Doug Naysmith Obituary: Remembering a Dedicated Public Servant
The passing of former Labour MP Doug Naysmith at the age of 82 has been announced, leaving a void in the world of politics and public service.
Dr. Naysmith, affectionately known as a “proud Scotsman,” represented Bristol North West as a Member of Parliament from 1997 to 2010. Prior to his parliamentary career, he also served as a city councillor, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to serving the people of Bristol.
In a heartfelt statement, the city’s Labour MPs Darren Jones, Kerry McCarthy, Karin Smyth, and Thangam Debbonaire paid tribute to Dr. Naysmith, acknowledging his significant contributions to both Bristol and the Labour Party. Mr. Jones particularly mentioned how supportive the former MP was after his own unsuccessful attempt to secure a seat in 2015, encouraging him to persevere.
Dr. Naysmith’s political journey began with his involvement in Bristol City Council, where he represented the Hillfields ward from 1981 to 1998. His first attempt at a parliamentary seat came in 1987 in the Cirencester and Tewkesbury constituency, where he finished third. He narrowly lost to the incumbent Conservative MP for Bristol North West, Michael Stern, in the 1992 election. However, in the 1997 general election, Dr. Naysmith triumphed over Mr. Stern and went on to win the seat twice more before deciding to step down ahead of the 2010 poll.
Following his time in Westminster, Dr. Naysmith returned to Bristol City Council, representing Avonmouth from 2010 to 2014. An interesting anecdote from this period involved a tied vote with Conservative Spud Murphy, with both candidates polling 1,878 votes. After three recounts, their names were placed into a ballot box, and Dr. Naysmith’s name was drawn, giving him an additional vote and securing his position.
In their heartfelt statement, the Labour MPs expressed their deep sadness at the loss of their colleague and acknowledged the decades of public service he dedicated to his constituents. They extended their condolences to Dr. Naysmith’s family and friends during this challenging time.
Mr. Jones shared a personal memory on Twitter, recalling Dr. Naysmith’s encouragement after his defeat in the 2015 general election. The two were overjoyed when they successfully reclaimed the Bristol North West seat in 2017. Mr. Jones humorously added that Dr. Naysmith once advised him that politicians with beards tend to receive fewer votes and suggested he shave his off.
Ms. McCarthy fondly remembered Dr. Naysmith as a kind and knowledgeable individual, describing him as a valuable source of expertise on science and health policy during their time in Parliament.
Doug Naysmith will be dearly missed, and his decades of public service will leave a lasting legacy. He dedicated his life to serving the people of Bristol, and his contributions will be remembered with gratitude and respect. Our thoughts are with his family and friends during this difficult time as they mourn the loss of a remarkable individual.