Former Labour minister Phil Woolas dies aged 66
Former Labour minister Phil Woolas dies aged 66
A Labour minister once embroiled in a high-profile televised debate with Joanna Lumley passed away at 66 due to brain cancer. His political journey, marked by both ambition and controversy, came to an end after a court found him guilty of electoral law violations.
A Controversial Political Career
Woolas served as MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth from 1997 to 2010, holding key ministerial roles under Sir Tony Blair and Gordon Brown. His tenure, however, was overshadowed by a landmark court ruling that declared he had knowingly spread false claims about his Liberal Democrat rival during an election campaign.
Electoral Laws and Judicial Reckoning
The dispute centered on a 2009 proposal by Brown’s government to limit the settlement rights of retired Gurkhas in the UK. Woolas, as immigration minister, faced sharp criticism from Joanna Lumley, who led the Gurkhas Justice Campaign. The clash culminated in a chaotic joint news conference after their televised confrontation in Westminster.
Tributes from Labour Leaders
“Phil was an outstanding member of the New Labour government, a greatly respected and admired colleague, and a source of both humour and rich political insight to all lucky enough to know him,” said Sir Tony Blair. “I remember and deeply appreciate his support to me over the years, through the good times and the bad.”
“During the ’80s and ’90s many helped lay the foundations for New Labour, defeating the hard left and modernising the student movement, trade unions, media, Labour Party and Parliamentary Labour Party. No-one played a significant role in all these areas—except Phil,” added Defence Secretary John Healey, a close friend. “He was a highly regarded ministerial operator with friends across the political divide, despite being a fiercely loyal Labour man all his life.”
Before entering politics, Woolas was president of the National Union of Students from 1984 to 1986. He later worked as a TV producer and became head of communications for the GMB union, orchestrating a memorable protest stunt involving a live pig at British Gas’s annual meeting.
Woolas’s career saw him rise through the ranks as deputy Commons leader and a local government minister under Blair, followed by roles in the environment sector and immigration under Brown. His 2010 election was narrowly won by 103 votes, prompting an election petition that led to a court-ordered rerun.
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