How memory of Tessa Jowell unites three new MPs

Baroness Tessa Jowell, the former Labour Culture Secretary and Olympics minister who died of brain cancer six years ago

Three newly elected Labour MPs have arrived at Parliament with a shared sadness that their former boss is not there to see it.

The trio all worked for Baroness Tessa Jowell, the former Labour Culture Secretary and Olympics minister who died of brain cancer six years ago.

Liam Conlon, Jess Asato and Tom Rutland now represent three very different parts of the country.

They still stay in touch via a “Tessa” WhatsApp group.

Tom Rutland, Jessica Asato and Liam Conlon all worked for Baroness Tessa Jowell

Mr Conlon won Beckenham and Penge in south-east London with a majority of more than 13,000.

The constituency is next door to the Dulwich and West Norwood seat Dame Tessa represented until 2015.

“I know if Tessa was still here, she’d have been out campaigning with me all the time,” he said.

“There have been many times, particularly when things have been difficult, where I’d have given anything to have been able to call her for advice.”

'What would Tessa do?'

Ms Asato, who was elected in Lowestoft in Suffolk, worked as a political adviser to Dame Tessa for four years and said she was always encouraged to stand as an MP.

“Most days during the campaign I wore a scarf she brought back for me from a trip she made each summer to India for a charity she loved, Magic Bus," Ms Asato said.

“During tricky moments, I would think, 'what would Tessa do?'. It kept me going.”

Jessica Asato on the recent campaign trail wearing a scarf that was a gift from Tessa Jowell

Baroness Jowell, who played a key role in securing the 2012 London Olympics, was diagnosed with brain cancer in May 2017 and died a year later.

She was widely praised for her work raising awareness about the illness.

Mr Conlon, who is the son of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s chief of staff, Sue Gray, worked in Ms Jowell’s office when she was an MP.

He later helped set up the Tessa Jowell Brain Cancer Mission, and worked with her on her speech to the House of Lords in 2018 weeks before her death, which drew a standing ovation.

He also helped organise Baroness Jowell’s memorial service at Southwark Cathedral, where former prime minister Tony Blair led the tributes.

He said: “Tessa achieved so much as an MP, including Sure Start and the Olympics, but she’s remembered just as much for how she did things, including the empathy and care she had for her constituents, especially the most vulnerable.

“That’s something I’ve never forgotten and will be thinking about a lot as I get to work as the MP for Beckenham and Penge.”

Mr Conlon and Ms Asato with Baroness Jowell ahead of her 2018 speech in the House of Lords about her condition

Ms Asato said Baroness Jowell was a “trailblazer” for women, and teamwork was central to her boss’s outlook.

“That’s why I’m so chuffed Liam and Tom have also been elected," she said.

"We will all channel Tessa’s commitment to collaboration I’m sure.

“One of her favourite sayings was the Harry Truman quote, 'It’s amazing what you can achieve if you don’t care who takes the credit'.

“I hope we remember that as we start our exciting journeys in Parliament.”

Mr Rutland, elected in the Sussex constituency of East Worthing and Shoreham, was an aide to former Transport Secretary Lord Adonis, who was seconded to work on Baroness Jowell’s bid to become London’s mayor in 2015.

She was defeated in the race for the Labour nomination by current incumbent Sadiq Khan.