York’s two MPs have been paying fulsome tribute to the Queen tonight.
York Central MP Rachael Maskell told YorkMix Radio
“I think the service and dedication she has given over 70 years of her life in support of our nation will be the thing at the front of everyone’s mind.
“I’ve never known life without the Queen in place. That will be the same for the vast majority of people across our country.
“She was somebody that was always there, always drawing our nation together at a time of turbulence, and always the peacemaker in those situations.
“So she’ll be a huge loss to our nation.”
Ms Maskell met the Queen when the MP was training to be a physiotherapist.
“She came and opened physio school and she spent a lot of time talking individually to the students.
It was very personal and she was very funny. She was such a delight to speak to and she had a very sharp mind as well. They’re my memories of her.”
York Outer MP Julian Sturdy issued this statement:
“The United Kingdom, the British Overseas’ Territories and the Commonwealth have lost its greatest ever public servant. No one will ever emulate Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s lifetime of dedication to her people and it is difficult to begin to comprehend life without her unifying presence in our lives.
“For most people, they have never known the passing of their monarch so the very real feelings we are experiencing now are unknown but a true expression of what Her Majesty meant to us.
“We will now begin a period of public mourning for The Queen but it is important to remember that, while this is a tragedy for our nation, privately a family is also grieving the loss of a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.
“We take small comfort that her family could be with her today and that only months ago we had the opportunity as a nation to celebrate her platinum jubilee thanking her for a lifetime of service.
“We will miss her and memories of her will live on with the millions of lives she touched.
“God Save The King!”