Colleagues and constituents pay tribute to Ashok Kumar
The tributes paid to Ashok Kumar this week suggest that respect for politicians hasn't entirely disappeared.
Of course, people always say nice things about you after you've died, but in the case of the Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland MP, the tributes have the ring of authenticity.
His colleagues clearly held him in high regard. The appearance of Harriet Harman and Hilary Benn at Friday's memorial service in Guisborough was a demonstration of that.
His political rivals have also been fulsome in praise. The Conservative MEP Martin Callanan, who was our guest on the Politics Show today, talked before the programme about what a genuine and nice man he was.
But the most telling tributes have come from his constituents.
People often deride politicians - occasionally with good cause - but Ashok Kumar's death has led people to reveal publicly what often goes unsaid - namely the help an MP can give to their constituents.
Often people will condemn politicians in general, but actually make an exception for their local MP as they can see what they are doing.
If you want evidence of that you only have to look at some of the tributes to Ashok Kumar that came into the Teesside Gazette this week.
I was particularly struck by one from Barbara Dunne, a Middlesbrough mum whose son Robert was stabbed and murdered.
She's been campaigning as part of a group called Mothers Against Knives.
In her tribute she says: "He gave me huge support knowing I was dealing with a sensitive life event I will never forget him as long as I live for the support he gave to me."
I'm sure that's the kind of obituary Ashok Kumar would have valued the most.
I'm Richard Moss, the BBC's Political Editor for the North East and Cumbria. Welcome to my irreverent - but hopefully insightful - northern take on reporting politics for Look North and the Politics Show.
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