JOHN FRASER (1934 – 2017)
Former Norwood Labour MP John Fraser has died at the age of 82.
A statement from the office of Helen Hayes MP says:
We are sad to announce the passing of John Denis Fraser (30 June 1934 – 06 April 2017). John was the Labour Member of Parliament for the London seat of Norwood for more than thirty years from 1966 until 1997 when the constituency was merged with neighbouring Dulwich.
A solicitor by training, he worked as a senior partner at the law firm Lewis Silkin LLP, and was a councillor on Lambeth Borough Council from 1962 and the London Borough of Lambeth from 1964.
John was a much loved and respected local MP, taking pride in diligently representing and serving the local community in which he lived and brought up his family. John had extraordinary language skills and was able to greet constituents in almost all of the many languages spoken in the rich and diverse constituency he served.
John’s sharp mind and excellent people skills led to him being appointed Under Secretary at the Department of Trade and Industry in 1966, Under Secretary of State for Employment in 1974-1976, and Minister of State at the Department of Prices and Consumer Protection from 1976-1979.
After standing down as an MP, John continued to play a very active role within the local Dulwich and West Norwood constituency Labour party, knocking on doors and leafleting year round. He played a full part in the life of his local Labour party branch, the General Committee and Executive Committee; and within the local community, continuing to support local advice charity Centre 70 which he helped to found in 1970.
John was married to Ann and together they had three children, five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
John was a keen runner, regularly spotted pounding local streets and parks. He was also a keen gardener and enjoyed opera immensely.
John will be greatly missed by his family and friends, the local Labour Party, the Norwood community and the wider Labour movement.
John’s family have requested that their privacy is respected at this sad time.