THE ENORMOUS love and respect for the life and work of former Argyll and Bute MP, Baroness Ray Michie of Gallanach, has been reflected in the powerful tributes paid to her over the past week.
Adored by her constituents and admired and respected across the political divide, Baroness Michie was renowned for hard work, commitment and integrity.
Her passing, after a long battle with illness, was marked in the House of Commons by the Prime Minister, Gordon Brown and Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg last week.
Baroness Michie came to Argyll in 1972 and stayed in Gallanach, Oban, for the majority of those years with her late husband, Dr Iain Michie, who died in October 2006.
Between 1977-1987 she worked as a speech therapist with Argyll and Clyde Health Board. She then served as Argyll MP from 1987-2001 and was a tireless campaigner for her constituents.
On accepting her life peerage on July 14 2001, she became the first to pledge the oath of allegiance in Gaelic. She was also chairwoman of the Scottish Liberal Democrats between 1991-1993 and sat on the House of Commons select committee on Scottish Affairs between 1992-1997.
Ross, Skye and Lochaber MP Charles Kennedy said: ‘Ray Michie was one of my closest personal friends and professional confidantes in politics. The very sad news of her passing leaves public life much the poorer.
‘Alongside her personal charm and tremendous sense of humour and fun was a first-class political brain which was able to judge individuals and issues with great shrewdness. She was never taken in by exaggeration and had a knack of getting right to the genuine heart of the matter. Her advice was always worth having.
‘I was sorry when she decided to retire from the Commons but delighted when she accepted – after a little persuasion – my offer of a life peerage. Her commitment to the Highlands and Islands remained to the fore – not least through her chairmanship of the all-important working group into the future provision of surgical services across the west Highlands.
‘We have all lost a true friend of principle and of people.’
First Minister Alex Salmond said: ‘It is the calibre of Ray Michie that when I asked if she would serve on the Broadcasting Commission, she insisted on doing so despite her battle with cancer.’
Baroness Michie’s successor in the Argyll and Bute constituency seat, Alan Reid MP, said: ‘Ray was a very caring person and that could be seen in her work, first as a speech therapist and then as a local MP.
‘She worked tirelessly for her constituents in the Commons and continued this work in the Lords where she took her oath in Gaelic. The language and the culture of the Gael and the Highlands and islands were very dear to her. The people of Argyll and Bute will always have a special place in their hearts for Ray Michie and I send my condolences to her family.’
Jamie McGrigor, Highlands and Islands MSP, talked of his ‘great sadness’.
Mr McGrigor, who lives in Argyll, said: ‘Everyone who knew Ray will feel a sense of loss. She was a tireless worker for her constituents and a thoroughly nice person.
‘Despite our party differences over policy, she was almost most gracious and would always speak to me on issues concerning her beloved Argyll, especially if she thought I could help.
‘She had an infectious smile which could turn into a steely glint if she didn’t approve.
‘She chaired the West Highland Project concerning Lorn and The Isles Hospital in Oban and the Belford in Fort William and, like me, was happy that acute services were retained at both hospitals.
‘I will miss her and my deepest sympathy goes to her family.’
Jim Mather, MSP for Argyll and Bute, said: ‘It was with extreme sadness that I heard of the passing of Baroness Michie.
‘She was a gracious, generous and hard working politician with the best interests of her constituents always to the fore. Her particular, long-standing support of Gaelic struck a chord with many in Argyll and Bute and beyond.
‘She will be sadly missed but leaves a great legacy that is worthy of the deepest respect.’
Professor Donald Meek, of the department of Celtic and Scottish Studies at Edinburgh University, described her as ‘the finest MP that Argyll had in my memory’.
He added: ‘She was committed, clear in her views, thoroughly familiar with her constituency, a warm supporter of Gaelic and wonderful to work with.
‘There was a quality about Ray that was ‘above the battle’ – the deeper, more lasting values of humanity were at the core of her being, rather than petty party politics. Oh for more like her! I have lost a great friend and a fine role model, whom I could not even begin to emulate in the fullness of her being.’
Graeme Pagan, Oban, retired solicitor and former chairman of the Argyll and Bute Liberal Democrats, worked with Baroness Michie throughout her political career. He said: ‘The three words I associate with her are courage, dedication and integrity. She was so proud to be the local MP. The people chose her and, by Jove, she was going to make sure she never let them down.
‘But she also had a sense of fun and was a hugely kind and entertaining person.
‘I think she was so popular among her constituents because she was approachable and was prepared to listen.
‘It is easy to say someone is irreplacable and a one-off when they are gone but she truly was, and I was privileged to work with her.’
Councillor Rory Colville, South Kintyre, who was a former chairman of the Argyll and Bute Constituency Liberal Democrat Party said Mrs Michie was ‘a wonderful person’.
‘She really was lovely. I remember I was with her one time, 10 years ago; we were on the ferry leaving Islay. As she looked back towards Port Askaig she said, ‘you must remember these people are my family’.
‘And that’s how she viewed the people of Argyll and Bute as members of her family whether they voted for her or not.
‘It was something personal she said to me in a private moment and I think that sums her up; she was a very genuine person.’
