Margaret McDonagh has passed away at the age of 61. party's 'highest show of strength', dies aged 61. Described as 'absolutely important' to Labor's landslide election victory in 1997, the peer was diagnosed with a brain tumor after suffering. from a series of seizures in November 2021.
Her death comes after her older sister Shivain, Labor MP Mitcham and Morden, accused the NHS of “ditching” her during an emotional speech in Parliament earlier this year. .
The death of Baroness McDonagh was announced on Saturday.
Sir Keir Starmer said: “This is absolutely devastating news.
“Margaret McDonagh gave her life to the Labor Party . Margaret may not have been as famous as some of the politicians she worked with, but without her they would not have come to power.
Labor Party colleague credited with helping Tony Blair rise to power in 1997
in the 1997 Labor Party landslide, and as the first female general secretary to lead the organization through a historic re-election campaign in 2001.
“Both inside and outside the Labor Party, Margaret was a tireless advocate for women, raising a generation of political and business leaders. Until the very end, Margaret advocated for better medical care for patients with brain tumors.
“Margaret was absolute proof that one person can change the world for the better. What makes Margaret different is that she has also created an army of change advocates who will proudly lead this fight on her behalf.
“You cannot think of Margaret without her sister Shivain (Labor MP Mitcham and Morden), campaigners not only in Mitcham and Morden but around the world.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Shivain and all of Margaret's family and friends at this tragic time. I know I am speaking for many when I say that I will miss her friendship and wise advice in the coming years.”
Peter Mandelson, who was Labor's campaign director for the 1997 general election, said: “Margaret was a show of strength. “In 1997, she ran Millbank with an iron fist. Everyone was horrified, including me.
“I have never met anyone so determined, uncompromisingly honest and so direct.”
“She almost never made it to high command in the early 1990s. but once she arrived, there was no going back. She was formidable.”
In March, Shivayne McDonagh, holding back tears, told the House of Commons that her sister had suffered from glioblastoma, a disease she was diagnosed with after seizures.
Criticizing the NHS for brain cancer treatment, she told MPs that the 61-year-old was undergoing treatment, which included a monthly four-day trip to Düsseldorf, Germany.
She told the House of Commons. : “he believes that the NHS is currently refusing international travel and the lucky ones who can get the funds to do so are nothing short of a complete and utter national scandal.”
“Interestingly, my a mother who came here in 1947 to become the first generation of nurses from Ireland would say her daughter was abandoned by the NHS.”
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