Lord Bob Kerslake, former head of the civil service and a respected figure in British politics, has passed away after a short battle with cancer, his family announced. The 68-year-old crossbench peer, known for his dedication and integrity, was remembered as a true public servant by prominent figures across the political spectrum.
Lord Kerslake, who was nominated for a peerage by former Prime Minister David Cameron, served as the permanent secretary at the Department for Communities and Local Government. He retired from the civil service and was ennobled in 2015. The late Queen conferred his peerage.
In addition to his contributions to the civil service, Lord Kerslake held the position of chairman of King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in south London. However, he resigned from the role in 2017, expressing concerns about the sustainability of the healthcare system under current funding levels.
The news of Lord Kerslake’s passing was shared by his sister, Ros Kerslake CBE, on social media. In a heartfelt post, she expressed her devastation over the loss.
Tributes poured in from various senior Labour Party figures, including party leader Sir Keir Starmer, shadow health secretary Wes Streeting, former shadow chancellor John McDonnell, and mayor of London Sadiq Khan. They praised Lord Kerslake’s dedication to public service, his professionalism, and his commitment to tackling inequality.
Sir Keir Starmer took to Twitter to express his condolences, describing Lord Kerslake as a talented public servant and a good man. He acknowledged Lord Kerslake’s experience and wisdom, expressing gratitude for his recent contributions to the Labour Party.
John McDonnell, who had known Lord Kerslake since their time at the Greater London Council, highlighted his unwavering dedication to caring for people and addressing inequality. Wes Streeting echoed the sentiment, emphasizing Lord Kerslake’s commitment and decency as a public servant.
The passing of Lord Kerslake is a significant loss to the political and public service landscape of the United Kingdom. His contributions, integrity, and commitment to serving the public will be remembered and celebrated by those who knew and worked with him. Sincere condolences have been extended to his family during this difficult time.