David Taylor

Politician | Died in 2009

MP for North West Leicestershire who offered ‘value for money’

The well known and respected Labour MP for North West Leicestershire, David Taylor, died following a heart attack during a family day out on Boxing Day 2009.

MPs from all parties paid tribute to David, who was 63, including Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

Mr Brown said: "David was one of the most hard-working MPs locally and nationally, a great representative who felt and spoke up for the needs of his constituents."

Mr Taylor was enjoying a walk with his family at Calke Abbey when he suffered a massive heart attack. Married in 1969, he leaves four daughters and two grandchildren. He also had a son, who is deceased.

He had held his seat since 1997 and was due to stand down at the next General Election.

Known as an independently-minded MP, he won the title of Commons Backbencher of the Year in the 2007 annual awards organised by Sky TV and The House magazine and decided by a ballot of all 646 MPs.

In April, he was named in the top 10 of the Sunday Telegraph's "value for money MPs" league table.

Related tributes:
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- Labour
- Leicestershire

Your Memories

David Taylor MP was an extremely hardworking politician in NWL and a huge support to me, indeed he was my agent, when I stood as a district councillor for Kegworth and Hemmington in 1995 and won. He was also a great support to my late wife Senga throughout her long illness. When I remarried and moved to Ellistown Sylvia and I were constantly bumping into David in the Ibstock Co op and he would always comment on how he had heard Sylvia's latest TV or radio contribution. He was truly committed to helping all his constituents no matter which party they belonged to and he will be sorely missed. Our thoughts go out to his widow Pam and their four daughters. Fred Harris — 28.12.2009

We at CLASP - the Leicestershire and Rutland Carers Centre - feel David's passing like a body blow. David, for many years ,was a stalwart Champion of the cause of Carers across Leicestershire and Rutland and showed an interest and concern, when others have chosen to ignore the role played by Carers within society. He came to know many of our members personally as he hosted visits and lobbies for CLASP and Carers at Westminster. He also made time to attend our AGM.
We offer our deep and sincere condolences to his family and our thoughts and prayers are with them at this time.
Greg Drozdz - Chief Executive Officer - CLASP - the Leics and Rutland Carers Centre Greg Drozdz — 28.12.2009

I was the Labour MP for Ilford North from 1997-2005 and remember David as a lovely man and a brilliant colleague. I went to Leicester University in the late 60s and David and I established an early rapport because of our shared connection. I worked with him in the Smoking and Health Group and he was one of the staunchest campaigners for a smoking ban. He worked tirelessly on health issues. I'm very proud that, like me, he voted against the Iraq war. He was an independent spirit, framing pertinent, probing well-researched questions which left you sitting back in admiration. When we talked of our families, I recall how lovingly he spoke of his wife, Pam and four daughters. My thoughts are with them and his other family and colleagues who will miss him so much. Linda Perham — 29.12.2009