News from Welsh Labour

Paul Murphy and Rhodri Morgan pay tribute to former Labour MP Leo Abse

Welsh Secretary Paul Murphy and Wales’ First Minister Rhodri Morgan have today paid tribute to former Labour MP Leo Abse, who died today at the age of 91.

Mr. Abse was Labour MP for Pontypool and then for the Torfaen constituency in South Wales between 1958 and 1987. He was succeeded as the Member of Parliament by Paul Murphy, the current Secretary of State for Wales.

Torfaen MP and Welsh Secretary Paul Murphy MP said:

“I am deeply sad that Leo has passed away. He was a personal friend for well over 40 years. I worked with him first as his constituency party secretary and later, of course, as his successor as MP for Torfaen. He was a very distinguished Parliamentarian and social reformer who has left an indelible mark on his country. The lives of millions of people over the years have been improved because of his social reforms.

“Leo was a passionate Welshman and a fine constituency MP for the eastern valley, which he represented in Parliament for nearly 30 years. I personally owe him a great debt, and I know that MPs from all sides of the House will mourn his passing.”

First Minister Rhodri Morgan said Mr Abse’s death was a “huge loss” to Welsh public life and the Welsh Labour movement.

First Minister Rhodri Morgan AM said:

“It is very rare for one MP to have been involved in so many major pieces of social legislation in relation to homosexuality, divorce and abortion, which have had a huge impact on the whole of British society.

“That is perhaps a tribute to how Leo used his legal knowledge, built up in his law practice, Leo Abse and Cohen, and then applied it to his work in the House of Commons in such a remarkable way.

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