I wish she had led the SDP rather than Roy Jenkins.
I had massive respect for both of them but Shirley was a brilliant communicator and genuinely liked by the public and even her Tory opponents.
She was intelligent with an ability to show real empathy.
I read today that back in the mid 60s, when Prisons Minister, she spent time in prison undercover to see what it was like for female prisoners. With the possible exception of Rory Stewart, I can't imagine any of today's politicians doing that.
I was a member of the Liberal Party during the time of the Gang of Four and the formation of the SDP. She helpex steer the party into the merger with the Liberals to form the Lib Dems. Of the original Gang of Four, Roy Jenkins was at the EU and Bill Rodgers lost his seat in 1983, Shirley also lost her seat after winning Crosby in an extraordinary by-election. That left David Owen as the sole parliamentary representative of the original gang.
Owen with Rosie Barnes was against the merger. Shirley, Bob Mclennon and Charles Kennedy were in favour. She helped steer the merger through with Bob Mclennon as the caretaker leader.
She remained active in the Lib Dems becoming their President and Leader in the H o L.
I never ceased to be impressed by her energy and intellect. Liberalism has lost an iconic figure. She will be greatly missed.
''It is with great sadness that I have to inform you that Shirley Williams, Baroness Williams of Crosby, died peacefully in the early hours of Monday April 12th.
This is heartbreaking news for our whole Liberal Democrat family.
Shirley has been an inspiration to millions, a Liberal lion and a true trailblazer. I feel privileged to have known her, listened to her and worked with her. Like so many others, I will miss her terribly.
Political life will be poorer without her intellect, her wisdom and her generosity. Shirley had a limitless empathy only too rare in politics today; she connected with people, cared about their lives and saw politics as a crucial tool to change lives for the better.
As a young Liberal, Shirley Williams had a profound impact on me, as she did on countless others across the political spectrum. Her vision and bravery, not least in founding the SDP, continues to inspire Liberal Democrats today.''
Comments
I had massive respect for both of them but Shirley was a brilliant communicator and genuinely liked by the public and even her Tory opponents.
She was intelligent with an ability to show real empathy.
I read today that back in the mid 60s, when Prisons Minister, she spent time in prison undercover to see what it was like for female prisoners. With the possible exception of Rory Stewart, I can't imagine any of today's politicians doing that.
I was a member of the Liberal Party during the time of the Gang of Four and the formation of the SDP. She helpex steer the party into the merger with the Liberals to form the Lib Dems. Of the original Gang of Four, Roy Jenkins was at the EU and Bill Rodgers lost his seat in 1983, Shirley also lost her seat after winning Crosby in an extraordinary by-election. That left David Owen as the sole parliamentary representative of the original gang.
Owen with Rosie Barnes was against the merger. Shirley, Bob Mclennon and Charles Kennedy were in favour. She helped steer the merger through with Bob Mclennon as the caretaker leader.
She remained active in the Lib Dems becoming their President and Leader in the H o L.
I never ceased to be impressed by her energy and intellect. Liberalism has lost an iconic figure. She will be greatly missed.
May she rest in peace.
''It is with great sadness that I have to inform you that Shirley Williams, Baroness Williams of Crosby, died peacefully in the early hours of Monday April 12th.
This is heartbreaking news for our whole Liberal Democrat family.
Shirley has been an inspiration to millions, a Liberal lion and a true trailblazer. I feel privileged to have known her, listened to her and worked with her. Like so many others, I will miss her terribly.
Political life will be poorer without her intellect, her wisdom and her generosity. Shirley had a limitless empathy only too rare in politics today; she connected with people, cared about their lives and saw politics as a crucial tool to change lives for the better.
As a young Liberal, Shirley Williams had a profound impact on me, as she did on countless others across the political spectrum. Her vision and bravery, not least in founding the SDP, continues to inspire Liberal Democrats today.''