Veteran former Merseyside MP Sir George Howarth has died.
Howarth represented Knowsley for nearly four decades from 1986 after winning a by-election until stepping down at the last General Election.in July 2024.
The Prescot-born politician served the area through decades of constituency changes in the Knowsley North and Sefton East seats until his retirement.
He attended Huyton Secondary School, Kirkby College of Further Education and Liverpool Polytechnic before his political career began in local government in 1971.
Sir George was a member of the Huyton District Council and later Knowsley Borough Council, where he became deputy leader prior to moving to Parliament.
The 77-year-old first entered the House of Commons following the Knowsley North by-election triggered by Robert Kilroy-Silk pursuing a television career.
His popularity swelled in the 2017 General Election to an 85% vote share for Labour which remains one of the largest majorities on record in the country’s history.
Tony Blair sought Sir George’s expertise for two Parliamentary Under Secretary of State roles for the Home Office and the Northern Ireland Office in the late 1990s.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer joined a number of tributes from Sir George’s former parliamentary colleagues after news of his passing on Monday (July 6).
He said: “I am sad to hear of the passing of Sir George Howarth.
“A lifetime of public service, 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.”