Prime Minister Andy Burnham has honoured the life and work of veteran Manchester councillor Pat Karney, describing him as 'a tireless champion for the people' after his death at the age of 78.
Pat, the longest-serving councillor in the chamber at Manchester Town Hall, died on Tuesday night after being treated in hospital for cancer. He had represented the Harpurhey ward since 1979.
Prime Minister's tribute in the Commons
Ahead of Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday, Mr Burnham addressed the House of Commons to pay tribute to Pat, saying he served Manchester for almost 50 years as a councillor 'in such a dedicated way'.
He told MPs: "He saw the city through some of its greatest challenges. He has fittingly been called Mr Manchester on the front page of the Manchester Evening News today. Thank you Pat for your contribution to Manchester and to politics in our country."
Writing on X before delivering his Commons tribute, Mr Burnham said: "I'm deeply saddened to hear that Pat Karney has died. Pat gave nearly 50 years of his life to serving Manchester. He saw the city through some of its toughest times and played his part in the growth and transformation that followed. I knew Pat for many years. He loved Manchester deeply and was a tireless champion for the people he represented. I'll miss him greatly. My thoughts are with his family and everyone who knew and loved him."
Flags at half-mast and book of condolence
A Union flag was flying at half-mast in Pat's memory at Manchester Central Library today, where a book of condolence also opened. The council said the book was opened at 11.30am and will be available in the Shakespeare Hall of Manchester Central Library, just inside the main entrance, with an online book of condolence also available.
A council spokesperson said: "The Union Flag on Central Library will be flown at half-mast today in tribute to Cllr Karney, who was first elected in 1979 and was the longest-serving sitting councillor on Manchester City Council."
Colleagues pay their respects
Described as a 'force of nature', Pat was one of the city's most prominent and well-known local politicians, respected by colleagues from all parties across Greater Manchester. He is credited with playing a key role in the city's revival after the IRA bombing of 1996, championed LGBT equality and Manchester's Gay Village, and was the city's self-appointed Christmas 'spokesperson'.
MPs also paid tribute. Stalybridge and Hyde MP Jonathan Reynolds said Pat 'didn't just witness Manchester's transformation, he helped make it happen'. "Pat loved Manchester, believed in its people and devoted so much of his life to making it a better, fairer and more welcoming place. And Manchester loved him right back. What a Mancunian. What a man," he said.
Manchester Central MP Lucy Powell, the deputy Labour leader, paid tribute to 'an icon'. "He was the face and the voice of our city during our happy times and our sad times," she said. "Known for his famous Christmas and Manchester celebrations, he was also a great campaigner and never forgot his roots in working class Manchester. He was a true friend to me and to a generation of others. Pat was a total one-off who will be greatly missed and very fondly remembered for years to come."
