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| 'A beacon of compassion in a harsh government.' Ruth Lister and others on former Tory minister Tony Newton | 'A beacon of compassion in a harsh government.' Ruth Lister and others on former Tory minister Tony Newton |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Ruth Lister writes: Thank you to Edward Pearce for quoting me in his obituary of Lord Newton of Braintree. Tony Newton was not just "technocratic" as a minister, but a beacon of compassion in a harsh government. When I joined the Lords he welcomed me with great generosity. He then supported me on a number of issues in the welfare reform bill and when he didn't feel able to, apologised. To see him standing up on the government benches on behalf of the marginalised when he was clearly very unwell was an inspiration. Many of us will miss this truly decent man. | |
| Robert Wilson writes: As leader of the House from 1992, Tony Newton played a crucial behind-the-scenes role in inaugurating the new administrative structure of the Commons set up after the review by Sir Robin Ibbs. The House had taken over control of the maintenance of its own estate and was finding its way to escape from direct financial control by Whitehall. Newton worked closely with Paul Channon, the first chairman of the finance and services committee – I was its first clerk – to create a new relationship with the Treasury that eventually enabled the construction of the much-needed Portcullis House. Newton was a charming and funny companion, universally popular and respected among MPs and officials alike, who were as uncomfortable as he himself was whenever he loyally deputised in the bearpit of prime minister's questions. | Robert Wilson writes: As leader of the House from 1992, Tony Newton played a crucial behind-the-scenes role in inaugurating the new administrative structure of the Commons set up after the review by Sir Robin Ibbs. The House had taken over control of the maintenance of its own estate and was finding its way to escape from direct financial control by Whitehall. Newton worked closely with Paul Channon, the first chairman of the finance and services committee – I was its first clerk – to create a new relationship with the Treasury that eventually enabled the construction of the much-needed Portcullis House. Newton was a charming and funny companion, universally popular and respected among MPs and officials alike, who were as uncomfortable as he himself was whenever he loyally deputised in the bearpit of prime minister's questions. |
| Joyce Arram writes: In 2002 Tony Newton joined the trustees of the National Benevolent Fund for the Aged (NBFA), in which role he was both enthusiastic and involved. At a recent meeting he presented the case for lower-income pensioners with passion, impressing both Steve Webb, the minister for pensions, and Paul Burstow, minister of state for care services, with his arguments. | Joyce Arram writes: In 2002 Tony Newton joined the trustees of the National Benevolent Fund for the Aged (NBFA), in which role he was both enthusiastic and involved. At a recent meeting he presented the case for lower-income pensioners with passion, impressing both Steve Webb, the minister for pensions, and Paul Burstow, minister of state for care services, with his arguments. |
| Richard Faulkner writes: I first came across Tony Newton in 1977 when I was working for Peter Parker (chairman of British Rail) and Tony was MP for Braintree, in rural Essex. The future of the railway was a major issue for his constituency. Braintree had survived a closure proposal in the Beeching report 15 years earlier, and the Labour government had published a transport white paper proposing huge rail-fare increases for commuters. | Richard Faulkner writes: I first came across Tony Newton in 1977 when I was working for Peter Parker (chairman of British Rail) and Tony was MP for Braintree, in rural Essex. The future of the railway was a major issue for his constituency. Braintree had survived a closure proposal in the Beeching report 15 years earlier, and the Labour government had published a transport white paper proposing huge rail-fare increases for commuters. |
| With Parker's encouragement we worked together to demonstrate that there were numerous constituencies in the south-east where the number of commuters exceeded the incumbent MP's majority. Tony put this information to excellent use, which helped to concentrate ministers' minds on how shortsighted and electorally damaging their proposals were. | With Parker's encouragement we worked together to demonstrate that there were numerous constituencies in the south-east where the number of commuters exceeded the incumbent MP's majority. Tony put this information to excellent use, which helped to concentrate ministers' minds on how shortsighted and electorally damaging their proposals were. |
| During Tony's time as the MP, rail commuting from Braintree went from strength to strength. Largely due to his efforts, the service was electrified in 1986, and now has an hourly through train service to and from London Liverpool Street and capacity for 12-car trains. | During Tony's time as the MP, rail commuting from Braintree went from strength to strength. Largely due to his efforts, the service was electrified in 1986, and now has an hourly through train service to and from London Liverpool Street and capacity for 12-car trains. |
| The Rev Paul Flowers writes: Tony Newton served as a member of the Advertising Standards Authority in the late 1970s, alongside the formidable Norah Phillips and George Thomson: I was the youngest member. As a Labour party activist, I had been brought up to be deeply suspicious of Tories. Within a very short time indeed I had to revise the tribal wisdom with which I had been imbued. Tony was gracious, open-minded and thoughtful, always ready to listen before opining on anything, and quite devoid of the sense of pomposity or self-aggrandisement to be found elsewhere in politics. | The Rev Paul Flowers writes: Tony Newton served as a member of the Advertising Standards Authority in the late 1970s, alongside the formidable Norah Phillips and George Thomson: I was the youngest member. As a Labour party activist, I had been brought up to be deeply suspicious of Tories. Within a very short time indeed I had to revise the tribal wisdom with which I had been imbued. Tony was gracious, open-minded and thoughtful, always ready to listen before opining on anything, and quite devoid of the sense of pomposity or self-aggrandisement to be found elsewhere in politics. |