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The Mirror - Robin Cook: 1946-2005: To Mourn Robin Is To Mourn The Fact Of Death Itself...

8 August 2005.

WHEN they rang me to say my good friend Robin Cook was dead I couldn't believe it.

He hadn't been ill. He always looked trim and healthy. But it's true.

Robin's gone, and we are all the poorer for it. The House of Commons has lost its best debater.

No one can remember when he last lost an argument there - if he ever did.

The Labour Party has lost the man whose example kept many disillusioned members from leaving.

The public have lost someone who fearlessly expressed the views of millions.

Politics and politicians have a poor reputation but Robin actually added lustre to our trade.

He did what the public say they want from politicians.

Robin said what he thought.

He put things clearly and crisply. He practiced what he preached. He stuck to his principles. He put his money where his mouth was.

He gave up his Cabinet job, salary and official residence when he resigned because he couldn't stomach the invasion of Iraq.

He went on to demolish the Government's case for the war but he did it without personal malice or rancour.

We had been friends for many years.

That was why he asked me to sit next to him when he made his resignation speech.

He was very tense and I did my best to jolly him up and calm him down.

I'd done that a few times before.

He could be a bit prickly with people at times but he was one of the best sort of friends.

When he was feeling relaxed he was brilliant company and a popular companion.

Robin became a Labour MP because he believed our country and the rest of the world is too unfair, unequal and unpeaceful.

He wanted to make things better.

He wanted life to be more equal and more peaceful for ordinary people in this country and the world over.

He cared. But he didn't just care.

Robin brought real talent, intelligence and integrity to the task of caring.

To mourn Robin's death is to mourn the fact of death itself.