Ex-Labour MP Andrew Miller dies aged 70

LONDON: Labour colleagues have paid tribute to the former Labour MP for Ellesmere Port and Neston, Andrew Miller, who has died at the age of 70.

Miller served for 23 years, having been first elected to the Cheshire seat in 1992 defeating the Tory candidate. He was re-elected four times before he stepped down in 2015.

The current MP for Miller’s old seat, Justin Madders, said Ellesmere Port and Neston was a “much better place for his involvement”.

In 2010, Miller was confirmed as the first Chair of the House of Commons Science and Technology Select Committee, a position he held until he stood down as an MP.

He was also a former chairman of the Commons Regulatory Reform Committee.

In a statement to the PA news agency, Madders said: “Everyone who knew Andrew will be deeply saddened to hear of his passing. He served the constituency with distinction for 23 years and everywhere within it are reminders of projects he helped bring to fruition with his unrivalled ability to pull people together behind a shared goal. There is no doubt Ellesmere Port and Neston was a much better place for his involvement.”

In one of his final Commons speeches in 2015, Miller highlighted his work to improve rights for temporary and agency workers through introducing a private members bill in 2007. He also thanked his family and wife Fran who he said “stuck with me through thick and thin”.

He added: “It has been an extraordinary 23 years, and I have enjoyed every single minute of it.”

Labour colleagues have paid tribute to Miller on Twitter, including Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham who called him a “stalwart”.

He said: “’Windy’ Miller was a dear friend to us all. Always there for me when I needed him. A stalwart of the North West PLP. So sad to hear this news. Love to Fran and the family.” Chester MP Chris Matheson said Miller had been a friend and mentor to him personally. In a tweet, he said: “I am deeply, deeply saddened to hear of the news of the death of Andrew Miller, who has been over 25 years a friend and mentor, who did so much for Cheshire, and so much to promote science in Parliament. All my love to Fran and the family.” Ex-Delyn MP David Hanson said Miller was the “best of the labour movement”.

He posted a tribute on Twitter, which read: “This is incredibly sad news and my heart goes out to Fran and the family. Andrew was a good friend over 38 years before we were both elected in 1992 and in parliament - he was simply the best of the labour movement.”