Labour MP David Taylor dies suddenly at 63

By Alex Smith / @alexsmith1982

David Taylor, the Labour MP for North West Leicestershire, has died of a heart attack at 63. He was walking with his family on Boxing Day when he was taken ill.

David had already announced he was standing down at the next election, having been elected to Parliament in 1997.

A statement announcing the sad news on David’s constituency website said:

“He was rushed to Queens Hospital, Burton on Trent but they were unable to save him. His widow Pam has paid tribute to the efforts of the ambulance and hospital staff.”

Paying tribute, Gordon Brown said:

“David has been a strong campaigner and when I visited his constituency a few weeks ago I found enormous respect and admiration for what he has achieved.”

In a sign of his broad popularity, David Taylor was voted Commons Backbencher of the Year in 2007 in a poll of all 646 MPs. He described receiving the award as “a real privilege”. His citation described him as “an indefatigable campaigner, constant attender and independent-minded”.

The father-of-four was a keen cyclist, runner and cricketer, and is not thought to have suffered serious heart problems in the past.