Wednesday 8th February 2012
South-west mourns Michael Foot
Wednesday 3rd March 2010 16:12
Michael Foot:"inspirational figure"
People across the South-west are mourning the death of Plymouth-born Michael Foot.
The former Labour Party leader has died, aged 96. Mr Foot died this morning at his home in Hampstead, North London.
He was born in the Westcountry, the son of a former Liberal MP. He entered Parliament in 1945 as MP for Plymouth, and became leader in 1980 - inheriting a defeated and divided party.
He will be remembered as one of the great orators, a Labour leader and a Plymouth Argyle fan.
Tributes
Tudor Evans, Labour shadow leader of Plymouth City Council, said: "He's a hero to many in Plymouth. He was an inspirational figure to us."
Prime Minister Gordon Brown described Mr Foot as a "man of deep principle and passionate idealism".
Tributes from members of the Labour Party have been joined by Nick Clegg, leader of the Liberal Democrats. He said Michael Foot was a great Parliamentarian, a great intellectual and a great idealist.
“He always stood up for what he believed in, even if that meant inviting unpopularity at times. His intellectual integrity is an example to everyone in politics.”