Former Labour minister Phil Woolas dies aged 66
Former Labour minister Phil Woolas dies aged 66
Phil Woolas, a former Labour minister known for a contentious debate with actress Joanna Lumley, passed away at 66 due to brain cancer. His career was marked by a notable TV clash that captured public attention and a political downfall linked to a court ruling on electoral misconduct.
He served as MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth from 1997 to 2010, holding various ministerial positions during the tenures of Sir Tony Blair and Gordon Brown. Among his roles, he held the position of immigration minister in 2008, a time when he was embroiled in a high-profile dispute over the rights of retired Gurkhas in the UK.
His political career faced a dramatic end in 2010 after a court found him guilty of breaking electoral law by making false statements about his Liberal Democrat opponent. This ruling triggered an election re-run, a decision that became a significant moment in his time in Parliament.
The TV confrontation with Joanna Lumley occurred in 2009, during a heated debate on proposals to restrict Gurkha settlement rights. At the time, Woolas was the Home Office’s immigration minister, while Lumley led the Gurkhas Justice Campaign. The clash, broadcast live, highlighted the ideological divide between the two as they argued over the policies affecting retired Gurkhas.
“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.” — Joanna Lumley
Woolas’s early life in politics began with his 16-year-old entrance into the Labour Party, followed by leadership roles in the National Union of Students. His career later included stints as deputy Commons leader and a local government minister, alongside his work in communications for the GMB union. In 1996, he orchestrated a memorable protest by bringing a live pig to a British Gas AGM, symbolizing the union’s stance against a pay rise.
Sir Tony Blair reflected on Woolas’s contributions, stating: “Phil was an outstanding member of the New Labour government, a greatly respected and admired colleague, and a source of both humour and rich political insight to all lucky enough to know him. I remember and deeply appreciate his support to me over the years, through the good times and the bad.” John Healey, a close friend and Defence Secretary, added: “During the ’80s and ’90s, many helped shape New Labour by modernizing the student movement and other key institutions. No one was more central to this effort than Phil.”
After a brief career in television, Woolas transitioned to union work, becoming head of communications for the GMB. His 1997 election marked a return to Parliament following a loss in the Littleborough and Saddleworth by-election. Throughout his time in office, he was known for his bold and often controversial approach, which culminated in his 2010 electoral petition case.