Dick Taverne, The Lord Taverne KC
EMBARGO: Immediate release
18 October 1928 – 25 October 2025
It is with great sadness that the family of Dick Taverne has announced his death at the age of 97.
He is survived by his wife of 70 years Janice and by his daughters Suzanna and Caroline.
In a statement, the family said:
“It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Dick Taverne.
“He was a much loved and loving husband, father and grandfather. We will all miss him enormously.
“He died peacefully early this morning at home in London."
The MP for Lincoln between 1962 and 1974, serving as a minister in both the Treasury and the Home Department, he famously won the 1973 Lincoln by-election, having resigned from the Labour Party over his pro-European views.
He was a founder of the Liberal Democrats, when the SDP merged with the Liberal Party in 1988. He was appointed to the House of Lords in 1996.
In 1970, Lord Taverne became the first Director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies.
Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said:
“Dick was a passionate, principled and thoughtful colleague who will be sorely missed by all of us in the Liberal Democrat family. A founding member of our party, Dick was a passionate European who inspired us all with his sharp intelligence and incredible experience in government, politics and beyond over many decades.
“His long and exceptional record of public service is an inspiration to us all, a reminder of what politics can be at its best.
“My thoughts and prayers are with his family and all those who loved him.”
Liberal Democrat Leader in the House of Lords, Jeremy Purvis, added:
“Dick was a greatly valued colleague whose commitment to the causes in which he believed, European integration and cooperation, rational political and economic debate, and fairness, were steadfast. He used his voice in the Lords on those issues to great effect.
“As the Budget approaches, the foundations he laid as the first director of the IFS we still benefit from today. He will be greatly missed and, while we are deeply sad to lose him, we remain inspired by his energy and principles.”
ENDS
The family would be grateful for a period of privacy. Any enquiries should be directed to press@libdems.org.uk.
