Westminster: Funeral of Jack Dromey MP

Jack Dromey official portrait

Source: Westminster Abbey

The funeral of Jack Dromey MP took place at St Margaret's Church, Westminster Abbey, yesterday, Monday 31 January. The Labour MP for Birmingham Edington died unexpectedly on 7 January.

He was elected MP in 2010 and before election to Parliament, he was previously Deputy General Secretary of the Transport and General Workers' Union and Treasurer of the Labour Party. He was married to Harriet Harman MP, the former Deputy Leader of the Labour Party.

The service was attended by two former prime ministers, the Rt Hon Sir Tony Blair and the Rt Hon Gordon Brown. The Leader of the Labour Party and Leader of Her Majesty's Opposition, Keir Starmer MP, also attended.

The service was conducted by the Rev Tricia Hillas, Chaplain to the Speaker of the House of Commons, Canon Steward and Archdeacon of Westminster, who said:

"Passionate, generous with a broad reach and deeply serious about working for the good of all, Jack Dromey truly loved being both a Trade Unionist and a Member of Parliament. In keeping with that Parliamentary prayer this was never for his own private interest nor according to any private prejudices, but because of what he could do for others. Jack worked with and for others that the lives of all humankind might be rich and full, their challenges challenged, and their hopes realised."

The Address was given by the Right Reverend Rose Hudson-Wilkin, Bishop of Dover, and former Speaker's Chaplain.

Prayers were led by Canon Pat Browne, Roman Catholic Duty Priest to Parliament.

Sir Tony Blair read Isaiah 58: 6-11 and Father Simon Ellis, parish priest at St Margaret Mary's Church, Perry Common, reads John 14: 1-6a.

Amy Harman, Jack Dromey's daughter, read an extract from A Woman's Work by Harriet Harman.

Tributes were made by Gordon Brown, and the MP's sons Joe and Harry Dromey.

The service was sung by the St Margaret's Consort, conducted by Greg Morris. The organ was played by Peter Holder.

LINK

Order of Service - www.westminster-abbey.org/media/14936/jack-dromey-funeral-order-of-service.pdf