Single red rose tribute to Dewsbury councillor Paul Kane at first meeting after his death

And in Huddersfield Town Hall the business of local government was temporarily halted as politicians of all parties stood to pay tribute to one of their own who, said one friend, had died before his time.

Coun Kane, 62, a former Mayor of Kirklees who represented Dewsbury East for almost a quarter of a century, died last week just hours after resigning his seat.

The death of another Labour stalwart, former councillor Molly Walton, was announced the same day.

All those present for the November full council meeting stood for a two-minute silence before the evening’s agenda got underway.

Deputy Council Leader Coun Peter McBride said the Labour Group, and the council, had “suffered two profound losses”

He said both Molly Walton and Paul Kane “were characters, ready to go to war for their causes” who would be sadly missed as “people who had huge impact on the lives of others”.

Her voice breaking with emotion, Clr Cathy Scott said: “Paul Kane was a very proud man who never forgot his humble beginnings or where he came from.

“He was passionate about his town and his beloved Dewsbury. He wanted the best for the town, the communities and everything that surrounded it.

“He was instrumental in the change of this landscape across Kirklees.”

Coun Graham Turner recalled his friend, who he referred to as “Kaney”, as being “straight down the line”, “brilliant” and “a fantastic mayor”.

It was an absolute outpouring of grief and sadness but also friendship as elected members talked of their collective loss. It made for a most sombre atmosphere in the council chamber.

Molly Walton, who was in her 80s, retired in 2016 after 26 years on the council. She had been a leading figure in the Huddersfield Labour Party for many years and represented Crosland Moor and Netherton.

There was laughter as colleagues recalled her as a chain-smoking, plain-speaking firebrand “who called a spade a shovel”. She was variously described as “feisty”, “formidable”, “forthright” and “fierce”.

Mayor of Kirklees Coun Mumtaz Hussain described her as “the grandmother of the council” whilst Liberal Democrat group leader Clr John Lawson said she was both a role model and mentor to younger female members.

Coun Mohammad Sarwar spoke of the support he had received from his ward colleague and offered a simple, heartfelt tribute: “I am really sad and broken-hearted.”

And Coun Donald Firth, a veteran Conservative who considered Labour rival Paul Kane to be “a good mate even though we were on different sides”, commented: “We are going to miss Paul and Molly. Both of them were superb people.”