Tribute to Patsy Calton MP

Written by Annette Brooke MP and published in Women Liberal Democrats newsletter July 2005 on Sat 30th Jul 2005

Annette Brooke MP, Catherine Calton and John Barrett MP with Patsy Calton MP when she attended Parliament to swear in

Patsy and I were first elected to Parliament in June 2001. We had met before then but on our arrival at Westminster we immediately struck up a really strong friendship. We were both 'homegrown' MP's, having campaigned for many years in the constituencies where we lived with our families. We were both teachers and both deputy leaders of our respective local councils. Patsy's majority was 33 and mine was 384 and we always said that of all the new MPs we were the most determined to win a second term! We shared an office for the whole of Patsy's time in Parliament and shared all our ups and downs and frustrations in this male dominated environment.

Despite the fact that Patsy had suffered from breast cancer prior to being elected she seemingly had unlimited energy. She travelled back to Cheadle for every possible constituency event, threw herself wholeheartedly into parliamentary life, speaking up for her constituents and following her special interests, worked unstintingly in the constituency, offering street surgeries nearly every weekend as well as more formal surgeries in libraries, she certainly campaigned all year round and she also led a very physically active life, regularly running and swimming. In more ways than one, I was always running to catch up with Patsy!

Patsy's parliamentary success came at the third attempt and it is truly quite amazing how she turned an absolutely safe Tory seat into a safe Lib Dem seat. We both obtained 49% of the vote in May 2005.

Patsy, Vince Cable MP and Annette at the Beating Bowel Cancer Launch in 2004 - Patsy fought tirelessly for all health issues

Her courage in facing up to her illness when it recurred in 2004 was phenomenal. She continued performing her parliamentary duties as a health spokesperson, even joining the Health Select Committee in Australia in the autumn. Up to and during the General Election this year we spoke many times on the phone and her fighting spirit was always apparent. When she came by ambulance to take the oath in Parliament, her joy at the time of arrival was overwhelming. It was an incredibly moving moment in the House when the Speaker came forward and kissed her and a great privilege for all of us who with her for that last occasion.