The Funeral of Jack Dromey MP

It was a very sad day to have to attend the funeral of Jack Dromey MP on Monday 31 January 2022 a close friend and colleague and West Midlands MP. I have known Jack for a long time. The Service was conducted by the Speaker’s Chaplain the Venerable Tricia Hillas Canon Steward and Archdeacon of Westminster who said this:

“Passionate, generous with a broad reach and deeply serious about working for the good of all, Jack Dromey truly loved being both a Trade Unionist and a Member of Parliament. In keeping with that Parliamentary this was never for his own private interest nor according to any private prejudices, but because of what he could do for others. Jack worked with and for others that the lives of all humankind might be rich and full, their challenges challenged, and their hopes realised”.

The Right Honourable Sir Tony Blair KG read Isaiah 58:6-11, which was followed by tributes from his sons Harry and Joe Dromey. His daughter Amy Harman read an extract from her mother’s book, A Woman’s Work. The Right Honourable Gordon Brown also spoke about the Jack of all Campaigns and his work in the trade union movement.  I remember him from the time of the Grunwick dispute where he supported mainly Asian women who walked out at the way they were treated by the management.  Jack also had an ability to bring people together.

Father Simon Ellis, parish priest at St Margaret Mary’s Church, Perry Common read: “Jesus said ‘Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling-places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way to the place where I am going.’ Thomas said to him, ‘Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life.’ Thanks be to God”.

The Right Reverend Rose Hudson-Wilkin MBE QHC, Bishop of Dover gave a eulogy on the interpretation of Isaiah. Bishop Rose was a former Speaker’s Chaplain.

Canon Pat Browne the Roman Catholic Duty Priest in Parliament led the prayers: He said  “Your mighty power brings joy out of grief and life out of death. Look in mercy on Jack’s family and on all who mourn. We remember especially his friends colleagues office staff constituents and all who will miss him as their mentor and champion. Give them patient faith in times of darkness. Strengthen them with the knowledge of your love. ”

The Choir sang In paradisum deducant Angeli: from Gabriel Faure Requiem in D Minor opus 48: “May the angels lead you into Paradise; at your coming may the martyrs receive you and lead you into the holy city Jerusalem. May the Choir of Angels receive you and with Lazarus who once was poor may you have eternal rest”.

Rest in Peace Jack Dromey- it is hard to see you go so soon and so unexpectedly.