Birmingham by-election date announced following death of former MP
Jack Dromey had represented Erdington since 2010
Last updated 1st Feb 2022
Voters in Birmingham, Erdington, will choose a new MP in March following the sudden death of Jack Dromey. The 73 year old, who'd represented the area since 2010, died at his constituency flat on January 7th.
The Labour party has officially triggered the by-election which will be held on March 3rd, as it has to take place between 21 and 27 working days from the issuing of the writ.
MPs from across the political spectrum have paid tribute to the father-of-three and former leading trade unionist.
He "remade history many times over"
Hundreds gathered yesterday (31st January) for Mr Dromey's funeral in Westminster.
Sir Tony Blair and Sir Keir Starmer were among those from both sides of the political spectrum who attended his funeral service at St Margaret's Church in Parliament Square.
Mr Brown, who served as prime minister from 2007 to 2010, paid tribute to Mr Dromey's "irrepressible, almost boundless energy".
He told mourners to remember his "infectious enthusiasm", "fighting spirit" and "relentless optimism".
"He saw wrongs and wanted to right them, injustices and wanted to resolve them, and where there was unfairness, there Jack always was, fighting it.
"He was the 'Jack of all campaigns'.
Sir Tony gave a Bible reading, while Mr Dromey's daughter Amy Harman read an extract from her mother's book A Woman's Work.
Some had tears in their eyes as they entered the church just before noon, with cabinet ministers, broadcasters and Labour MPs in attendance.
Born in London in 1948, he had three children with Ms Harman, the former deputy Labour leader, who announced last month she will stand down as an MP after the next general election.
They married in 1982.
Mr Dromey joined the Labour frontbench as shadow housing minister in 2010 under then-leader Ed Miliband, who was also at the service.
Jess Phillips, Labour MP for Birmingham Yardley, said: "It was brilliant and funny and beautiful and a testimony to Jack.
"I just felt very much that Harriet and Jack will be very proud of their children who stood up very bravely and gave brilliant testimonies."