Mo Mowlam

Very sad news this morning that Mo Mowlam has died.

In the present climate when politicians are generally viewed with deep cynicism and mistrust, she was one of a kind. Mo had the respect and trust not only of the populous but of her political colleagues on both sides of the House. This respect was earned through hard work, and her refreshing down to earth honesty.

Her legacy will of course be peace in Northern Ireland. While showing respect to both sides she disarmed them with her irreverence and her agenda to get things done. Two sides that had been in deadlock for years, automatically saying NO to anything the other said, were disarmed by this fresh approach and it worked. That she did all this while recovering from a brain tumour is further testament to her courage.