A Legacy of Compassion: Remembering Dame Annette Brooke's Impact on Politics and Community

Dame Annette Brooke, who served as the longest-serving female Liberal Democrat MP, has sadly passed away at the age of 78. Representing Mid-Dorset and North Poole in Parliament from 2001 to 2015, she was honored with the title of MP of the Year in 2010. Before her parliamentary career, Dame Annette was an economics teacher in Aylesbury and Bournemouth and dedicated 20 years to tutoring at the Open University.

Despite her constituency being reclaimed by the Conservatives in 2015, she actively supported efforts to regain it, particularly backing BCP Council leader Vikki Slade for the 2024 elections. Ms. Slade honored her legacy, stating Dame Annette was “a champion for social justice and an incredible constituency MP,” highlighting her profound impact on local individuals, many of whom cherished her assistance.

Dame Annette had a passion for improving conditions in developing countries, championing initiatives like microfinance to foster self-sufficiency among the world’s poorest. In her parliamentary role, she focused on Home Affairs under Charles Kennedy and was pivotal in shaping the Liberal Democrats’ stance on children, schools, and families. Notably, her advocacy for equal access for disabled children led to the landmark decision to release the final Harry Potter book in Braille on the same day as the printed edition.

Her extensive public service also included 17 years as a Poole councillor, where she facilitated the transition to a unitary authority. Beyond politics, Dame Annette enjoyed reading, gym workouts, and shopping with her daughters. Even after stepping back from Westminster, she remained engaged in Dorset politics, often supporting her husband Mike, a Poole councillor, and actively participating in Dementia charities.

In a poignant reflection of her values, she hosted a refugee family from Ukraine, using her platform to advocate for policy changes regarding the use of foreign cars. While she never realized her dream of becoming the first female Chancellor of the Exchequer, her commitment as a Liberal Democrat left a meaningful mark on both local and national landscapes.