Labour grandees bid farewell to Dobson

Senior Labour Party figures past and present paid tribute to Frank Dobson at the former health secretary’s funeral.

Mr Dobson, who served as MP for Holborn and St Pancras for 36 years, passed away last month aged 79 following a longstanding illness.

The Yorkshireman was remembered as an “amazing man” by mourners at St Pancras Church in north London yesterday. Highprofile Labour figures attending the service, included party leader Jeremy Corbyn and former prime minister Tony Blair.

Joining them were ex-labour leaders Lord Kinnock and Ed Miliband, shadow chancellor John Mcdonnell, mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham and London mayor Sadiq Khan. Speaking ahead of the service, Mr Miliband described Mr Dobson as “an amazing man with deep Labour values” who had “great achievements” and a “fantastic sense of humour”. became vacant yesterday now that he’s an MP. With the SNP pushing for indyref2 next year, how long does he intend to be around? “Well, I’ve been kicked out of one parliament, trying my best...”

Another new arrival is former Holyrood justice secretary Kenny Macaskill, a frequent critic of the SNP leadership. “Westminster isn’t like Holyrood,” a Nationalist colleague says, anticipating trouble. “It’s much harder to be a big fish here. And seniority matters.”

With all the attention on the new arrivals, those leaving can make a quiet getaway. An ousted Scottish Tory MP was spotted clearing out their last belongings, including a Union flag. Brexit is last year’s fashion – this Parliament is going to be all about the battle for Scotland.