Birmingham Labor MP Jack Drome dies at 73, according to his family

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Labor MP Jack Drome died suddenly in his apartment in Errington, Birmingham, in a statement issued by the shadow minister’s family.

Mr. Drome, 73, married to Harriet Harman, died of natural causes.

A statement issued by Labor on behalf of Mr Drome’s family said: “Representative Jack Drome died suddenly this morning at the age of 73 in his apartment in Errington.

He has been an ad hoc Member of Parliament for the City of Birmingham-Erington since 2010.

“He was a very lovable husband, father and grandfather, and we will miss him very much.”

Jack Drome’s son tweeted, “Loved him so much.”

It is understood that Mr. Drome died of natural causes. credit: PA

Representatives from across the political spectrum paid tribute to the 73-year-old former unionist and offered their condolences to his wife.

Labor leader Sir Keir Starmer says Jack Drome was an MP who “lived his commitment to social justice every day.

Jack Drome, the proud son of Irish parents, devoted his life to defending workers through the labor movement, becoming Deputy Secretary-General of the UK’s largest trade union and later Labor MP.

From supporting the strike at the Grunwick Film Processing Lab, when he met Harriet, to his election to represent Birmingham Errington in 2010, Jack lived his commitment to social justice every day.

“Jack was recognized for his determination to stand up for his constituents and he was well respected and greatly respected throughout Parliament.

“My thoughts and those of the entire labor movement are with Harriet, their children, and everyone who knew and loved Jack.”

Drome was married to long-time MP Harriet Harman, a former Labor Party deputy leader and government minister. credit: PA

Boris Johnson said he was “deeply saddened” by his death. “His thoughts are with Harriet, family, and everyone who knew him as a friend,” he said. Education Minister Nadim al-Zahawi said he was “shocked and heartbroken”.

Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Speaker of the House of Commons, said: “We are all in disbelief that the life force of Jack Drome has died – yet another sad day for the House and a bad start to the year.

“I’ve known Jack since the mid-1980s when we fought to save the Royal Ordnance Factory in Chorley—he was a national official for the Transportation and Workers Union, and I was head of economic development at Corley Council.

“He was a great man, humble, always positive and always looking to support and save jobs. He had a very devoted husband and father in his heart – so all our thoughts go to Harriet and the rest of the family at this very sad time.”

Labor leader Keir Starmer says his thoughts are with Harriet, their children, and all who knew and loved Jack. credit: PA

Khalid Mahmood, Labor MP for Birmingham Perry Barr, paid tribute to his friend and colleague: “He was a great union representative and always supported workers all his life, first through T&G, where he became assistant secretary, then united”, when the unions merged.

“He always cared about the interests of the workers and when he became an MP in 2010 he continued to do so. We will miss him dearly. He was a kind man – a brave man.”

Paying tribute to Mr. Drome, Brett Gill, Labor MP for Birmingham Edgbaston and Shadow Minister for International Development, said: “I’m really shocked. I’m thinking about the retirement of Harriet (Harman) (in the next election) and Joe – Jack’s son, he’s a really good friend.”

“With grandchildren – that was something Jack talked about, spending more time with them. He’s always been a great friend and hugely supportive, but it’s not just me, that’s the thing he did.”

“He always went above and beyond, in his constituency.”

Jess Phillips, MP for Birmingham Yardley, says Drome was the “epicentre” of Birmingham politics:

Flags outside Parliament were lowered to half mast after the Speaker of Parliament said, “Another sad day for Parliament and a bad start to the year.” Credit: Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Twitter @CommonsSpeaker

Andy Street, Mayor of West Midlands praised:

He said, “Today we have lost a true Democrat. Jack was a principled politician who firmly believed that the democratic process could improve the lives of his residents. His natural respect for political leaders, officers and even his political opponents revealed his own guiding principles.”

“He was a man educated in the Union, and a man who excelled in the art of politics, but he always understood its ultimate aim. He was a wonderful collaborator always able to put aside partisan disagreements for the greater good. He was creative and thoughtful, some might even say a mischievous touch, but always in the name of obtaining a result which he believed was correct.In recent years it has been a privilege to work with him and to experience his firm belief in the value of the union to protect the interests of workers, and nowhere more so than in Arrington.His many battles, campaigns, and passions have carried this hallmark.

“Birmingham has lost a loyal servant. Parliament has lost a true believer. And we have all lost a generous and thorough friend who set a fine example.”

Jack Drome’s ‘Formidable’ Career

Born in London in 1948, Drome made his name in politics through the trade union movement, as a leading figure in the General Transport and Workers’ Union, which later became Unite.

He married Harriet Harman in 1982, had two sons and a daughter, and held senior positions in the Labor Party before winning the safe work seat at Birmingham-Erington in 2010.

Soon he was promoted to the front podium, serving under several commanders, most recently the Shadow Immigration Minister to Sir Keir Starmer.

He also expressed support for replacing then-Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn. He chose to support Owen Smith in the 2016 Leadership Show.

In the last election in 2019, he retained his seat but his majority fell to ten percentage points. A year ago he began serving in the Shadow Cabinet Office team, Shadow Paymaster General.

Jacques Drome rose through the ranks of the Labor Party under several roles before becoming an MP in 2010. Credit: PA

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