Sir George Howarth has died at the age of 77, prompting tributes to the former Knowsley MP and Labour minister after almost 38 years representing Knowsley and its predecessor seats. He stood down at the 2024 general election, ending a Commons career that began with a by-election in 1986.
Sir Lindsay Hoyle called him a "great politician" and described his death as "another sad loss" to the House of Commons. Sir Keir Starmer said Howarth had given "a lifetime of public service" and wrote that George served "his party, his country, and the people of Knowsley with distinction."
Sir George Howarth in the House
Howarth entered Parliament in 1986, when he succeeded Robert Kilroy-Silk. He later served as a minister under Sir Tony Blair, working in the Home Office between 1997 and 1999 and then in the Northern Ireland Office until 2001.
He was also a long-serving member of the Panel of Chairs in the House of Commons. In 2019, he was knighted in the Birthday Honours for parliamentary and political service.
Graham Morgan on Knowsley
Graham Morgan said Howarth was an "outstanding advocate for Knowsley throughout his life" and said he gave more than five decades of service to people in the borough. Morgan also said he championed causes close to his constituents and supported major projects including Shakespeare North Playhouse.
Born in Prescot and educated at Huyton Secondary School, Howarth began his political career in local government in 1971 and later served on Knowsley Borough Council. He became deputy leader of the council before being elected as MP for Knowsley North, and boundary changes later created a new Knowsley constituency in 2010.
Knowsley after 2024
Seven years after the new seat was created, he retained it with 85% of the poll. His death closes nearly four decades of representation across Knowsley and its predecessor seats, while the source does not state what caused his death.
