Peter Walker served as Worcester

Ex-Tory minister Walker dies

Ex-Tory minister Walker dies

By Alex Stevenson

Former Conservative minister and Tory Reform Group founder Peter Walker has died aged 78.

Lord Walker of Worcester passed away in St Richard’s hospice in Worcester, the town which he served as an MP from 1961 to 1992.

His son, Robin Walker, was elected as the next Worcester MP in last month’s general election. He ousted Labour’s Michael Foster from the seat after the infamous ‘Worcester woman’ turned against New Labour.

Mr Walker was in Worcester on ‘family matters’, a spokesperson said yesterday. It has been reported he was at the bedside of his father when he died.

“Lord Walker was a fine and loyal representative of the people of Worcestershire and he had a successful and rewarding career,” neighbouring West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin said.

“I know that he was immensely proud that his son Robin won the Worcester parliamentary seat this May and the family tradition of upstanding public service will be carried on by the next generation of Walkers.”

Lord Walker was energy secretary in Margaret Thatcher’s government from 1983 to 1987, before serving as Welsh secretary between 1987 and 1990.