Death of former Bournemouth MP

Former Member of Parliament for Bournemouth East, David Atkinson, died of cancer yesterday afternoon.

David, who always referred to himself as a former car salesman, entered Parliament at a by-election and represented Bournemouth East from November 1977 until April 2005.  Before his Parliamentary career David was a Director of Chalkwell Motor Co Ltd, his family business, and was the National Chairman of the Young Conservatives.

Tobias Ellwood MP for Bournemouth East said, “David had an enormous zest for life; always full of energy and ideas. Despite retiring from politics in 2005 he remained active within the local Conservative Party and was extremely generous in his support, and quickly turning into a close friend and mentor. He was always on hand to answer any questions and offer advice. He never failed to point me in the right direction and I will much miss his wisdom and experience."

In Parliament he will be remembered for his service to the Council of Europe where he played a pivotal role during the nineties in encouraging the former Soviet bloc countries to integrate with the West. He will also be remembered for being the first to publically air concerns about the millennium bug.

He will be missed, not just by those involved in politics but by the whole community.

Councillor Bob Lawton, Chairman of Bournemouth East Conservative Association said, “David remained a keen member of the Association after standing down from Parliament.  He was the guest speaker at the Association Christmas Lunch in December last year and will sorely missed by the many friends he made within the party.  We are proud to have had David as our MP where he served all the people of the Constituency with integrity and enthusiasm.  Our sympathies are extended to his family.  Only last week at a Conservative Group meeting it was agreed to propose to the full council that David be awarded the freedom of the Borough”.