The Labour party today paid tribute to former MP Lord Whaddon, who died from a stroke in hospital yesterday.

The 78-year-old represented King’s Lynn in Norfolk from 1964 to 1970, when he lost his seat by just a few votes.

Born Derek Page, he was made a peer by Jim Callaghan in 1978, taking the title Lord Whaddon after the village of the same name near his home in Royston, Hertfordshire.

Labour party chairman Ian McCartney today expressed his condolences to the former MP’s family, saying everyone in the party would be saddened to hear of his death.

“He was a highly respected MP and industrialist whose career in the House of Commons was unfortunately cut short in the 1970 general election when he lost his marginal seat by just 33 votes,” he said.

“The high regard in which he was held throughout the Labour movement was later marked by his elevation to the House of Lords where he continued to work for fairness and social justice.”

Labour leader in the Lords Baroness Amos said Lord Whaddon’s business experience, which included being director of Cambridge Chemical Company Limited from 1962 to 1995, gave him a “valuable perspective” on the benches of the upper house.

“Although he had been ill for some time, Derek Whaddon was still remembered well by peers across the House,” she said.

“He shall be missed by many colleagues and I send my condolences to his family.”