POLITICIANS have been paying tribute to long-serving St Helens Councillor Linda Maloney who has passed away after a short illness.

Linda, 71, served the community of Blackbrook as a Labour councillor for 30 years.

She was awarded an MBE for her services to local government in 2018 and has served as deputy mayor, a cabinet member, committee chair and deputy and chief whip at the local authority.

'Devoted to other people'

Senior Labour politicians have today paid tribute to her.

David Baines, the St Helens North MP, said: “I am devastated by the death of Councillor Linda Maloney MBE. Linda was my friend, a mentor, and a constant source of encouragement and support.

"Through her entire life she was devoted to other people – her family, her colleagues, her community.

"She always put others first, without fail.

"This will be a huge shock and an immeasurable loss to so many people, myself included. Our community, our council, and the Labour Party will not be the same without her. I will miss her immensely.

"My love and thoughts go to her husband Mike and all her family, and all those who knew and loved her.”

Meanwhile, the deputy leader of St Helens Council, Seve Gomez-Aspron described a councillor who was the "epitome of a hardworking, independent, strong Labour woman".

He said: "She smashed glass ceilings and fought staunchly for the communities of Haydock and Blackbrook for 30 years.

"She took no messing about and was an excellent judge of character.

"Her MBE was well deserved and I know she revelled in telling Prince William all about Blackbrook when they met, and especially wore an outfit made locally to show off our borough.

"She was funny, passionate and dead set on social justice. And you could always rely on her to bring a pack of mints for everyone to a planning meeting!

"She was a friend and colleague and will be greatly missed. My love goes to Mike, Sandra and the family."

'A pioneering and proud working class woman'

Conor McGinn, the former St Helens North MP, added his tribute: “Linda was a pioneering and proud working class woman over three decades as a councillor in St Helens.

“Her award of an MBE for public and political service in 2018 is testament to her achievements and the high esteem she was held in across local government and the Labour movement.

“Linda was my election agent in 2015, 2017 and 2019 and was a loyal friend, supporter and campaigner in all weathers and at all times.

"Her home on Jubilee Crescent was our Labour campaign centre at every election, and no polling day in St Helens was complete without a mid-morning bacon barm in Linda’s kitchen and a sneaky half hour break in the afternoon to watch the horse racing with her beloved husband Mike in the sitting room.

“Linda was so happy to see a Labour government elected earlier this year and we have special and personal memories of our celebration night just a few weeks ago where Linda was full of fun and enjoying herself with her oldest friends and comrades.

“She was a dear friend to me, Kate and our family and we will miss Linda a lot. We send all our love to Mike and her family.”