Frank Field dead at 81 – Ex-Labour MP and peer passes away after prostate cancer battle | N752QLJ | 2024-04-30 08:08:01
FORMER Labour minister and peer Frank Field has died aged 81 after a battle with prostate cancer.
Field revealed in 2021 that he was battling a terminal illness and was told he had just weeks to live.
His family this morning announced the veteran politician – who represented Birkenhead in the Wirral, Merseyside for 40 years as an MP – had passed away.
After revealing he was terminally ill, Field became an advocate for assisted dying.
He was initially cared for by a hospice after being diagnosed with prostate cancer, but then came back out.
In an interview with the Times last year, Field said: "I'm just happily waiting for the end.
"As I feel you may hear, the cancer's moved around in my neck and makes speech rather difficult.
"I hope it's clear enough to understand. But I'm just in good spirits really. Surprising given what I am waiting for."
Tributes are already pouring in for the former MP.
In a statement, issued by the Parliamentary office, his loved ones this morning said: "Frank Field (Rt Hon Lord Field of Birkenhead, CH) has died at the age of 81 following a period of illness.
"Frank was director of the Child Poverty Action Group between 1969 and 1979, and the Member of Parliament for Birkenhead between 1979 and 2019."
It continued: "Frank is survived by two brothers.
"He will be mourned by admirers across politics but above all he will be greatly missed by those lucky enough to have enjoyed his laughter and friendship."
Field had been the director of Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) from 1969 until 1979.
Alison Garnham, the group's chief executive, today said: "Frank was a steadfast, highly successful and diligent campaigner against child poverty.
"It is largely down to Frank that we have child benefit today – a truly towering achievement.
"He gained support and respect from across the political spectrum and defined the concept of the 'poverty trap' – now commonly used to describe the difficulties for working people of getting better off while claiming means-tested benefits because of the high rate at which benefits are withdrawn as earnings rise.
"As CPAG director, Frank also helped pave the way for the minimum wage, free school meals and rent allowances for low-income families, all fundamental social protections.
"Frank was a true champion for children and low-income families and with child poverty at a record high today, families need his like as never before. He will be greatly missed. Our deep sympathy and condolences to those closest to him."
Shadow health secretary Wes Streeting also expressed his "deepest condolences to all who knew and loved" Field.
</div> Writing on X, formerly Twitter, the Labour MP for Ilford North said: "Rest in peace, Frank Field.
"A great parliamentarian, crusader for social justice and source of wise counsel.
"What a blessing to have known him and benefited from his advice and kindness, even as his illness gripped him."
Field, from Edmonton, north London, never married or had children, but his friends have described him as having a "full life outside of politics".
Among his most notable positions was that of Welfare Reform Minister in Tony Blair's first Cabinet from 1997 to 1998.
He later resigned after "differences" with the Prime Minister, and, in 2018, resigned the Labour whip citing anti-Semitism in the party.
<!--googleoff: all--> <blockquote class="article__quote"> </blockquote> <!--googleon: all--> He went on to form the Birkenhead Social Justice Party, but was beaten by the Labour candidate Mick Whitley in the 2019 general election.
He collapsed during a public meeting in March 2015, reportedly following a heated exchange, and was admitted to hospital.
In October 2021, Field revealed he was terminally ill and had spent time in a hospice.
It was then that he told of his support for a law that allows assisted dying.
Peers were debating in the House of Lords whether to permit people with a short time left to live to choose when they die.
This would be on the provision that two doctors agree the person is mentally competent, they have fewer than six months left, and they actively want the right to choose.
</div> </div> In an emotional statement read to fellow peers on behalf of Field, Baroness Meacher, who was leading the bill, said: "Our colleague, Lord Field, who is dying, asked me to read out a short statement.
"I have just spent a period in a hospice and I am not well enough to participate in today's debate.
"If I had been, I would have spoken strongly in favour of a second reading.
"I changed my mind on assisted dying when an MP friend was dying of cancer and wanted to die early before the full horror effects set in but was denied this opportunity.
"I hope the House will today vote for the Assisted Dying Bill."
He added that concerns that people might be pressured to end their lives were "unfounded".
Reflecting on his time in politics until 2019, Field's family said: "During that time, he served as a Minister for Welfare Reform and led the Independent Review on Poverty and Life Chances.
"He also chaired the House of Commons Work and Pensions Select Committee (and its predecessor Committee on Social Services and Social Security) as well as the Joint Committee on the Draft Modern Slavery Bill.
"In 2020, Frank entered the House of Lords as the Rt Hon the Lord Field of Birkenhead, was appointed Member of the Order of the Companions of Honour (CH) in the 2022 New Year Honours and continued to serve on the boards of Cool Earth, Feeding Britain and the Frank Field Education Trust.
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