Lord Willis pays tribute after sad death of greatly respected Harrogate Lib Dem figure

Harrogate campaign: Community pharmacist says give chemists bigger role in vaccination rollout

Phil Willis, who was Lib Dem MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough for 13 years after first winning the seat in 1997, worked with Claire Kelley in Harrogate and Knaresborough for more than 20 years, firstly as fellow local councillors and, from 1997 to 2010, as close colleagues in his parliamentary office.

When Mr Willis retired from the House of Commons after three terms becoming a life peer, Claire put her name forward as the Liberal Democrat candidate in the 2010 General Election, losing by less than a 1,000 votes to her Tory rival Andrew Jones.

Lord Willis said: "Claire was my senior case worker handling all correspondence, researching issues, preparing responses, arranging and accompanying me on visits as well as managing much of what went on in our office.

"Few, even the most ardent political opponents would deny the service we offered to out constituents was first class - and though I took many plaudits it was Claire who provided the bulk of the material.

"She was simply superb - a highly intelligent English graduate her command of research, her use of the right language for each occasion was second to none.

"But Claire offered so much more - no constituent came into the office without feeling valued, listened to and sympathetically dealt with.

"Our staff and volunteers always knew she was there to help them too.

"In short she was my rock at the most challenging times and I will be for ever grateful.

"Sadly as she was fighting the General Election in 2010 she discovered she was suffering from cancer yet fought on, narrowly losing and failing to be an excellent MP.

"However, she continued to serve the people of the district as Chair of St Aidan's School Governing body and support her two lovely children Alex and Emily.

"My thoughts are with them and my thanks will be forever with Claire."

Speaking on behalf of Harrogate and District Liberal Democrats, local leader Coun Pat Marsh said Claire, who passed away on January 18 in Saint Michael's Hospice in Harrogate surrounded by those who loved her, was committed, passionate and hard-working.

A "fighter to the end," Claire was well-loved and would be greatly missed.

Coun Marsh said: "It was with great sadness that we learnt about the passing of our friend and former colleague Claire Kelley.

"It was my late husband, Reg Marsh, who introduced Claire to politics.

"She used to deliver leaflets for him and he saw the potential in her and eventually persuaded her to stand as a Liberal Democrat councillor, alongside himself and the late Shirley Taylor, they made an awesome team.

"Claire served on both Harrogate Borough Council as well as North Yorkshire County Council, holding major roles in both those councils.

"She worked hard in the campaign to get Phil Willis elected as the first (I would say best MP!!) Liberal Democrat MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough and went on to work alongside him in his office as his case worker helping many, many local residents with their problems and concerns.

"When Phil retired Claire put her name forward as the Liberal Democrat Candidate. Unfortunately, she lost by a small margin; that will always be Harrogate’s loss.

"Claire also was involved with St Aidan's School dedicating many years as Chair of Governors showing her commitment to the importance of state education not just at St Aidan's but across the whole district."

Coun Marsh continued: "Claire was a strong, well-loved, caring person whose passion for Harrogate and the world she lived in, was very strong.

"She was a hard-working colleague who was never afraid to speak out when she felt it was necessary.

"Despite her illness she spent many hours working for Judith Rogerson's election campaign in 2019, often being one of the last to leave the office.

"She was a fighter, even to the end and a campaigner who gave many years of service to the people of Harrogate District. She will be greatly missed.

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