaenau Gwent – he was a real champion for the area, fighting for more jobs through some incredibly tough times. He was loved by local people and by the local constituency party – Michael was a true giant of Labour politics.
Chris Roberts, Welsh Labour's General Secretary said, Michael Foot was a giant of the Labour movement. A man of great principle who was passionate about his politics and the people he represented. His brilliant biography of his mentor and hero Nye Bevan was an inspiration to a generation of Labour Party members. I had the great privilege of driving Michael around North Wales in 1989, I was in awe of a lovely man who switched effortlessly from personal reminiscences of George Orwell and the leaders of the Spanish Republic to a chat over a cup of tea with two delighted elderly ladies in Porthmadog Milk Bar. "We have lost a great socialist and a splendid human being.
