Liz Lynne pays tribute to Sir Cyril Smith
September 3, 2010 4:27 PM
Originally published by Liz Lynne MEP
Originally published by Liz Lynne MEP
Liz Lynne has paid tribute to Sir Cyril Smith, who she succeeded as MP for Rochdale. Here he is with Gracie Fields. Politics will never be the same again.
Liz Lynne, who followed Sir Cyril Smith to serve as Lib Dem MP for Rochdale from 1992 until 1997, has paid a warm tribute to the legendary politician, who died today, aged 82.
Liz Lynne said:
"I'm very sad to hear of the death of Cyril Smith today. He was a true political heavyweight, but will also be much missed for his honesty and straight talking.
"A spin doctor's nightmare, he always spoke his mind and would always stand up for what he believed in and for the people of Rochdale.
"Cyril really put Rochdale back on the map and deserved his enormous popularity in the town and beyond.
"He was the most loyal of friends but woe betide anyone who crossed him! We both shared the Unitarian faith and Liberal politics.
"He came down to Shropshire and to Birmingham to campaign for me again in the 1999 election when I first stood for the European Parliament, never something he was wildly keen on.
"We have lost one of the great characters of post war British politics."
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