Campaigner for disabled Lord Morris dies at 84

As Alf Morris, he was MP for Manchester Wythenshawe from 1964 to 1997. He became a frontbench spokesman on disabled issues in 1970 then the first Minister for the disabled in Harold Wilson’s second government from 1974.

He is especially remembered for promoting the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970.

He was created a life peer in 1997 and was an active backbencher until his death at the weekend.

Baroness Royall, Labour leader in the Lords, said she was deeply saddened to learn of the death. “Alf died in hospital on Sunday afternoon after a short illness. He is survived by his wife, Irene, two sons and two daughters.

“With his Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970 – the very first Act to give rights to people with disabilities – he transformed the lives of millions and millions of people throughout the world.

“He championed the rights of disabled people, including injured service personnel, throughout his life and was deeply committed to public service.”

Tony Lloyd, Labour MP for Manchester Central, said: “Alf Morris was a great Mancunian. Brought up in a poor part of Manchester, he rose to the very top of the political ladder.

“I personally have lost a friend of over 30 years’ standing, disabled people all over Britain have lost a real champion and Manchester has lost a great son.”