“ONE of the most principled people I knew.”

That is one of the many tributes that have been paid to former Leeds North West MP Harold Best who died on Monday, aged 82.

Mr Best served as Member of Parliament for the constituency, which includes Otley, Bramhope, Pool-in-Wharfedale and part of Yeadon, from 1997 until his retirement as an MP in 2005.

The former electrician had won the seat during Labour’s 1997 election landslide victory, beating the sitting MP Keith Hampson to become the constituency’s first Labour MP.

Current MP Alex Sobel (Lab, Leeds North West) said: “My first ever tour of Parliament was with Harold and I wasn’t even a constituent. His example is something I now follow as the MP and my first ever canvassing session was with Harold on the Meanwood Valley Estate, where he spoke to me about the difference a Labour council could make.

“I now try and inspire young activists in the way Harold inspired me. He had Leeds North West flowing through his veins and did so much to bring government funding to our area and the rebuilding of Wharfedale Hospital.”

Leeds City Council Leader and former Leeds North West Parliamentary candidate, Councillor Judith Blake, said: “My thoughts go out to Glyn and all of his family at this difficult time. So many Labour Party members across Leeds will remember Harold with great respect and affection.

“His famous victory in the election of 1997 changed the political map forever. Harold served his constituents with great passion and conviction and his loss will be felt deeply by those who knew him.”

Former Labour councillor - and a former Otley Town Council leader - John Eveleigh said: “Harold was one of the most principled people that I knew. I got to know him very well and can say categorically that Otley would not have a hospital today were it not for the lead that Harold took back in the late nineties.

“He was a great humanitarian and one of the brave Labour MPs who voted against the war in Iraq. I remember the euphoria that we all felt when he became the first Labour MP for Leeds North West and I was always taken by the way he connected with people.”

Chair of the Leeds North West Labour Party, Anne Cherry, added: “Those of us privileged to work with Harold remember him as a passionate supporter of the community he lived in and represented, and a staunch defender of the best in traditional socialism. “