Prime Minister leads tributes

Prime Minister Gordon Brown has paid tribute to David Taylor, describing him as "one of the most hard working MPs locally and nationally".

The Prime Minister said Mr Taylor had been "a strong campaigner and representative of his community for decades".

Mr Brown went on to praise the MP's "indefatigable campaigning, constant attendance in the Commons and his independence of mind - no greater tribute can be made to David's lasting legacy as a local champion for North West Leicestershire.

"David's contribution will be sorely missed by his friends, colleagues and constituents.

"Sarah and I are thinking today of his wife, Pamela, their four daughters and their wider family."

Regional Minister for the East Midlands Phil Hope MP said: "I am shocked and saddened at this news and my thoughts are with his family at this time.

"He was a great campaigner in the East Midlands, a very caring person and a popular local MP who believed deeply in the principles of social justice and co-operation. He will be much missed."

Labour MP for Leicester South Sir Peter Soulsby said: "It's a terrible shock.

"I'd known David for many years, long before he was a member of Parliament and he's remained unchanged through all of those years.

"He was kind, considerate, passionately committed and the absolute model of a backbencher."

His friend, Ross Willmott, leader of Leicester City Council, who has already been chosen as Labour's candidate to replace Mr Taylor in the constituency, said: "I've known David for more than 35 years. He gave me my first Labour Party membership card in 1972.

"Ever since, he has been a friend, mentor and a guide. He is a tremendous loss to us all.

"He was a fantastic member of Parliament and was second to none as a constituency MP.

"I've been campaigning for a year and the most common thing I've heard on the doorstep is that David's was a massive pair of shoes to fill."

Andy Reed, MP for Loughborough, had known Mr Taylor for 20 years. He said: "I am deeply shocked.

"I saw David last Sunday night and just expected to see him when Parliament returned.

"My thoughts are with Pam and his family. I know how much they were looking forward to having him around a bit more as he was due to stand down as an MP."

Patricia Hewitt, MP for Leicester West, said: "He was an outstanding MP. He will be sorely missed."

Burton MP and fellow Labour backbencher Janet Dean said: “David was a very kind and sincere man and it’s come as a great shock to hear of his death. A lot of his constituents used services in Burton, so we often worked together on issues.

“I always found David to be an exceptionally kind, very hard-working and a very thoughtful MP. My thoughts are with his family.”

Tony Lloyd, Chair of the Parliamentary Labour Party, said "Please pass on my profound sympathy and that of the whole of the Parliamentary Labour Party on the news of David's death. He was such a full-of-life character that it is nearly impossible to believe he is not with us now. David was a very good MP and parliamentarian and will be missed; his easy wit rarely disguised a serious and commited political vision. i hope the sympathy of so many will be a little comfort at what I know is an awful time."

Jim Sheridan MP said "Please pass on my condolences and that of my local party and constituents to David's family. He was a hugely respected figure in our party and will be sadly missed."

Labour’s Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Bosworth Rory Palmer, said “David Taylor’s untimely death is a terribly sad shock. My thoughts are with his wife, family and friends. David’s tireless work in North West Leicestershire will never be forgotten. He was one of the most dedicated parliamentarians of his generation and was rightly recognised for his commitment to parliament when he was awarded the Backbencher of the Year Award. David worked tirelessly for the people of North West Leicestershire. He made a difference to thousands of families across the area. As a political colleague I will always be grateful for David’s encouragement, support and for his good and honest advice. David will be missed, not just as an MP but because of the sort of person he was; friendly, approachable, honest and hard working. Above all he was a decent man committed to public service.”

Sophie Churchill said "All of us at the National Forest Company who knew David will share in some small your message the shock and sadness which you and the family will be going through.  I was with David a couple of weeks ago and we spoke of how tough the last year had been with all the pressure. I did say to him 'You do know how respected you are in the constituency all the same, don't you, despite all the national pressure on MPs?' He said 'Yes, people have said very kind things'.

It's good to know that it isn't only after his sudden death that we are all paying these tributes. I'm only sorry that in some way it feels as if his dedication to caring for all his constituents, along with other pressure, may have taken its toll.

On behalf of the National Forest Company I join others in paying tribute to someone who really did work with a passion for this special place in the middle of the country. The National Forest benefitted greatly from his enthusiasm."
 

Greg Mulholland MP, chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Save the Pub Group, extended his condolences to the family of Labour MP for North West Leicestershire David Taylor, secretary of the Save the Pub Group. He said: “David was a very active member of the group and we will sorely miss him, as will all who knew him”.
 

Christine Fisher, Chief Executive of North West Leicestershire District Council, said: “We were all greatly saddened to hear of David's passing. David was a hard-working politician who gained the greatest respect from his constituents in North West Leicestershire. He will be a tough act to follow.  Our thoughts are with his family and friends and we offer them our deepest condolences.”