TRIBUTES have been pouring in for former Salisbury MP Robert Key, who died last week at the age of 77. 

Mr Key, who was MP from 1983 to 2010, died on Friday, February 3, at Salisbury District Hospital, surrounded by his closest friends and family

He died of heart failure and had been in intensive care for around six days before his death. 

Liberal Democrat Paul Sample, who first met Mr Key in 1983 in the Houses of Parliament, added: "He has been taken from us too young. There will be a lot of liberals at his funeral - and people of all backgrounds and beliefs.

"I’m sure he will be up there singing lustily the old hymns with us."

Cllr Sample contested the 1992 election against Mr Key. 

Salisbury Journal: Robert Key in Westminster in June 2005. Picture by Roger ElliottRobert Key in Westminster in June 2005. Picture by Roger Elliott (Image: Newsquest)

Born Simon Robert Key in Plymouth on April 22, 1945 Robert and his family moved to Salisbury in 1947 when he was just two years old. 

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He went to Salisbury Cathedral school, before attending Sherborne School, an independent boys' private boarding and day school in north-west Dorset. 

He then went on to study economics at Clare College, Cambridge.

From there, Robert taught at the Loretto School in Edinburgh, and economics at Harrow School from 1969.

He won the Conservative nomination for the Salisbury seat in 1982, winning at the 1983 election, taking over from fellow Tory Michael Hamilton - increasing the majority by four per cent at the first time of asking. 

He would be Salisbury's MP for 27 years until April 2010. 

Salisbury Journal: The then-prospective Conservative parliamentary candidate for Salisbury, John Glen, with Robert Key, retiring Salisbury MP Robert Key, in February 2010. Picture by Roger Elliott The then-prospective Conservative parliamentary candidate for Salisbury, John Glen, with Robert Key, retiring Salisbury MP Robert Key, in February 2010. Picture by Roger Elliott (Image: Newsquest)

You can read John Glen's tribute to Robert Key here

Former deputy news editor at the Journal, Roland Batten, remembers Robert Key as a 'thoroughly decent and dedicated MP' who 'always put Salisbury and its constituents first'.

Roland said: "He was respected by many, regardless of their political persuasion for they knew he would stand up for them and fight their corner.

"He was the epitome of what a good MP should be."

Salisbury Journal: Salisbury MP Robert Key lends the Princess of Wales a pen during her visit to Castledene Day Centre on May 14, 1991. Picture by Roger ElliotSalisbury MP Robert Key lends the Princess of Wales a pen during her visit to Castledene Day Centre on May 14, 1991. Picture by Roger Elliot (Image: Newsquest)

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During his time in government, Mr Key was Minister for Local Government and Inner Cities in the Department of the Environment (now DEFRA) from 1990–2.

He was also Minister for Sport at the Department of National Heritage (now Culture, Media and Sport) from 1992–3, and Minister for Roads and Traffic from 1993–4.

Independent city councillor Annie Riddle said: "Robert was liked and admired by political allies and opponents alike, and by the public he represented for so long.

"He was incredibly well-informed. He cared passionately about what was best for Salisbury and its people, and about genuinely representative democracy and honest, common-sense politics. 

"He was generous with his time, wise in his advice, and I will miss his friendship."

Salisbury Journal: Robert Key addresses the crowd from the Guildhall steps, watched by his wife Sue, following the presentation to mark his 25 years as M.P for Salisbury. September 20, 2008. Picture by Roger ElliottRobert Key addresses the crowd from the Guildhall steps, watched by his wife Sue, following the presentation to mark his 25 years as M.P for Salisbury. September 20, 2008. Picture by Roger Elliott (Image: Newsquest)

In his younger days, Robert was a member of the Academy of St Martin in the Fields, a small, conductorless string group, as a singer.

The group featured in the soundtrack to the 1984 film Amadeus, an American period biographical drama film that tells a fictionalized story of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart from the time he left Salzburg.

In his retirement, he had a long stint on the Defence Select Committee and enjoyed singing and cooking. 

He also remained actively involved in the local community and local politics. 

In 2015, he threw his support behind the Stars Appeal campaign for a new MRI scanner (pictured below), and in 2019 he urged Salisbury residents not to vote for the Conservative party at the upcoming election

Salisbury Journal:

Robert is survived by his wife Sue, 75, who he married in Perth in 1968.

The couple had three children together: a son, Adam, and two daughters; Sophy and Helen.

They also have seven grandchildren. 

Salisbury Journal: Robert Key sings from the balcony of the White Hart in Salisbury on May 6, 2005.Robert Key sings from the balcony of the White Hart in Salisbury on May 6, 2005. (Image: Tom Gregory)