Sir Keir Starmer, Sir Tony Blair, and Gordon Brown were among the mourners who gathered to honor the late former minister Phil Woolas at his funeral. Woolas, who passed away from glioblastoma at the age of 66 on March 14, was remembered fondly as his coffin, adorned with a Manchester United shirt, was brought into St Margaret’s church in Westminster. Colleagues, including former MPs, came together to bid farewell to the ex-Oldham and East Saddleworth MP.
The emotional ceremony saw Woolas’ sons, Josh and Jed, deliver heartfelt speeches about their father, with their mother Tracey looking on proudly. Tributes poured in for Woolas, with Blair describing him as steadfast, courageous, innovative, and motivating. He shared a fond memory of a moment of levity shared with Woolas after a challenging Prime Minister’s Question session.
Despite a televised confrontation with Joanna Lumley over Gurkhas veterans, Woolas and Lumley eventually became friends. Gordon Brown shared a letter he received from Lumley, who praised Woolas for his kindness and humor. Defence Secretary John Healey remembered Woolas as a proud Northerner, a dedicated Labour politician since his teenage years.
Lord Mann emphasized Woolas’ humility, listening skills, and exceptional memory, thanking him for his friendship. Close friend Steve Morgan, who had known Woolas for nearly five decades, highlighted the immense respect Woolas commanded, labeling him a true Labour legend who would be deeply missed by all who knew him.
