Henry Plumb, the only President of Great Britain of The European parliament has died at the age of 97.
former Tory politician was president of National Farmers Union from 1970 to 1979 and was elected MEP for Cotswolds in 1979. He remained a member of European parliament until 1999 and was its president from 1987 to 1989.
NFU President Minette Butters paid tribute after it death on Friday. “British agriculture has lost one of its greatest defenders and the NFU has lost its greatest president,” Butters said.
“Did not have one more passionate about British agriculture than Lord Plumb and he remained great champion for industry throughout their lives. He worked with constant energy and determination ensure Importance of agriculture was recognized by politicians and continued to emphasize the importance of sector throughout its time in house of Lords.”
Plumb line was knighted in 1973, became Chancellor of Coventry University from 1995 to 2007, resigned from the House of Representatives. of Lords in 2017.
His family were from Cheshire and farmed for some generations, with plumb line over run of his father, a predominantly dairy farm in Coleshill, Warwickshire, after his death in 1952.
Butters said: “He was a really wonderful person. He was driven, fearless, and the most charming man you could ever meet. His loss will be deeply felt and we sympathize. with his family at this sad time.”
science minister George Freeman, tweeted what Plumb was”great man”, adding that it was “a pleasure and a privilege to work with and got to know his in 90s.
