LOCAL politicians have been paying tribute to Rochdale MP Tony Lloyd, who has died at the age of 73.
The veteran Labour MP, who was Greater Manchester’s Police and Crime Commissioner from 2012 to 2017, had revealed last weekend he had an untreatable form of leukaemia.
He had been treated for blood cancer and received chemotherapy.
Mr Lloyd was still working a few days before he passed away peacefully on Wednesday morning (January 17) surrounded by his family, as was his wish.
Ashton-under-Lyne MP Angela Rayner, who is also the Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, said she was “heartbroken” by the news.
“Tony Lloyd was not just a kind colleague but a dedicated friend and rock of support to so many of us, thinking of his constituents right to the very end,” she wrote.
“His loss is deeply felt throughout Greater Manchester, by the whole Labour family and across political divides. My love goes out to his family and to all those who knew him.”
Stalybridge and Hyde MP Jonathan Reynolds, who is also the Shadow Business and Trade Secretary, said he was “extremely saddened” to learn of his colleague’s death.
“Tony was my MP when I first moved to Manchester as a student in the late nineties,” Mr Reynolds commented.
“He served the diverse communities of first Manchester and then Rochdale devotedly.
“During his time as Greater Manchester Police and Crime Commissioner and then Acting Mayor of GM, he visited every part of our constituency, being there for the people of Stalybridge, Hyde, Mossley, Longdendale and Dukinfield, and taking action to make our communities safer.
“Above all, he was an incredibly kind man, and a thoughtful friend to many. He will be much missed by everyone in the Labour Party. My thoughts are with his family and loved ones.”
Andrew Gwynne, Denton MP and Shadow Social Care Minister, said he was “absolutely devastated” by Mr Lloyd’s death.
He added: “Tony was the finest of public servants, a true gentleman and a hero. Rest in peace.”
Debbie Abrahams, who represents the Oldham East and Saddleworth constituency in Westminster, said she was “utterly devastated” by the death of her friend and Labour colleague.
“Tony was an utterly inspirational person and Parliamentarian,” she commented.
“His compassion, humility and gentle manner made him so well liked on all sides. Thinking of his friends and family at this time.”