Ulitzer95

From a mate: “He’s very very unwell. Potentially not at death’s door but would take him years to recover in order to be able to do the job again.” Doesn’t know the specific condition but knows that the recovery time is very long.

He'll get Guardian, Tele and Times obits for sure.

As suggested... Baroness Meacher today announced to the House of Lords that Frank Field, now known as Lord Field of Birkenhead (wiki), 79, is dying (BBC link). She revealed that he had recently spent time in a hospice and a very reliable Labour friend of mine (same source who told me Sir Gerald Kaufman was dying) says he has aggressive stage 4 cancer (though doesn't know what type of cancer). Field started life out as a member of the Conservative Party, before defecting to Labour in 1960. He was elected as a councillor in Hounslow in 1964 and served for 4 years. He was first elected as an MP (for the constituency of Birkenhead) in 1979. He lost his seat in 2019, owing to the fact that he fell out with the Corbyn leadership of the Labour Party over anti-semitism (the "final straw" according to the man himself, though he had tensions with the party for years). He was forced to stand as an independent, but only captured over 7000 votes. He served as the Minister of Welfare Reform under Tony Blair from 1997 to 1998, his only ministerial position. In 2010, Field became the only Labour MP with a role in David Cameron's government, after being appointed "poverty tsar". He later served as Chair of the Work and Pensions Select Committee from 2015 to 2019, succeeding Dame Anne Begg. He was elevated to the House of Lords in October 2020, and he chose to sit as a non-affiliated member. Somewhat of a legend in the world of politics, and respected on all sides of the political spectrum. Field is from a generation of Old Labour types where it was never deemed acceptable to come out as gay. He's also a firm believer in Brexit, and was one of only a handful of Labour MPs to share this view in the 2017–2019 Parliament (along with Dennis Skinner, Kate Hoey, maybe a couple of others). In my opinion, a must for DL 2022.

I hope he gets a THR obit. Eugene Iglesias didn't.

Two users on there say it's unconfirmed?

Jeffrey Holland now the sole survivor of the 2008 group pic following the death of Snoad (still awaiting an obit though).

So what? I don't think you understand so I'll try and explain a little better. The silent era ran from 1894 to 1929. That's not up for dispute. It's pretty much universally accepted amongst film historians. If other countries chose to continue making silent films thereafter then that's fine but it's not relevant to the silent film era. The Artist was a 2011 silent film. That does not make James Cromwell a silent era actor.

Glynis Johns Norman Jewison Jonnie Irwin Philippe de Gaulle Thomas P. Stafford Josip Manolić Frank Field Gudrun Ure William Russell 9/50

LMAO. I know Emily. That’s not her!

Silent era ended in 1930. How could she have been a silent film actress if her first role was in 1935?

Farage loves when this happens. More attention, more sympathy, more support.

*died

Of more interesting note, she was a codebreaker during WWII and worked with the folk at Bletchley from their Ottawa branch. I wasn’t even aware Bletchley had an Ottawa branch but you learn something new every day!

Retired on 13th May, played his last gig on 16th, and with it came the formal end of Black Lace after 49 years. Said to have died yesterday in Tenerife "suddenly" and unexpectedly. Him and his wife were due to formally move to Spain this week according to another tweet. Very sad – RIP Colin. He essentially was Black Lace.

Probably worth mentioning that Maria De Aragon filled in as Greedo when they had to reshoot some cantina scenes. Paul Blake (wiki) was the main actor who played Greedo. He's still with us, and turned 75 last week.

Glynis Johns Norman Jewison Jonnie Irwin Philippe de Gaulle Thomas P. Stafford Josip Manolić Frank Field Gudrun Ure 8/50

Pretty low stuff from Largan. I’ve met him and thought he was a tosspot.

Interesting Times piece today that has spoken to anonymous Labour sources/Labour MPs. Diane wasn't the only one offered a peerage. Another female Labour MP was offered and refused, remarking "They offered me a seat in the House of Lords because some little boy wanted my seat." The article alleges that they were away to move in on the leftist Poplar MP Apsana Begum before the Diane Abbott stuff blew up in their face. It also suggests that Kate Osamor MP could be deselected last minute, because although she was reinstated as a Labour MP, a group of staffers have since come forward and made complaints about her. "Labour left fears there could be a fresh “purge” when the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meets to finalise candidates on Tuesday." Also of note – Starmer is trying to parachute Tory > Labour turncoat Shaun Woodward, former MP and Northern Ireland Sec, into a safe seat. He stood down in 2015, and at the time was said to be "the only Labour MP with a butler". Oh my... seems Starmer is really in touch with the working classes.

I’m not sure how many they’ll be allowed to create though. Through no fault of the system a shit ton of Labour peers have died or retired in recent years, bringing their number in the House to a much lower number than when Blair stuffed the house with 100s of Tony’s cronies. The body that approves the creation of new peers is much stricter than in those days.

All three are mid range notability. Not obscure but not prominent. I’d heard of them before joining here but only because I’m a huge movie fan and know more actors than the average person. Agree they’re not notable enough for the main DL (maybe Marla is at a push). Also agree with your assessment about the list being lazily packed with 90+ year olds, especially healthy ones like DvD. Every year the same strategy is used, which is why they occasionally end up with these dud years of less than 15 hits which is shit poor when you consider there are 50 places.

How do you know that?! This would suggest there was. Remember that not all U.S. birth records are on Ancestry. Depends on the state. Also, a quick search on Ancestry reveals that there were quite a few people called "Earl Barton" born in or around 1929. It's not a rare name. I don't think this is conclusive proof of being him at all.

You sure that's him? His real name was Erwin Barer, not Earl Barton.

Just like how you said Nora Cortiñas was improving? Do us a favour drol – go over to the Jimmy Carter thread and write “Jimmy Carter improving”. Please

Will believe it when I see it. Only one poll matters.