Richard Tracey
Conservative MP and Sports Minister
A FORMER leader writer for the Daily Express, Richard Tracey became Conservative MP for Surbiton in south London, and Margaret Thatcher’s Sports Minister from 1985 to 1987.
At one time the ebullient right-winger was seen as a rising star but he never quite fulfilled the promise of a stellar political career.
Known for his gifted communication skills and sound common sense, Tracey represented Surbiton from 1983 until 1997 when the seat was replaced.
From 2008 until 2016 he represented Merton and Wandsworth on the London Assembly, where he became deputy leader of the Conservative Group.
A zealous campaigner, then Mayor of London Boris Johnson made him ambassador for the River Thames, privately – and
fondly – referring to him as Old Man River.
Tracey leapt in at the deep end, dramatically improving services on the river for passengers with new piers and a far more coherent approach to the transport network.
After attending King Edward VI School in Stratford-upon-Avon, Tracey went on to study law at Birmingham University.
He worked as a leader writer for this newspaper from 1964 to 1966 and then became a presenter and reporter for the BBC until 1978 when he became a public affairs consultant.
His wife Katharine was a senior councillor on Wandsworth Borough Council for 29 years.
Tracey died peacefully at home. He is survived by Katharine, their children Simon, Nicola, Emma and Polly and eight grandchildren.