Warm tributes paid to former MP (From Cotswold Journal)

Warm tributes paid to former MP

3:00pm Thursday 14th June 2012 in News

FOND tributes have been paid to former Stratford MP John Maples who has lost his battle with cancer.

The Conservative peer and former minister, who died on Saturday aged 69, represented Shipston and the surrounding south Warwickshire villages for 13 years after he was elected as MP for Stratford in 1997.

Mr Maples began his career as MP for Lewisham West in 1983, before serving as a Treasury minister under former Prime Ministers Margaret Thatcher and John Major. He held a number of frontbench positions in opposition under William Hague, including foreign affairs, health and defence.

After standing down as an MP in 2010, he became a life peer.

Current Stratford MP Nadhim Zahawi described Mr Maples as “a great Parliamentarian and a dedicated Constituency MP” who served with “distinction”

during his 22 years in parliament.

“He was a gentle and decent man and a real source of help and advice to me when I was selected as the Conservative candidate for Stratford and later when I was elected as the MP,” said Mr Zahawi.

“I think all those who met John will remember has as a personable and intelligent man.

“The deep affection in which he is held by all those who knew and worked with him in both the constituency and Westminster says a huge amount about the man that he was, and I know he will be sorely missed.”

Councillor Alan Farnell, leader of Warwickshire County Council, described him as “a gentleman” and “a reliable Parliamentarian with a measured approach to politics”.

Mr Maples’ death was announced in the House of Lords by the Lord Speaker Baroness D’Souza.

He leaves behind his wife Jane and children Tom and Rose.