John Marshall, who died on Monday, served as an MEP, MP and Barnet councillor

John Marshall, former MP for Hendon South and Barnet councillor (Credit – Barnet Council)

Tributes have been paid to former Hendon South MP John Marshall who died on Monday at the age of 85.

In a long career as a Conservative politician that began as a councillor in Aberdeen in the 1960s, Marshall served as an MEP, MP and finally as a Barnet councillor, only stepping down in 2022. He served as Mayor of Barnet from 2008 to 2009.

Leading the tributes, current mayor Danny Rich said: “John was a distinguished public servant whom I met on being elected. Although we came from different political parties, his courtesy and capacity to make a new councillor feel at home was a reflection of his inherent decency and fine humanity.”

Council leader Barry Rawlings added: “John Marshall’s life was one of service, dedication, and commitment to the people of Barnet. His work touched every level of public life, from Europe to Westminster to our local council and he leaves a legacy that will long be remembered.

“On behalf of Barnet Council, I extend our deepest sympathies to his family, friends, and all who had the privilege of working with him.”

Paying tribute to his party colleague, Conservative opposition leader Peter Zinkin, said: “John was an outstanding public servant to the residents of Barnet. Over four decades he represented Barnet at almost every level from European parliamentarian to Member of Parliament for Hendon South from ward councillor in the Garden Suburb to Mayor of Barnet and finally as the greatly respected life president of the Finchley and Golders Green Conservative Association which he loved. His service was recognised when he received the freedom of the borough.

“His loss is a devastation to all who knew him well, to his family, his friends and the members of the Conservative Association he led for much of his life. We all offer our deepest condolences to his family and his many friends.”

Marshall was MEP for the London North constituency in the European Parliament between 1979 and 1989. He became MP for Hendon South in 1987 and served until 1997.

When the Hendon South constituency was abolished due to boundary changes before the 1997 general election, Marshall secured the nomination to run for new seat of Finchley and Golders Green but was defeated by Labour’s Rudi Vis, both at that election and again in 2001.

Marshall was elected to Barnet Council in Garden Suburb ward in 1998 and served on the council for 24 years until 2022.

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