Caroline Spelman, the Party Chairman, has expressed her sorrow at the death of Lord Sandy Bruce-Lockhart, the former Conservative leader of Kent County Council and Chairman of the Local Government Association.
"He was an exceptionally able local government leader, and Kent will forever be in his debt for his innovative ideas."
"I was particularly impressed by the way he used his skills to fight the corner of councils throughout the country as chair of the LGA. He and John Prescott, with whom he frequently dealt with in Government, were unlikely sparring partners, but I think John would acknowledge the elegant way Sandy led the LGA."
"Sandy came from a diplomatic family and this really showed when he was negotiating."