Former Labour minister Phil Woolas dies aged 66
Former Labour minister Phil Woolas dies aged 66
A former Labour minister, known for a memorable TV confrontation with Joanna Lumley, has passed away at 66 following a brain cancer diagnosis.
Political Career
Phil Woolas served as a Member of Parliament for Oldham East and Saddleworth from 1997 until 2010. During his time in office, he held key ministerial roles under Sir Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, including positions in the Home Office and Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
Controversy and Defeat
His political tenure, however, came to a dramatic end when a court found him guilty of violating electoral law. The ruling stated he knowingly made false claims about his Liberal Democrat rival during the campaign, leading to an election petition and a re-election order.
Amid this scandal, Woolas faced a televised showdown with Joanna Lumley, who opposed government plans to limit the rights of retired Gurkhas in 2009. At the time, he was serving as an immigration minister, while Lumley led the Gurkhas Justice Campaign. The clash, which aired live on Sky News, escalated into a chaotic joint news conference as political allies from across the spectrum joined the debate.
During the confrontation, Lumley reportedly convinced Woolas to acknowledge the need for revised guidelines, stating: “I have met Mr Woolas now and I am reassured again. Because I know we are going to assist Mr Woolas in making the strongest guidelines possible.”
Early Life and Activism
Woolas’ journey in politics began in his youth, joining the Labour Party at 16. He later became president of the National Union of Students from 1984 to 1986. After a brief stint as a TV producer, he transitioned into union communications, orchestrating the infamous “snouts in the trough” stunt in 1996. The campaign protested a 75% salary increase for British Gas CEO Cedric Brown, featuring a live pig named Cedric at the company’s AGM.
Following a failed by-election bid in 1995, Woolas secured a seat in the 1997 Labour landslide. Before entering ministerial roles, he served as a parliamentary bag-carrier. His career spanned roles as deputy Commons leader, local government minister, and eventually immigration minister in 2008.
Legacy and Tributes
Sir Tony Blair remembered Woolas as a pivotal figure in the New Labour movement, praising his “outstanding” contributions and “humour and rich political insight.” He expressed condolences to Woolas’ family, highlighting his steadfast loyalty to the Labour Party throughout his life.
Defence Secretary John Healey, a close friend, noted Woolas’ role in shaping modern Labour, stating: “No-one played a significant role in modernizing the student movement, trade unions, media, and the Labour Party—except Phil.”
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