Denzil Davies was quiet on the surface but a fiercely intelligent man who was always superb company. His dry wit and deep knowledge of the Labour party, especially “Old Labour”, were an addition to any conversation. “Den” would regale me with tales of life inside several chaotic Labour governments before the party left him behind with the election of Tony Blair as leader. After that, he was not afraid to take unpopular positions on big issues, such as Europe and women in the party. We did not always agree.
Most of all, though, I shall remember him for his sardonic wit, his wry smile, his curiosity and his personal kindness through the four decades in which I knew him.
John Mair
The obituary for Denzil Davies rightly referred to the strength of his personal convictions. This was demonstrated in March 2003 when he was one of the Labour MPs who voted against the Iraq war.
Richard Heller
