Jim Dobbin remembered by friends and colleagues

Photo: Journeaux

Jim Dobbin MP, Norden Carnival 2009

Former Heywood and Middleton MP Jim Dobbin was remembered by friends and former colleagues at a Roman Catholic Mass on Wednesday 14 January.

Held in St Margaret’s Church, Westminster, Parliamentarians from both houses gathered for the Memorial Mass to remember Mr Dobbin, who died on 7 September 2014.

The mass was also attended by his wife Pat, friends and family.

The Roman Catholic Duty Priest for Parliament, Canon Pat Browne was the principal celebrant of the mass where colleagues and friends paid tribute to the much loved MP.

Lord David Alton of Liverpool was one of those in attendance. Speaking about Mr Dobbin, he said: “All of us who were privileged to know him were keenly aware of the unswerving support given to him by Pat, who shared his causes and convictions with equal passion. Their love and commitment to one another gave Jim great strength.

“In a climate where there is so much cynicism and criticism of politics and politicians, this is an opportunity to acknowledge the vocation and work of a good man, a principled and dedicated parliamentarian, who never forgot his roots or the common good - and to thank Pat and her family for Jim’s public service and commitment to his country, his constituents, his conscience and his causes.”

Also in attendance was John Bercow, the Speaker of the House of Commons, who also attended Mr Dobbin’s funeral. He described Mr Dobbin as “a deeply principled and independent-minded parliamentarian”.

Mr Dobbin died in September 2014 whilst on a parliamentary trip to Poland.