Image supply, UK Parliament
Ann Clwyd served as an MEP earlier than she was first elected as an MP in a 1984 by-election
Former Labour MP Ann Clwyd has died on the age of 86.
She represented the Cynon Valley constituency for 35 years, and have become the oldest girl to sit down within the House of Commons earlier than standing down in 2019.
The former BBC journalist served as an MEP earlier than she was first elected as an MP in a 1984 by-election.
She held many political posts together with shadow secretary of state for Wales, and chairwoman of the Parliamentary Labour Party.
In 1994, she staged a sit-in at Tower Colliery, close to Hirwaun, Rhondda Cynon Taf, in protest at British Coal’s determination to shut the pit.
The miners got the go-ahead to re-open the colliery the next yr, after pooling their redundancy cash to take it over. It continued producing coal till 2008.
She was Tony Blair’s particular envoy in Iraq and he or she campaigned on the NHS following the loss of life of her husband Owen Roberts in 2012.
Cardiff Central Labour MP Jo Stevens tweeted that Ms Clwyd “was a trailblazer for women, not just in Wales but across the UK and abroad”.
She mentioned Ms Clwyd was “determined, passionate, fierce and stood her ground”.
“Ann was also very kind, funny and loyal to her many friends and constituents,” she added.
“I’ll miss her. She was one of a kind.”
Andrew RT Davies, Welsh Conservative Senedd group chief, mentioned he was “saddened to hear of the passing of Ann Clwyd”.
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“A formidable figure, she never shied away from fighting for her beliefs, standing on principle no matter who that may have upset,” he tweeted.
“She was a passionate servant of the people of the Cynon Valley and will be deeply missed.”
Welsh Health Minister Eluned Morgan mentioned Ms Clwyd was a “pioneer and the only political female role model for women in Wales over a long period”.
“She was a true radical and was inspired by her early years serving as a Euro MP before going on to make a significant impact in Westminster,” she tweeted.
Ann Clwyd labored as a BBC journalist within the 1960s
Councillor Andrew Morgan, Labour chief of Rhondda Cynon Taf council, mentioned Ms Clwyd was “as sharp as ever” after they final met earlier than Christmas.
“Very sorry to hear Ann Clwyd has passed away over night,” he tweeted.
“Ann was hugely supportive of myself since I entered politics. I considered Ann a good friend and someone who was passionate to help others.”
Beth Winter, who took over Ms Clwyd as Labour MP for Cynon Valley, mentioned her “thoughts are with her family and friends at this difficult time”.
“Her work over so many years for women’s rights, international justice and the miners will be remembered,” she wrote.
In a tweet, Carwyn Jones, former first minister and Member of the Senedd mentioned: “Ann served her constituency faithfully for so many years. My thoughts are very much with her family.”
Analysis, by BBC Wales Political Editor Gareth Lewis
They do not make them like that any extra.
A conviction politician who managed to face up for these near residence and people overseas; to rise to positions of seniority in her social gathering, however not let that get in the way in which of what she thought was proper.
Despite the scrapes and the high-profile pursuits additional afield, to somebody with Cynon Valley heritage, residence appeared closest to her coronary heart:
And on a private stage she was nice enjoyable to interview – woe betide you when you weren’t utterly in your recreation.