Philip Gould: reaction and tributes in full

The New Labour strategist and adviser Philip Gould has passed away. This morning we’ll be bringing you just some of the tributes from those who knew him well, and adding more throughout the day:

Tony Blair:
“Philip was such a huge part of the renaissance of the Labour Party. To me he was my guide and mentor, a wise head, a brilliant mind, and a total rock when a storm was raging. He became indispensable. He was always a constant advocate for the British people, their hopes and anxieties. So his political contribution was immense. I feel very proud and privileged to have known him and to have been his friend. But then as his illness gripped him, he became something more. In facing death, he grew emotionally and spiritually into this remarkable witness to life’s meaning and purpose.”

Alastair Campbell:
“He was a team player, and his team was Labour. ‘Pollster’ doesn’t really say the half of it. He was an integral member of the inner team that worked to get Labour back into power, and stay there for more than the usual single Parliament breathing space for the Tories. His focus groups, far from being an exercise in PR, were a way of making sure that the kind of people he felt Labour forgot in the wilderness years had a direct voice to the top of politics. He was not a speechwriter but he was the most brilliant analyst of speech drafts. His notes on them always improved the final product. He was also great in a crisis, and always able to lift people and campaigns when they were low. He was that rare thing in politics – someone who was strategic, tactical and empathetic all in one. He was a rock.”

Ed Miliband:
“Philip Gould was an exceptional man and his death is an exceptional loss. He was Labour to his core, and today, as the Labour Party, we mourn for one of our own. He was rightly known as a pathbreaking political strategist. His friends will also remember an extraordinary human being. Warm, funny, engaging, deeply emotional and loving to all those he knew. Nowhere was he more extraordinary than in the final years of his life: battling his cancer like a political campaign that could be mastered and won. Then accepting death with courage and bravery. His contribution to Labour politics was enormous. His work and commitment helped change the lives of millions of his fellow citizens for the better….I know from our conversations over the last year he would have made a big contribution to Labour in the years ahead because he had an extraordinary ability to understand changing times and how politics could and should respond to that call. He taught those fortunate enough to know him much about how to live, and in the years of his illness, much about how to die. His memory will live on in his wonderful family and all those who had the privilege to call him their friend.”

David Miliband:
“I am really gutted that we have lost Philip Gould to cancer at such a young age. He was a great personal friend and support, across a generational divide, first for me, then for Louise and I, then for the two of us and the boys. I will miss his humanity and passion for finding and doing the right thing – and his ceaseless determination to elect Labour governments, because he never forgot that one day of Labour in government was worth a 1000 in Opposition. He is a huge loss – above all to his inspirational, amazing immediate family, but also to the rest of us who knew and loved him.”

Deborah Mattinson:
“So sad about Philip. It was an enormous privilege to work with him, especially in those exciting early days. He will be much missed.”

Daniel Finkelstein:
“I will miss Philip Gould terribly. As a man and a public figure he was an inspiration and I loved and admired him.”

John Woodcock:
“So sad about Philip Gould, he was a wonderful man.”

Jim Knight:
“Philip Gould made a great contribution. He even insisted on going through the lobbies in person 2 weeks ago to vote against health bill. RIP”

Michael Dugher:
“The last Labour govt did so much to help ordinary people – Philip Gould was one of the key people who made that all possible. RIP.”

Peter Watt:
“Philip, so sorry we didn’t get to see you last week. Thanks for the friendship over the years. #philipgould”

Ben Bradshaw:
“Labour must never forget the vital lessons Philip Gould taught us that helped us win 3 elections in a row especially how to win in the South”

Jacqui Smith:
“Those of us who believe Labour made a difference in Govt owe Philip Gould an immense amount in making it happen. Thoughts with his family.”

Ed Balls:
“We will miss Philip greatly – he could see the future – not many can”

Tessa Jowell:
“Philip prepared us for his death and was sustained in doing so by loving Gail, Georgia and Grace so much. He changed Labour, and all of us who are part of Labour, both in life and whilst he was dying. I feel utterly blessed to have seen him in those last weeks. One of the best memories of this year was being invited by Philip to a dinner to mark The Times’ serialisation of his cancer journey – The unfinished life. An odyssey of love and cancer. Among the guests were his surgeon and oncologist. The passion he felt towards making Labour electable he also directed at trying to help those suffering from cancer to live and die as they would choose. Thank you Philip and all those who love you, we’ll support and love Gail, Grace and Georgia.”

Peter Mandelson:
“Philip was as brave in his illness as he was in his politics, always doing things differently. For Labour he was instrumental in driving a revolution that transformed not just our party, but British politics as a whole. When he became ill with cancer, instead of retreating into himself, he took it on and, in the process, took everyone along with him. He was utterly devoted to his amazing family as well as being a wonderfully loyal friend who I will miss terribly.”