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| Labour MP Gerald Kaufman dies at 86 | Labour MP Gerald Kaufman dies at 86 |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| Sir Gerald Kaufman, Labour MP for Manchester Gorton and Father of the House of Commons, has died aged 86. | Sir Gerald Kaufman, Labour MP for Manchester Gorton and Father of the House of Commons, has died aged 86. |
| His family made the announcement late on Sunday, calling him "a great socialist and parliamentarian". | His family made the announcement late on Sunday, calling him "a great socialist and parliamentarian". |
| Sir Gerald, who was the oldest serving MP, famously called his party's left-wing 1983 election manifesto "the longest suicide note in history". | Sir Gerald, who was the oldest serving MP, famously called his party's left-wing 1983 election manifesto "the longest suicide note in history". |
| Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn led tributes to him, calling him an "iconic and irascible figure". | Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn led tributes to him, calling him an "iconic and irascible figure". |
| Former leader Ed Miliband said he was "an outstanding servant of the Labour movement", adding: "His principles, values and friendship will be sorely missed." | Former leader Ed Miliband said he was "an outstanding servant of the Labour movement", adding: "His principles, values and friendship will be sorely missed." |
| A family spokesman confirmed he had been suffering from a long-term illness for several months. | A family spokesman confirmed he had been suffering from a long-term illness for several months. |
| Sir Gerald became an MP in north-west England in 1970, first for the Manchester Ardwick constituency and then for Manchester Gorton, which he had served since 1983. | Sir Gerald became an MP in north-west England in 1970, first for the Manchester Ardwick constituency and then for Manchester Gorton, which he had served since 1983. |
| He was a junior minister between 1974 and 1979, and held a number of senior shadow cabinet posts through the 1980s, before returning to the backbenches in the early 1990s. | He was a junior minister between 1974 and 1979, and held a number of senior shadow cabinet posts through the 1980s, before returning to the backbenches in the early 1990s. |
| A family spokesman said: "Sir Gerald dedicated his life to serving those who he believed would benefit most from a Labour government and Labour values in action. | A family spokesman said: "Sir Gerald dedicated his life to serving those who he believed would benefit most from a Labour government and Labour values in action. |
| "He believed that policy and principle without power were simply not enough to deliver the better life that he fought for on behalf of his constituents for almost 50 years. | "He believed that policy and principle without power were simply not enough to deliver the better life that he fought for on behalf of his constituents for almost 50 years. |
| "[Throughout his illness], he remained firmly committed to, and focused on, the activities and wellbeing of his beloved constituency." | "[Throughout his illness], he remained firmly committed to, and focused on, the activities and wellbeing of his beloved constituency." |
| Sir Gerald was a member of the Jewish Labour Movement and was known for his criticism of Israel, calling senior politicians from the country "war criminals" in 2002. | Sir Gerald was a member of the Jewish Labour Movement and was known for his criticism of Israel, calling senior politicians from the country "war criminals" in 2002. |
| Mr Corbyn said: "Gerald came from a proud Jewish background. He always wanted to bring peace to the Middle East and it was my pleasure to travel with him to many countries. | Mr Corbyn said: "Gerald came from a proud Jewish background. He always wanted to bring peace to the Middle East and it was my pleasure to travel with him to many countries. |
| "He loved life and politics. I will deeply miss him, both for his political commitment and constant friendship." | "He loved life and politics. I will deeply miss him, both for his political commitment and constant friendship." |
| Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell tweeted: "Sad to hear of Gerald Kaufman's death. He was a tremendously dedicated servant of his constituency and our party. A man of absolute principle." | |
| And Commons Speaker John Bercow called him an "outstanding representative" and a "passionate campaigner for social justice, here in Britain and around the world". | And Commons Speaker John Bercow called him an "outstanding representative" and a "passionate campaigner for social justice, here in Britain and around the world". |