FORMER Blackbird Leys councillor Val Smith has died.

Mrs Smith, wife of Oxford East MP Andrew Smith, died this morning after a long battle with cancer.

Since April she had been cared for at Sobell House Hospice in Headington.

The former city and county councillor resigned in September as the disease became more aggressive.

Mr Smtih said: “Our beautiful Val passed away peacefully in her sleep at Sobell House this morning.

"I have lost the most wonderful loving wife who has been my rock and inspiration, and our family a devoted mother and grandmother.

"Val brought so much joy to all who knew her, helped so many people and worked tirelessly for the community she loved.

"We will miss her so much.”

Mr Smith had paid tribute to his wife just last week, when he was returned as the MP for Oxford East.

He said: “Given the gravity of Val’s health, this has been emotionally a very difficult campaign for me.

“I’m very grateful for the spirit and the support which people of all parties have shown at this time. I’d like to thank each and every one of my opponents for their understanding.”

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His voice broke as he said: “Most of all I want to thank Val, without whom everything I have achieved in politics would not have been possible. Thank you, Val, the dream lives on.”

Speaking to the Oxford Mail he added: “I’ve been really touched and heartened by the enormous number of messages I’ve had from constituents, including people who do not necessarily support me politically.

“The way my opponents and their supporters have fought their campaign, it’s been a good spirit, a supportive spirit.

“There is an important message here; at a time when political argument and differences and principles quite rightly divide us, there is a common humanity that unites us.

“I found that heartening and I know Val would too.”

Oxford City Council leader Bob Price said: "It seems inconceivable that Val is no longer with us, working with her usual energy and good humour to look after the interests of the people of the city that she loved. And , in particular, fighting for the people of Blackbird Leys where she lived for forty years, and represented on the City Council for a quarter of a century.

"Val has had a major influence on city council policies throughout that long period, with a special focus on the problems of housing, homelessness and the need to improve services to the estates. Her contributions to debate and discussion at Council and in meetings of the Labour Group were always notable for their wisdom, compassion and a real understanding of the struggles faced by working people in their everyday lives.

"On a personal level, I will badly miss her infectious sense of fun, her passionate and courageous contributions to difficult policy issues, and the sheer warmth of her personality. She was a wonderful human being.

"The city council Labour group and the whole of the Oxford Labour Party will mourn the loss of a dear friend, a loyal colleague and a fierce campaigner against injustice and inequality.

"Our heart goes out to Andrew, for whom Val has been a wonderful friend and partner throughout their long life together. Winning re-election with a massively increased majority, but without Val at his side on the stage, as she has been on every occasion since 1987, was very sad. Andrew’s many friends in Oxford and in the House of Commons will mourn with him and will be supporting him as he carries on his work as an outstanding local MP."

Councillor Rodney Rose, the deputy leader of Oxfordshire County Council, said: “Val was an articulate and hard-working councillor who rolled up her sleeves and served her electors with distinction for several decades – whether at the city or county council.

“She was held in great respect across the political divide and commanded respect among officers and councillors alike. There is great sadness at her passing.”

Councillor Liz Brighouse, the leader of the opposition Labour group at the county council, said: “Val was a wonderful, trusted colleague and friend for many years. She was a councillor who was right at the heart of her community on a daily basis. Indeed she was the personification of what a good local councillor should be.

“Our thoughts are very much with her husband Andrew Smith and her family at this time.”