Tributes paid after death of former Dudley councillor and Labour parliamentary candidate
A former councillor who died following a short illness has been described as a dedicated servant who went “beyond the call of duty”.
Rachel Harris served as a Labour councillor in Dudley for 25 years.
She was a councillor for Brierley Hill and previously represented the wards of Belle Vale and Hasbury, and Kingswinford South.
The respected campaigner also spent time as chair of the Dudley Primary Care Trust, a peer member for the Local Government Authority and was also a founding member of the Centre for Public Scrutiny.
She was awarded Alderman status in recognition of her service to the borough.
Councillor Qadar Zada, leader of the Labour group in Dudley, said: “I worked very closely with Alderman Harris when she was a councillor, as we had a mutual concern for health inequalities, and I often found myself tapping into her wealth of knowledge and spent several hours debating health policy.
“There is much to say about Rachel’s many achievements over the years she served as a councillor, but I was particularly proud to have campaigned for her as Parliamentary Candidate in Dudley South in 2010.
“She was a community campaigner and public servant and retained her interest in issues affecting Dudley people after her retirement from the council and throughout her illness.
"Everyone in the group will miss her and we are sad to have lost a friend. Our condolences go to husband Phil and her family.”
The Mayor of Dudley Councillor David Stanley said: “Rachel served her community, the local authority and the Dudley Primary Care Trust with commitment and integrity over many years.
“She will be sadly missed by all who knew her, especially by the people of Brierley Hill who she represented so passionately for so many years."
Dudley Council leader Patrick Harley, said: “Our thoughts are with Rachel’s family and friends at this very sad time."
Labour's parliamentary candidate for Wolverhampton South East, Pat McFadden, said: "Rachel lived in Coseley which is part of Wolverhampton South East and I knew her well.
"She was a great public servant and really committed to the people of Dudley. She coped with her illness with real bravery and fortitude in the past few months.
"She will be sorely missed by those who knew her and worked with her."
