Shirley Williams has died, aged 90
Very sad news about one of the greats of post-war British politics, and someone who broke a good few glass ceilings on the way. A Cabinet minister with Labour, a founder of the SDP and Leader of the Liberal Democrats in the House of Lords, she inspired a huge number of people:
On behalf of her family, it is with great sadness that we announce that Shirley Williams, Baroness Williams of Crosby, died peacefully in the early hours of this morning. pic.twitter.com/gwzcPKAths
— Liberal Democrats (@LibDems) April 12, 2021
Shirley Williams was a titan of the SDP and the Liberal Democrats; a hero to the people she inspired throughout her life. She’ll be greatly missed by all of us.
— English Young Liberals (@English_YL) April 12, 2021
Devastated to hear that Shirley Williams has died. She was an enormous personal inspiration and I will always be grateful for her kindness, humour and encouragement. Mother of the SDP and the Liberal Democrat Party, she was a trailblazing titan of politics. May she rest in peace
— Layla Moran 🔶 (@LaylaMoran) April 12, 2021
Really saddened to hear of the death of our former Leader in the Lords Rt Hon Shirley Williams. She was a source of inspiration for me over many years since I was her aide at the Cosby by-election.
— Richard Kemp CBE (@cllrkemp) April 12, 2021
Shirley spent a few days in Scotland ahead of #indyref in 2014. I met her many times but this is the only photo of the two of us that exists as fas as I know. She was my first political hero. And she totally disproved the rule about meeting your heroes. pic.twitter.com/Rrq5bP9sdw
— Caron Lindsay 🔶 (@caronmlindsay) April 12, 2021
The obits are going to be fantastic. My favourite Shirley Williams anecdote: pic.twitter.com/mgJtZQDruJ
— Gabriel Milland (@gabrielmilland) April 12, 2021
I used to brief Lib Dems for Question Time. Others with less impressive careers than Shirley Williams would not always react well to this. She was a joy, would cheerfully ignore our suggestions and just tell a series of terrific anecdotes until the meeting was wildly overrunning.
— Sean Kemp (@Sean_Kemp) April 12, 2021
Shirley Williams was my political hero. She fought for what she believed and improved countless lives in the process. She will be sorely missed. pic.twitter.com/SlypQTRkF5
— Lisa Smart (@Lisa_Smart) April 12, 2021
Shirley was my political hero – so very sad that I will no longer be able to hear her wisdom and her intellect. She always made sense. #shirleywilliamsRIP
— Lynne Featherstone (@lfeatherstone) April 12, 2021
Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said:
This is heartbreaking for me and for our whole Liberal Democrat family.
Shirley has been an inspiration to millions, a Liberal lion and a true trailblazer. I feel privileged to have known her, listened to her and worked with her. Like so many others, I will miss her terribly.
Political life will be poorer without her intellect, her wisdom and her generosity. Shirley had a limitless empathy only too rare in politics today; she connected with people, cared about their lives and saw politics as a crucial tool to change lives for the better.
As a young Liberal, Shirley Williams had a profound impact on me, as she did on countless others across the political spectrum. Her vision and bravery, not least in founding the SDP, continues to inspire Liberal Democrats today.
Rest in peace, Shirley. My thoughts and prayers are with your family and your friends.
Leader of the Liberal Democrat party in the House of Lords Dick Newby said:
Shirley Williams was a charismatic, committed and fearless politician who believed passionately in a fairer society and in Britain’s European destiny. She was an inspiration and mentor to many younger politicians and maintained her campaigning zeal to the end. She was central to the formation of the SDP and the Liberal Democrats, and will be greatly missed by many in her extended political family.
First elected an MP in 1964, she retired from the House of Lords in 2016, giving a wonderful farewell speech.
I still remember with affection the first time I met her, back in the 1992 general election. I was then in York, very much not a target seat. Travelling between two target seats, Shirley had about half an hour to spare between trains. Rather than take the chance for a rest and a coffee, she warned the local party so that a local press call could be arranged. Cue half an hour of her campaigning on train station platforms, bounding up to strangers and engaging them in conversation.
My memory also tells me, accurately I hope, of a great Question Time appearance from her. Quizzed by a persistent member of the pubic who didn’t like her answer to their question, she responded, “Well, if you don’t agree with me, don’t vote for me”.
Love and sympathy to her family and friends.
Sign up to get the latest news and analysis
"*" indicates required fields
Leave a Reply