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From an account by his brother Brendan, and his cousin Cyril, it emerged that Tom Mahon was just 3 months from being ordained a priest, when he left the seminary. Much of his drive for doing what he could in the Pro-Life field stemmed from this spiritual dimension. Tom was a fluent Irish speaker and could converse to other countrymen in Gaelic for hours, as he often tried to do on the phone to me, even though I could only understand a fraction of what he said!
In his youth he must have been a fit man as he once played Gaelic Football for Galway. He also took a keen interest in politics both sides of the Irish Sea. He had close connections with Sir Patrick Duffy, Ph. D. and Kevin McNamara, Ph. D. K.C.S.G. Also he was a friend of the late Lord Longford ~ all three men being distinguished politicians in previous parliaments. This gave a certain thrust as to what he could ask them to do for the group.
Although Tom had been married and widowed for several years, the fact that he had no children was no barrier to the care he received near the end of his life. His niece Olive, a qualified and experienced nurse, had come over from Australia to care for him. Tom asked me to take my Irish harp down to Writtle, to his home, and to play some Irish music for him in his last week. It was a great privilege for me to carry out his wishes to hear the music of his homeland and some of his favourite melodies. He had even invited in an Irish woman who was a neighbour to share in the musical afternoon. Frail as he was, he was able to joke about things in the past and recall his family life on a farm. He told me that he had made up all his differences with people, and so was at peace.
The Labour Life Group will miss him terribly. He was a man of fire and zeal for the cause and tireless in giving out leaflets at Party Conferences. He served the group as Vice Chairman and Regional Officer for the South East, and was most assiduous in keeping in touch with all the officers of the group.
By Elaine Halton
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It was with great sadness that I heard of the death of DAVID TAYLOR M.P. for North West Leicestershire on 26th December 2009. David’s office in Portcullis House was just down the corridor from mine and he would pop in for a quick chat every now and then. He was an assiduous member of the House and a well-deserved Parliamentarian Backbencher of the year in 2007 in the Annual Sky TV/ House Magazine Awards. He constantly challenged the Government on many issues and had an independent approach to voting, which he did in a principled way on issues he felt strongly about. His speeches and interventions were highly regarded as he always spoke in a good-natured way with more than a dash of humour.
A committed Christian, he was ever ready to move amendments and speak passionately on behalf of the All Party Parliamentary Pro-Life Group which I chair. His Pro-life voting record on issues such as abortion, euthanasia and human embryo research was exemplary and courageous.
David also campaigned on behalf of cancer patients and was a driving force on anti-smoking laws.
He was a popular M.P. with his constituents and well liked by his colleagues in all parties in Parliament. His sudden and untimely death came as a shock and he is a great loss to the Labour and Co-op movement. David was a fine example of what a politician should be and parliament is a poorer place by his death. His wife Pam and his 4 daughters can be justly proud of all that he achieved to make life better for so many people. He is sorely missed by all those who knew him, for his hard work, good humour and selflessness.
Jim Dobbin MP
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