Regional leaders and politicians
Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham posted via his office’s official Twitter account:
“On behalf of everyone in Greater Manchester, I wish to convey our deepest sympathies to the Royal Family following the passing of Her Majesty The Queen.
Queen Elizabeth II has been an ever-present in our lives. Our sense of loss is profound because she gave us all so much. As the longest reigning monarch in the history of the United Kingdom, she gave our communities and our country the greatest possible service and guidance. For that, and for her exceptional life, we give thanks.”
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Equally, Liverpool City Region Metro Mayor Steve Rotherham tweeted out his condolences together with his personal remembrance of the dead monarch. On the occasion of a Royal visit to Liverpool he recalls:
“That day, I saw a side of her that very few people get the chance to see. It’s safe to say that she was a fan of the Scouse sense of humour as, at times, she was in fits of laughter …“
Liverpool City Council posted an official video mourning the Queen’s death.
Lord Mayor of Liverpool Cllr Roy Gladden paid tribute to Her Majesty for her “unwavering dedication” over 70 years. He recalled her 2016 visit to the city of Liverpool where he was struck by her “genuine warmth and sincerity”. He added that her death “will be mourned by the world.”
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Cumberland Council, which is due to take over from the existing county, city and borough councils in Carlisle, Allerdale and Copeland on April 1st 2023, united in tribute to the late Queen. Leaders of all political groups on the council expressed their sorrow at the news of Her Majesty’s death with Council leader Mark Fryer saying:
“This is a sad time for the nation. The reign of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth has been a truly remarkable one in both its length and the changes it has seen. She has led with dedication and devotion to our nation and the Commonwealth and made frequent visits to Carlisle, Workington, Whitehaven and other parts of the Cumberland area. My thoughts are with members of the Royal Household.”
Councillor Mike Johnson, who will lead the Conservative group on the new council and presently leads Allerdale Borough Council, noted that:
“Her late-Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has been a truly magnificent figure and exceptional monarch for this country who has devoted her whole life to public service, not only to the people of the United Kingdom, but also the Commonwealth. She commanded respect, loyalty and admiration from everyone who worked with her. And on her visits to Allerdale, she always took a keen interest in the people she met.”
Leaders of the Liberal Democrat and Green groups within the new council also gave their warm tributes.
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Lancaster County Council issued an official statement mourning the death of Her Majesty. They wrote:
“It is with deepest sadness and respect that Lancashire’s leaders remember Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, our Queen and The Duke of Lancaster today”
Martin Ainscough DL, High Sheriff of Lancashire, said:
“This is a time of great national sorrow and reflection. It is the close of the second Elizabethan era. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth was one of the most respected of dignitaries in the world. She will be recognised in history as a great leader and Monarch of the British Isles and the Commonwealth. We were fortunate that in Lancashire we could also call her our Duke. Her Majesty has had a very special place in the hearts and lives of so many people here.”
County Councillor Peter Britcliffe, Chairman of Lancashire County Council, added:
“On behalf of the county council and the residents of Lancashire, I would like to express my deepest sadness following the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. As the Duke of Lancaster, Her Majesty had very close links with our county… Her Majesty was well known to have had a great affection for Lancashire and she visited our county on many occasions.”
County Councillor Phillippa Williamson, leader of Lancashire County Council, remarked:
“We share the country’s deep sadness at the passing of Queen Elizabeth II… For more than 60 years she was a constant in most of our lives, providing a shining example of a life lived in dignified duty and public service. She will be much missed, but as we look back on her reign with deep respect and affection we look forward with hope and optimism to the reign of the new King.”
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The Lord Mayor of Chester, Cllr John Leather, tweeted that he has expressed his condolences to the palace on behalf of the City of Chester.
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Deputy Leader of the Labour Party Angela Rayner MP, who represents the constituency of Ashton-under-Lyne in Greater Manchester shared the words of her parliamentary tribute to Her Majesty. She also recalled how the Queen had visited Greater Manchester in 2021 and that this was just the latest visit of many throughout the Queen’s long reign. Rayner observed that Her Majesty
“will be greatly missed by people across Ashton, Droylsden and Failsworth. She promised to serve the nation and she kept that word throughout her life.”
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Labour front bench MP Lisa Nandy, who represents Wigan, observed how:
“For 70 years Queen Elizabeth Il was a steady, reassuring presence in public life, an anchor for the nation in troubled times… She was admired by politicians across the political spectrum, standing above politics but with a deep respect for our democratic system. She was a role model for all of us in public life.”
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Senior Conservative MP William Wragg, MP for Hazel Grove near Stockport, tweeted that his “thoughts and prayers are with the Queen”. His Conservative colleague Sir Graham Brady, MP for Altrincham and Sale West and Chair of the influential 1922 Committee of Conservative back bench MPs, wrote on his website that:
“Queen Elizabeth II was the rock on which modern Britain was built. Our country has grown and flourished under her reign. It is a day of great loss, but Queen Elizabeth II leaves a great legacy.”
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Tim Farron, Liberal Democrat MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale paid tribute to the late monarch in the Commons:
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Other voices from the North West:
In the lake district, Windermere Cruises and Cumbria Tourism expressed their sadness and remembered their joy when the queen visited Lake Windermere in 2013.
Leading sports clubs react
Queen Elizabeth II was patron of Lancashire County Cricket Club. The club duly noted its sadness at the news of her passing, writing on Twitter that:
“On behalf of the Club, our players and management, Members and staff, past and present, we convey our deepest sympathy and condolences to the Royal Family.”
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Manchester United Football Club was unusual in that its Europa League match against Real Sociedad went ahead as scheduled on Thursday 8th September, following the official announcement of the Queen’s death. The club posted a video of Old Trafford football stadium observing an impeccable silence and stated that it:
“shares the sorrow of the entire nation following the announcement from Buckingham Palace on the passing of Her Royal Highness The Queen Elizabeth II.”
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Rivals Manchester City joined the tributes by offering condolences to the Royal Family and observed that:
“Her Majesty’s dedication and service has been exemplary and we join our country and the Commonwealth in mourning her loss.”
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Fellow Northwest Premiership club Liverpool FC also stated their sadness at the news of the Queen’s death and offered their condolences to the Royal Family.
Celebrities offer their tributes
Famed musician Sir Paul McCartney captured the mood well with a simple tribute: “God bless Queen Elizabeth II. May she rest in peace. Long live The King”. Blackpool-born Radio 2 presenter Zoe Ball was equally effective with few words – “A remarkable lady. A life in service. Rest in peace Your Majesty.” Emmerdale and Downtown Abbey actress Amy Nuttall posted heartfelt words “Rest in peace our beautiful Queen… Thank you for everything. What a sad sad day.” Musician, photographer and son of Beatle John Lennon Julian Lennon felt the words “Rest in peace, dear Queen Elizabeth II” were all that needed to be said.
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Daniel Craig said in a statement to PA news agency:
“I, like so many, was deeply saddened by the news today and my thoughts are with the royal family, those she loved and all those who loved her,” he said. “She leaves an incomparable legacy and will be profoundly missed.“
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The wide range of heartfelt tributes from individuals and bodies across the North West demonstrates the long-lasting impact that the reign of Queen Elizabeth II had on our region, and how she will be much missed. We at North West Bylines would like to add our condolences to the Royal Family whilst we eagerly anticipate the growing affection that we hope will develop for King Charles III across the region we represent.
