Shailesh Vara MP paid tribute to the life of HRH Prince Philip in a speech in the House of Commons yesterday.

Mr Vara opened his remarks by expressing condolences on behalf of himself and his constituents in North-West Cambridgeshire.

He spoke of the success of the Duke of Edinburgh scheme saying that it was perhaps the “most visible” of the Prince’s achievements which had “benefited generations of young people” including some in his constituency.

Mr Vara also recounted a personal memory of meeting with Prince Philip, when they discussed the 1972 expulsion of Asians from Uganda and how he was impressed with the Prince’s attention to detail, saying “here was a Prince who had a real depth of knowledge”

Mr Vara concluded his speech by referring to the Royal Family’s personal loss of “a husband, a father, a grand father, and a great-grandfather” and that the Prince’s “deeds and achievements and their impact will continue long after we are all gone.” 

Following the debate Mr Vara said:

“Prince Philip was a towering figure who played a significant role in our nation and the Commonwealth for much of his life. I doubt we shall see the likes of him again and it is fitting that Parliament should pay tribute to his life and achievements.”

A link to Mr Vara’s full speech is available here.