22 July 2023 , 17:46
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Tony Blair led tributes to former Labour MP Ann Clwyd who has died at the age of 86.
Ms Clwyd was elected to the Cynon Valley seat in South Wales in 1984, representing the constituency for 35 years. She became the oldest woman to sit in the House of Commons before standing down in 2019.
The former journalist held a series of frontbench posts in opposition including shadow Welsh secretary and shadow international development secretary. As a backbencher she campaigned to highlight the atrocities of Saddam Hussein against the Iraqi Kurds and was a strong supporter of the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Her family said she died peacefully at home in Cardiff on Friday evening.
Former Labour leader Sir Tony said: "Ann was a courageous, fearless, principled political campaigner, whose politics remained steadfastly wedded to representation of the poor and oppressed wherever in the world she found them.
"She didn't flinch from speaking her mind, no matter what the personal or political cost.
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"She fought the case of those employed in the coal industry, persuading my government to correct the failure to compensate former miners for the ill health they suffered through mining."
Ann Clwyd after holding the Welsh mining constituency of Cynon Valley in the 1984 general election. (PA)He added: "She was a stalwart campaigner for better healthcare, typically using her own experience to advocate on behalf of others.
"And having spent a large part of her life standing up against the brutal repression of the Kurdish people in Iraq, she supported the removal of Saddam Hussein, not only when it was relatively easy to do so, but when the going got tough.
"I admired her enormously and am deeply sorry at her passing. A remarkable woman with an outstanding record of service to others."
Labour leader Keir Starmer tweeted: “Incredibly sad to hear that Ann Clwyd, former Labour MP for Cynon Valley has passed away.
“A long standing Chair of the Parliamentary Labour Party, Ann was a leading figure in the Labour Party, dedicating her life to our movement.
“My thoughts are with her family and friends.”
Jo Stevens, Labour MP for Cardiff Central and shadow secretary of state for Wales, said: "Ann really was a trailblazer for women, not just in Wales but across the UK and abroad.
"Determined, passionate, fierce and stood her ground, showing huge strength of character. Ann was also very kind, funny and loyal to her many friends and constituents.
"She was hugely supportive to me when I arrived at Parliament in 2015, always had time to chat and give wise advice. I'll miss her. She was one of a kind."
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Welsh Secretary David TC Davies said of Ms Clwyd: "She was an exceptional parliamentarian who was a champion of many causes. My thoughts and prayers are with her family."