Tributes are being paid to Terry Lewis, the former Labour MP for Worsley, who has died aged 90. Lewis represented the Salford constituency from 1983 until his retirement in 2005.
Political career and principles
Lewis, a born and bred Salfordian from Ordsall, was a staunch socialist whose constituency included Salford's strongest Tory enclave. He once held the record for voting more than any other Labour MP against his own government, then led by Tony Blair. After 44 years as a member, he quit the Labour Party in 2010, saying it was close to 'Thatcherism', but rejoined in 2015 when Jeremy Corbyn became leader.
Before entering Parliament, Lewis served as a Labour councillor in Bolton and as deputy leader of Bolton Council from 1978 to 1983. The son of a dock worker, he was known as a hard-working constituency MP. It is understood he passed away on Monday evening.
Tributes from colleagues
Sitting Salford MP Rebecca Long-Bailey paid tribute, calling him 'a Salford legend, a thoroughly good man, a dedicated constituency MP and a proper Labour representative who was never afraid to stand up for what he believed was right'. She added: 'For more than two decades, he served the people of Worsley with great commitment and earned enormous respect for putting his constituents and his principles first. His contribution to Salford’s political and civic life will not be forgotten.'
Former Salford councillor John Warmisham described Lewis as 'a proper old school politician who worked hard for his constituents'. He recalled: 'On the left of the party he represented the working class, fighting for rises in pensions, voted against cuts to lone parent benefits, the abolition of student grants and the privatisation of national services. He is remembered for challenging the then Prime Minister to resign and calling him a plonker.'
Warmisham added: 'He became dissatisfied with parliamentary politics and stood down. When asked later if he missed politics he stated he missed Westminster the same way you miss a boil on the bum. Terry was a character and will be greatly missed.'
