John Burton, who served as Tony Blair's constituency election agent during his time as MP for Sedgefield, has died aged 85. The former prime minister said: «John Burton was my close friend, mentor, guide and teacher for over 40 years.» He added: «His passing leaves me quite bereft.»
Blair recalled their first meeting shortly before the 1983 election: «Ever since, shortly before the 1983 election, I stepped into his home during that year's European Cup Winners' Cup final which Aberdeen won under Alex Ferguson, and was told to sit quiet until the match ended, I knew I had met a fellow soul.»
Burton served as chairman of Sedgefield Labour Party and as a Sedgefield Borough councillor while guiding Blair's political career from 1983, when Blair was selected as MP for Sedgefield, until 2007. Blair said: «John had an extraordinary talent for politics. No-one read the game better or had clearer and almost infallible judgment.»
The former prime minister relied heavily on Burton's counsel during his time in Downing Street. «As prime minister I would seek his advice on anything touching public opinion or the fortunes of the government and know I would get an unvarnished and unswerving analysis worthy of the best political consultant in the country,» Blair said. He added: «He was smart. But he was also caring, enormous fun with a brilliant sense of humour and company I sought as much for the laughter as for the advice.»
Blair extended condolences to Burton's children, Caroline and Jonathan, and to the «Trimdon crew who were and are my friends and support.» Alan Strickland, Labour MP for Newton Aycliffe and Spennymoor, which includes much of Blair's former constituency, said: «John leaves a huge legacy. [...] As election agent to Tony Blair, chair of Sedgefield Labour Party and a Sedgefield Borough councillor, John made a major contribution to our area and the Labour movement.»
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
