Hertsmere MP pays tribute to ‘towering figure’ Lord Cecil Parkinson

Tributes have been paid by a local politician to former Conservative politician and cabinet minister Lord Cecil Parkinson, who has died of cancer, aged 84.

File photo dated 13/10/05 of Lord and Lady Parkinson, whose family have announced his death. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Monday January 25, 2016. Photo credit: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire - Credit: PA

Hertsmere MP Oliver Dowden, of St Albans, has paid tribute to his predecessor who served the constituency from June 9, 1983, until April 9, 1992.

Mr Dowden said: “I was very sorry to learn that Cecil, Lord Parkinson, has died after a battle with cancer.

“He was a towering figure nationally, playing a central role in the great reforming Thatcher governments of the 1980s, but he was also a brilliant local MP, who served Hertsmere from the constituency’s creation until 1992.”

The politician added: “Time and time again, local residents would recall him with tremendous warmth and fondness, something that I have experienced since I was selected as the Conservative candidate in 2014.

“My thoughts and prayers are with his wife Ann and the rest of his family.”