Tributes paid to 'dedicated' mayor who died at 37

Tributes have been paid to a "dedicated" mayor who has died of cancer at 37.

Luke Mackenzie, a Conservative, became an Essex county councillor in 2021 and mayor of Basildon in 2022.

One fellow councillor described him as a "dedicated public servant".

"He will be much-missed, and we offer our condolences to his family and friends,” said Kevin Bentley, Conservative leader of the county council.

Mr Bentley said he was "deeply saddened" at news of Mr Mackenzie's "untimely" death.

"He was a highly regarded and well-liked colleague, especially by our members from Basildon Borough, and his loss will be keenly felt," he said.

"His 38th birthday would have been next week."

Conservative leader of Basildon Council, Andrew Baggott, said: "Luke was a dedicated public servant, becoming a councillor at a very young age.

"He served his local community with pride as a ward councillor from 2008 to 2012, and again from 2018, as well as a county councillor from 2021."

Mr Baggott said Mr Mackenzie, who represented Pitsea on the county council and Pitsea South East on the borough council, would be remembered with "great fondness" and as someone who always put other people first.

"I speak on behalf of the whole of Basildon when I offer my sincerest condolences to Luke's family, his loved ones and all those who had the privilege of working with him. We will miss him dearly," he added.

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