As the newly appointed chairman of the Witham Constituency Conservative Association, my first task is the very sad one of reporting the death of our President, Tony Newton.
Lord Newton died on Sunday 25th March aged 74. He represented Braintree as its Member of Parliament from 1974 until 1997. He held a number of ministerial posts including Secretary of State for Social Security from 1989 until 1992 before becoming Lord President of the Council and also Leader of the House of Commons until 1997 in which year he was created Baron Newton of Braintree. He remained an active member of the House of Lords as well as performing many other public duties despite his failing health in recent years.
We as an association will remember him with affection and we pass our sincere condolences to his widow, Patricia, and to other members of his family.
Cllr. Tom Foster
Chairman W.C.C.A.