Tributes to 'local hero' MP who died aged 92

The former Labour MP for Ipswich, Ken Weetch, has died at the age of 92.

Weetch was the town's MP from 1974 to 1987 and passed away on Wednesday.

The town's current Labour MP, Jack Abbott, described Weetch as "Ipswich's greatest MP".

"It is not often that an MP is described as a local hero and held in such high regard, but Ken is, and that is a testament of his service, character and decency," he said.

Weetch was a teacher before entering politics.

He lived in Ipswich and brought his family up there, later leaving to be closer to them near London.

In his later years he moved to a care home near Newcastle.

Paying tribute to Weetch on Facebook, Abbott said: "He was utterly dedicated to the town and is, rightly, revered by many."

Peter Gardiner, a Labour councillor at Ipswich Borough Council, knew Weetch as a friend and colleague.

"We would campaign together, and that was at a time when trying to get people to know their MP was difficult, but that wasn't the case with Ken," he said.

"Everybody knew his face because he was always out talking to people and listening."

He recalled Weetch had a campervan with a loudspeaker on top.

"We'd drive around in that during campaigns and just stop along the way to meet people.

"He's what I would call a true community MP," he added.

John Cook, secretary of Ipswich Labour Party, said: "I took over as secretary/agent of [the party] in 2002, 15 years after Ken had ceased to be the MP.

"He deliberately kept a low profile in the local party after ceasing to be MP, and took some convincing to attend a Sunday lunch we held in October 2004 to mark the 30th anniversary of his first election as our MP.

"I remember him with great fondness and respect."

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