Tributes pour in for Lord David Shutt of Greetland who has died aged 78

Lord Shutt, a major player in Liberal and Liberal Democrat politics for 50 years, served in the House of Lords, and was a former Mayor of Calderdale in 1982-83, with his wife Margaret as Mayoress, and represented the Greetland and Stainland ward on Calderdale Council from the 1970s to the 2000s.

Much of his work was done to serve his community, and the Mayor of Calderdale, Coun Dot Foster, said he would be greatly missed.

“This is very sad news and my thoughts are with Lord Shutt’s family.

“Lord Shutt was a well-known figure within the borough, having represented the Greetland and Stainland ward as a councillor for many years.

“As an elected member he was a keen advocate for our twin towns and did much to strengthen these ties, fostering life-long friendships between our towns and our European neighbours.

“I was fortunate to meet Lord Shutt on a number of occasions, and we shared a particular enjoyment of the music from Halifax Choral Society, of which Lord Shutt was chairman for many years. David’s death is a great loss to our community, and he will be very much missed.

The Leader of Calderdale Council, Coun Tim Swift (Lab, Town) said Lord Shutt had always maintained a strong and active connection with the borough, becoming very much one of its elder statesmen.

“Lord Shutt was a highly respected public servant who devoted his life to his community, initially as a ward councillor, eventually serving a term as the Mayor of Calderdale, and in later years within the House of Lords.

“He was the founding chair of the Community Foundation for Calderdale and continued to play a national role until very recently, chairing the House of Lords Select Committee on the Electoral Registration and Administration Act 2013.

“On behalf of the Council I would like to offer my condolences to his family, I know that he will be greatly missed.”

Among many tributes from Liberal Democrat colleagues locally and nationally which have been received – the party nationally tweeted footage of his last speech in the House of Lords – Liberal Democrat Group Leader on Calderdale Council, Coun James Baker (Warley) has spoken of the help and guidance given to him as a young campaigner and councillor, help which was always ongoing.

“Lord David Shutt embodied the best of our values, putting people first and working to develop community organisations.

“He carried the torch of Liberalism his whole life inspiring many people to become councillors and more active in working to improve their communities.

“We will honour him by continuing to live by those values,” he said.

Lord Shutt was instrumental in helping set up what became the Community Foundation for Calderdale, with which he continued to play a role, and the charitable foundation has said: “Such sad news that our Founder Lord David Shutt has passed away.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with his family. Thank you Lord Shutt, you should be immensely proud of your legacy.”