Andrew Gwynne has led tributes to his predecessor and ‘mentor’, the former MP for Denton and Reddish, Andrew Bennett, who died today after a short illness aged 85.
The former geography teacher was first elected to Parliament as the MP for Stockport North in 1974, before transferring to Denton and Reddish with boundary changes in 1983.
A pupil at William Hulme’s Grammar School in Whalley Range, he sat in the House of Commons for over 30 years before retiring at the 2005 general election.
“Andrew Bennett was a good man, a principled Socialist and a fantastic constituency MP. He was also a friend,” said his successor, Mr Gwynne.
“It was an utter privilege to work in Andrew’s constituency office from 2001 to 2005, too.
“Rest in peace, my friend.”
Mr Bennett was married to acclaimed folklorist Gillian Bennett for 62 years before her death almost exactly a year ago. They had three children together, including Professor Kate Bennett, who said he was “a lovely, principled MP who stood up for what he believed was right”.
This stance included voting against the Iraq War, just one of his 89 rebellions against Tony Blair’s government between 1997 and his retirement eight years later.
“Over the years I have tried to help thousands of people,” Mr Bennett said when he stepped down from Parliament. “I have always done my best, and I know from letters most of them appreciate this."
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