Peter Ainsworth, Tory whip who served in the Shadow Cabinet and was passionate about the environment – obituary
Described as ‘a Technicolor human being’, he was Campaigning Politician of the Year in 1993 and championed English classical music
Peter Ainsworth at the 2000 Conservative Party conference in Bournemouth
Credit: Nils Jorgensen/Shutterstock
Peter Ainsworth, who has died suddenly aged 64, was Conservative MP for East Surrey from 1992 to 2010, a government whip under John Major, and shadow secretary for culture and later the environment under William Hague, Iain Duncan Smith and David Cameron.
Yet he made as great a contribution to public life after leaving the Commons, as chairman of the Big Lottery Fund, the Churches Conservation Trust, the Elgar Foundation and the Heritage Alliance.
Former East Surrey MP Peter Ainsworth has died suddenly, aged 64
Mr Ainsworth served as East Surrey s MP for 18 years
11:46, 8 APR 2021
Peter Ainsworth left the House of Commons on April 12, 2010 and did not stand for re-election
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Tributes paid after former lottery fund chair dies aged 64
Peter Ainsworth had been chair of the Churches Conservation Trust since 2016 and the Heritage Alliance since 2018
by Stephen Delahunty
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Boris Johnson has paid tribute to former Conservative MP Peter Ainsworth who has died aged 64.
Mr Ainsworth was MP for East Surrey from 1992 to 2010 and served in the shadow cabinet.
Mr Johnson said he was a delightful colleague and passionate about his causes especially the environment .
The PM also recalled sharing a corridor with him in Parliament and said the pair often found themselves charging late for votes. He has been taken far too young, Mr Johnson added and said his thoughts were with Mr Ainsworth s widow Claire and his family.
During his time in the House of Commons, Mr Ainsworth held a series of senior frontbench roles, including shadow culture secretary and shadow environment secretary.
Boris Johnson has paid tribute to former Conservative MP Peter Ainsworth, who has died aged 64.
Mr Ainsworth was MP for East Surrey from 1992 to 2010 and held a series of frontbench roles, including as shadow culture secretary and shadow environment secretary.
Sad to hear about the loss of Peter Ainsworth – a delightful colleague & passionate about his causes, especially the environment. We shared a corridor & often found ourselves charging late for the division. He has been taken far too young. My thoughts with Claire & their family.
The Prime Minister said Mr Ainsworth was a “delightful colleague” and “passionate about his causes, especially the environment”.