Sheffield MP Harry Harpham dies of cancer

A statement shared on the MP’s page said: “It is with incredible sadness we announce that Harry Harpham MP today lost his fight with cancer.

TRIBUTES:

Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn leads tributes to Sheffield MP Harry Harpham

Harry was elected as the MP for Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough in May last year after serving Sheffield in many roles over the years, including as Deputy Leader of Sheffield Council.

A former miner – maybe the final deep coal miner ever to enter parliament – Harry was fiercely proud of his union roots. He was an NUM man throughout the miners’ strike and stood firm for a full year at his Nottinghamshire pit even though many others crossed the picket line, something Harry would never have done. He put his background in energy to good use when he was promoted to the role of Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Shadow Energy and Climate Change Secretary.

Harry’s final contribution in parliament was just a fortnight ago. In typically blunt fashion he took the Prime Minister to task for ‘warm words, hand wringing and some crocodile tears’ when it came to local job losses at Forgemasters and the future of our city’s iconic steel industry. To the very last, he was passionate about Sheffield.

Harry leaves behind his wife Gill and children Annie, Kieron, Dan, Emily and Victoria who he loved unconditionally and was intensely proud of. He was also a doting granddad to his first grandchild Layla Grace.

A proud socialist who had campaigned against apartheid in his younger years, Harry will be greatly missed in Sheffield and in Westminster.

Details of funeral arrangements will be released in due course.”