Brian Mawhinney RIP

Brian Mawhinney, Lord Mawhinney, who was chairman of the Conservative party and Transport secretary under John Major, making him the first Ulsterman to join the cabinet in 59 years, has died at the age of 79.

After leaving politics he became Chairman of the Football League.

I knew him slightly when he was MP for Peterborough and I was active in the Eastern Area of the Conservative party. He was a very straightforward person in his approach to politics but was often capable of greater subtlety than people expected of him, for example in his sense of humour.

He was a loyal colleague and a doughty fighter for the things he believed in. He will be missed.

Rest in Peace.

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