Tommy McAvoy, a former Labour MP and a prominent figure in the party's whip's office, has passed away at the age of 80. Tributes have poured in from colleagues and political figures, highlighting his significant contributions to the Labour Party and his hometown of Rutherglen. McAvoy was remembered for his long and esteemed public service, his role in the engine room of the last Labour Government, and his warm, respected presence within the party. His loyalty and dedication to the Labour movement were emphasized, along with his acerbic wit and sense of humor. Colleagues shared personal anecdotes, reflecting on his tough but fair approach, his advice and support, and his impact on their careers. McAvoy's death has been felt deeply within the Labour community, with many expressing their condolences to his family and honoring his legacy.
David Mixner, LGBTQ+ activist and Bill Clinton campaign advisor, dies at 77 https://t.co/zN8i7KvTui
David Mixner, the activist and political strategist who lobbied and protested political figures in the movement for LGBTQ equality, died on Monday. He was 77 https://t.co/fgXPhxot36
I’m saddened by the loss of David Mixner, whose advocacy for LGBTQ+ equality was brave and influential. Like so many LGBTQ+ leaders of his generation, theirs are the shoulders of giants upon which others of us who follow stand. Rest in peace, David. https://t.co/IQTEZZNzFk
I am saddened by the loss of Malachy McCourt, a friend whom I admired deeply. https://t.co/tQ9gPsyQFM https://t.co/WMzSJdLapP
"When an aggrieved MP described him as a ‘nasty Glaswegian thug’, Tommy replied that he was from Rutherglen." 🕊️ @GeorgeFoulkes pays tribute to legendary Labour whip, Lord Tommy McAvoy https://t.co/6dlPigoKgs
Lord Tommy McAvoy. Determined and faithful servant of Parliament. Distinguished achievement as longest serving whip. Formidable but caring to members and his Rutherglen constituents. My friend for 37 years since we entered Parliament together in 1987. He will be much missed. https://t.co/YvC49vFE0f
Sorry to hear Tommy McAvoy has passed. Tommy was my whip during the Blair years, which was not an easy job to say the least. Eventually we served alongside each other in Shadow Cabinet & shared many a joke with his dry wit. A Labour man to his core. We’ll all miss him.
The great Malachy McCourt, author, actor, raconteur, and fierce advocate of justice and equality, has died at 92. In his honor, live the hell out of your life. As he would say: “Sing it, children!” https://t.co/BR6XpmPJA0
Tommy McAvoy: Keir Starmer leads tributes to former Rutherglen MP https://t.co/Ru5ltbHB4l
So sorry to hear of Tommy’s passing. It was an honour to serve with him in the Shadow Cabinet and enjoy his comradeship. When not talking politics, we would regularly chat over a cuppa about our shared football love, and always with a laugh and a smile. Rest in peace Tommy. https://t.co/WjmLgQ3Jte
Sad to hear the news of Tommy McAvoy’s passing. Tommy devoted his life to the labour movement. It was a privilege to know him. I will miss his wicked sense of humour. And his wise and witty accounts of his ways as a Whip! Deepest condolences to Tommy’s family and friends. https://t.co/AtrmDVSeim
Truly sorry to hear Tommy McAvoy has passed away. A legend of the @labourwhips office. Full of advice, the funniest sense of humour and a willing teacher of how to be a good whip. So grateful to have had the chance to listen and learn from him these last eight years. RIP Tommy https://t.co/7H023DmU2e
Very sad news. Tommy was legendary throughout parliament - first in the Commons and then the Lords - highly respected and revered. My thoughts are with his family and many friends. https://t.co/F37fwKarhT
I’m very sorry to hear of Lord Tommy McAvoy’s passing. He was a huge supporter of @coopparty both as an MP and Peer. We were lucky to have him. Many co-operators will have their own memories of Tommy. Personally, he was always very supportive and kind to me, which meant a lot.
I'm sad Lord Tommy McAvoy was my whip and I served as his deputy whip. He taught me so much. We are losing incredible politicians and Parliament will be poorer without them. 😢 My thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones 💝 may be rest in peace 🙏🏾
Very sorry to hear the passing of Tommy McAvoy. A good man for the @UKLabour @CoopParty movement. https://t.co/A5JwdIcbFq
Very sorry to hear that Tommy McAvoy has passed away. Tommy had a total commitment to Labour and served the Party loyally for many years. When he was a senior Whip, I well remember him telling Labour MPs “away with yee” meaning that the Whip was off and we could go home. https://t.co/o5APfYsbyt
I’m saddened by the passing of Tommy McAvoy. A Labour legend and an artful whip, a source of great advice, strength and when necessary compassion. A Labour man through and through. My condolences to his wife and family. https://t.co/8VNfQLfuuZ
A real education to serve with the great Tommy McAvoy in the whip’s office of the last Labour Government. Such sad news tonight. May he Rest in Peace. https://t.co/ctLeyAbOy3
Put simply, Tommy McAvoy ran the engine room throughout the last Labour Government. He was a great colleague in the Whips’ Office with an acerbic wit. RIP Tommy. https://t.co/owugj2wN9Y
RIP Tommy McAvoy. Legend of the @UKLabour Whips’ Office & a great representative of his beloved Rutherglen, Tommy was a lovely, warm man with a dry sense of humour that made him wonderful, entertaining company. Respected and loved across the Labour Party, he will be much-missed.
RIP Tommy McAvoy - I spent 2 enjoyable years working closely with him as a Labour Government Whip - he was tough but scrupulously fair and had a great sense of humour - someone once called him a ‘Stalinist Glaswegian thug’ - ‘that’s not right’ he said ‘I’m from Rutherglen'
I’m sorry to learn Lord Tommy McAvoy has died. His long and esteemed public service, for his hometown of Rutherglen, and his loyal contribution to the Labour government, are just two ways to remember a respected, warm and honourable man. Thoughts with Eleanor and their family.
I’m so sorry to hear of the passing of former Labour MP Tommy McAvoy. https://t.co/UK88Xi4a1V
Very sad news about Tommy (Lord) McAvoy, former Labour MP and legend of the whips office, who has died at the age of 80. https://t.co/tKDLU66KJK