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Tributes to veteran MP and minister Sir George Howarth

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July 7, 2026 · 1:24 AM
Tributes to veteran MP and minister Sir George Howarth

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Tributes to veteran MP and minister Sir George Howarth

Image source, UK Parliament

Image caption,

Sir George Howarth represented Knowsley and its predecessor seats for almost 38 years

By Haider Saleem

North West

  • Published 6 July 2026

Tributes have been paid to veteran MP and former Labour minister Sir George Howarth, who has died at the age of 77.

Sir George represented the Merseyside constituency Knowsley and its predecessor seats in Parliament for almost 38 years after first being elected in a by-election in 1986 when he succeeded Robert Kilroy-Silk who later became a TV host.

He stood down at the 2024 general election, having served as a minister under Sir Tony Blair and later as a long-serving member of the Panel of Chairs in the House of Commons.

Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle led tributes in Parliament, describing Sir George as a "great politician" and his death as "another sad loss" to the House.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said Sir George had given "a lifetime of public service".

Writing on X, he said: "George served his party, his country, and the people of Knowsley with distinction.

"My thoughts, and those of the entire Labour movement, are with his family at this difficult time."

Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis also paid tribute in the Commons, calling Sir George a "hugely experienced parliamentarian" who would be "very much missed".

'Lasting legacy'

Sir George served in Sir Tony Blair's government, first in the Home Office between 1997 and 1999, and then in the Northern Ireland Office until 2001.

He was knighted in the 2019 Birthday Honours for parliamentary and political service.

Born in Prescot, Sir George was educated at Huyton Secondary School before working as a fitter, engineer and further education lecturer.

Before entering Parliament, Sir George began his political career in local government in 1971. He later served on Knowsley Borough Council, becoming its deputy leader before he was elected as MP for Knowsley North.

Boundary changes saw a new Knowsley constituency created in 2010.

Seven years later he retained his seat with a massive 85% of the poll.

Knowsley Council leader Graham Morgan said Sir George had been an "outstanding advocate for Knowsley throughout his life".

He said he had given more than five decades of service to people in the borough, championed causes close to his constituents and supported major projects including Shakespeare North Playhouse.

"Having served as a councillor, and even as deputy leader of Knowsley Council before he entered parliament, he was someone who really understood the borough and passionately wanted the very best for the area and local people," he said.

"He leaves a lasting legacy in the borough he was so proud to have grown up in, and to represent."

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