Former Redditch MP Karen Lumley is dead. Her demise reportedly occurred on Thursday, May 25, 2023, at the age of 59, after a protracted illness. Her loved ones were all around her.
From 2010 until her resignation in 2017, Mrs Lumley served as the Redditch-based Conservative MP. She was the second female MP for the constituency since the position was established in 1997, and she is described as a “charismatic and strong woman.”
Penny Mordaunt, the leader of the Commons, broke down in tears when she informed the lawmakers that they had lost a “larger-than-life character”.
A visibly grief-stricken Ms Mordaunt told MPs: “She was a force for nature and a force for good. We will miss her, her amazing hairdos and the joy she brought us all. We will cherish the memories we have of her.
“The whole House I know will want to send our love to her family, especially [her husband] Richard, [and children] Lizzie and Chris and all who knew and loved her.
“She meant a lot to all of us.” According to Ms Mordaunt, her colleague served on the Finance Committee, the Welsh Affairs Select Committee, the Transport Select Committee, and the Department of Health as a parliamentary private secretary.
Paying tribute to her predecessor, Redditch MP Rachel Maclean issued a statement: “In her time as the Member of Parliament for Redditch, Karen demonstrated tonnes of compassion and a genuine desire to improve people’s lives.
“She will be much missed by many people. My thoughts and prayers are with Karen’s family and friends at this very difficult time.”
MP for Bromsgrove and former Chancellor Sajid Javid said Mrs Lumley was “a fantastic colleague and friend as a neighbouring MP – and truly loved representing her constituents”.
Prior to winning the seat in the 2010 general election, Mrs Lumley ran unsuccessfully for the Redditch seat against Jacqui Smith, a former Labour Home Secretary.
Karen Lumley was a British Conservative Party politician. She was elected the Member of Parliament (MP) for Redditch in Worcestershire in the general election of May 2010.
Lumley was born in Barnsley on March 28, 1964. She was raised in the town of Rugby, in the county of Warwickshire.
She had her early schooling at Rugby High School for Girls before moving on to East Warwickshire College. From 1986 to 1987, Lumley served as the Welsh Young Conservatives’ vice chair, and from 1991 to 1996, he led the Wrexham Maelor district’s group.
She also served on the Redditch Borough Council from 2001 to 2003 and the Clwyd County Council from 1993 to 1996.
In 1997 and 1999, Lumley ran unsuccessfully for the Delyn constituency and the National Assembly. Prior to winning the seat in the general election of 2010, she unsuccessfully ran for the Redditch constituency in both the general elections of 2001 and 2005.
