Ex-Stretford MP Sir Tony Lloyd remembered at service in town

Sir Tony, who served the constituency for more than a decade, died surrounded by his family from a form of leukaemia last month.

The ex-Stretford MP was a councillor on Trafford Council before his election to the House of Commons and, after the abolition of the constituency, he became MP for Manchester Central then MP for Rochdale, a role in which he worked up until a few days before his death.

Also Police and Crime Commissioner for Greater Manchester and Interim Mayor of Greater Manchester over the course of a career spanning more than 40 years, he was remembered by those across the political spectrum for his dedication and his devotion to public service.

On Friday (February 16), councillors, council leaders, mayors, MPs and Labour Party leaders past and present in the form of Gordon Brown and Keir Starmer came together at St Hugh of Lincoln RC Church on Glastonbury Road to remember him alongside his loved ones.

The former Prime Minister and the Labour Party deputy leader, Angela Rayner, were among those to make speeches in a service led by the Right Reverend John Arnold, the Bishop of Salford, with both Mr Brown and Mr Rayner picking up on similar themes about Sir Tony.

Mr Brown said: "For Tony, fighting was not against groups or individuals, fighting was against inequality and injustice wherever he saw it."

Ms Rayner said: "In his own words, if not fighting for what is right and just, what is politics for? Tony fought for what was right and just."

Afterwards a wicker coffin left St Hugh of Lincoln RC Church onto Glastonbury Road before a procession left for a committal at Manchester Crematorium in Chorlton-cum-Hardy.

The family asked for all donations to go to Blood Cancer UK, UNICEF UK and the Bumblebee Conservative Trust.  

This article was written by Jack Tooth. To contact him, email jack.tooth@newsquest.co.uk or follow @JTRTooth on Twitter.