Former Montgomeryshire MP Lord Carlile has paid tribute to his former political rival Delwyn Williams who passed away last week.
Lord Alex Carlile paid tribute to fellow former MP Mr Williams as an “entertaining and imaginative” figure who was a “great Montgomeryshire character”.
Lord Carlile defeated Mr Williams in the 1983 election, after Mr Williams had won the seat in the previous election in a stunning upset by defeating the long serving Liberal MP Emlyn Hooson.
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However, Lord Carlile said they had known each other and had worked together long before they faced each other as political rivals.
“I first met Delwyn Williams in 1971, when I was a young barrister and he was a young solicitor,” said Lord Carlile.
“He was very kind to me and instructed me to be a barrister in some of his small cases from that time and I got to know him quite well.
“I always found him to be extremely congenial, very entertaining and imaginative.”
Lord Carlile said that even when he became the Liberal candidate for the next election their relationship remained friendly despite what appeared to be a fierce political battle.
“When I became the Liberal candidate for Montgomeryshire in 1980 he took my appearance as his rival in very good heart,” said Lord Carlile.
“From then until the 1983 election, we fought a campaign which from the outside may have seemed hostile but it was never personally hostile between us.
“Indeed when I became the MP in June 1983 Delwyn behaved with immaculate courtesy throughout.
“After that from time to time I needed to know about a constituency case he had pursued and he was always keen to supply me with helpful information.
“We remained friends although we eventually lost touch.”
He added: “I send my deepest sympathy to his wife Olive and their family at this death.
“He was a great Montgomeryshire character and will be missed.”
There will be a celebration of Mr Williams life at the Kings Head, Guilsfield after his funeral on September 11.
Donations given in memory will be gratefully received for Cancer Research UK and Severn Hospice.
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