Dame Cheryl Gillan MP for Chesham and Amersham dies aged 68
She was elected to her constituency in 1992 and served for 29 years
Last updated 5th Apr 2021
Rt Hon Dame Cheryl Gillan, Conservative MP for Chesham and Amersham, has died at the age of 68 after a long illness.
Elected to the constituency in 1992 she represented the area for nearly 30 years.
The Cardiff-born MP also served as the Secretary of State for Wales from 2010 to 2012, and Shadow Secretary of State for Wales between 2005 and 2010.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson is among those paying tribute, saying she will be sorely missed:
"Always full of wise advice and good humour, she was much loved on all sides of the House of Commons and will be sorely missed. My sincere condolences to her family and friends.”
The Chesham and Amersham Conservative Association has posted a statement saying that Dame Cheryl has been ill for some time and continued to serve her constituency with 'her usual tenacity, diligence, and pride.'
The statement continues:
"Cheryl has been our MP for 29 years. Her record as a constituency MP was exemplary - representing all residents across the political spectrum, no matter was too small for her. She and her late husband Jack who died two years ago made an impressive team. Our association and this constituency were well served by them both.
"Our thoughts are with Dam Cheryl's Parliamentary and constituency staff who supported Cheryl with loyalty and dedication.
"We send our deepest sympathies to Cheryl's family in their time of grief, we hope they find comfort in the knowledge that Cheryl has been reunited with her beloved husband Jack, who was so greatly missed by Cheryl and missed by us all.
"Cheryl will be remembered with considerable fondness and will be greatly missed. Cheryl leaves huge shoes to fill."
Aylesbury's MP Rob Butler has said:
"Desperately sad news that Dame Cheryl Gillan has died. She fought ferociously for her constituents, especially on HS2, & was respected across Parliament.
"She was incredibly kind to me as a candidate & new MP, even sharing her office in my early weeks. She will be greatly missed."
Buckingham's MP Greg Smith has also paid tribute: