Tributes have poured in for former Liberal Democrat leader Paddy Ashdown, who passed away at the age of 77 on Saturday evening following a short illness and battle with bladder cancer.
The Liberal Democrat Party said he would be remembered “as someone who made an immeasurable contribution to furthering the cause of liberalism”
Sir Vince Cable, Theresa May, Jeremy Corbyn and many other politicians and members of the public have paid tribute to Lord Ashdown.
This is a hugely sad day for the Liberal Democrats and for the very many people across political and public life who had immense affection and respect for @paddyashdown. He was famous for his politics but his talents extended well beyond that arena. RIP. https://t.co/Zq8issvSzC
— Vince Cable (@vincecable) December 22, 2018
It is with great sadness that I have learned of the passing of Lord Ashdown. He dedicated his life to public service and he will be sorely missed. My thoughts and condolences are with his family and friends at this difficult time.
— Theresa May (@theresa_may) December 22, 2018
My thoughts are with the family and friends of Paddy Ashdown.
He represented Yeovil very well and I got to know him in the 1980s when we often found ourselves voting in parliament together against damaging government policies.
He will be greatly missed.
— Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) December 22, 2018
Desperately sad news about Paddy Ashdown. I’ve seldom known a public servant with so much energy & dynamism. A passionate & charismatic leader & brilliant communicator, never more so than when he championed the Balkans & appealed to govts of the day to do more in the 1990s. 1/2
— David Cameron (@David_Cameron) December 22, 2018
Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby says Lord Ashdown was an “advocate for those others forgot, full of courage, integrity and immensely gifted”
— Sky News Breaking (@SkyNewsBreak) December 22, 2018
Absolutely devastated to hear of the death of Paddy Ashdown. I’m actually crying. He has been a very good friend to me over the years and would always go out of his way to help me. What a bastard cancer is. A liberal light has gone out tonight. pic.twitter.com/7G3akpqEVl
— Iain Dale (@IainDale) December 22, 2018
Lord Ashdown was the leader of the Liberal Democrats from 1988 to 1999 and was the Member of Parliament for Yeovil from 1983 to 2001. 
Cover Photo Credit: Dave Radcliffe for Liberal Democrats on Flickr licenced under Attribution-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-ND 2.0)
