ANDREW Smith paid an emotional tribute to people in Blackbird Leys as he signed off as Oxford East’s MP.

The message was the 66-year-old’s last piece of official correspondence yesterday before Parliament was dissolved at midnight, ahead of June 8’s snap General Election.

Mr Smith, who is retiring from politics after 30 years as the area’s MP, said he had written to all of his constituents but wanted to thank people in the estate where he lives for their ‘friendship, support and advice over the years’.

In the letter addressed to Blackbird Leys Parish Council, he wrote: “It has been a privilege to serve this wonderful community.

“I will always love this place and our people, who have loyally supported me through good times and bad.

“The views and values of local people, their solidarity, their friendship, their compassion, their love of our community and our country, have helped me, and guided me, through many difficult decisions. I have done my best to serve all constituents, and whilst there is always more to do, I think we have together been able over the years to do a lot to make things better.”

Before being elected MP in 1987, Mr Smith had also represented the Leys as a city councillor for 10 years. After he went to Parliament, his wife Val Smith was elected a city and county councillor for the area as well.

Mrs Smith died in 2015 after a battle with cancer and a memorial garden in her memory was opened earlier this year.

Mr Smith added: “I will continue to have my home here, and to help where I can.

“Blackbird Leys means so much to me, and always will, as it did to Val.”

Responding yesterday, parish council chairman Gordon Roper told the Oxford Mail: “I have known Andrew for the best part of 35 to 40 years and over those years got to know Val as well.

“We have found him sincere, approachable and he will always do his best for all his constituents, whichever party they vote for.

“He was a brilliant MP.”

And Jim Hewitt, who has lived in Blackbird Leys since 1974 and runs the credit union, said Mr Smith helped it install the first no-charge ATM on the estate.

He said: “He’s a first-rate constituency MP, a man of principle and commitment, and with a very friendly approach to everything.”

Members of the Save Our Stadium campaign, which has fought for years to re-open the greyhound track in Sandy Lane, also extended their well-wishes to Mr Smith. Chairman Ian Sawyer said: “Andrew gave a lot of good guidance.

“Even through the sad times with his wife he was always very supportive and contactable. I’ve always found he has time to chat.”

Sue Price, secretary at Blackbird Leys Adventure Playground, said Mr Smith had been a big supporter of BLAP over its 35-year history.

She said: “When we first re-opened [in 2010] we talked about funding and he sent me details from the House of Commons about things we might be able to find. It was really good.

“He has listened, he has been approachable, he understands and he does things about things. We are going to miss him like mad.”

Nick Tills, who runs the Blackbird Leys Information Technology Zone (BLITZ) in the community centre, said Mr Smith had helped him through personal troubles as well as running the charity.

He said: “Andrew was really supportive and got back to me really quickly with responses, and he always did what he could to help us with BLITZ.

“I was always happy to vote for him simply because he was a very good constituency MP.”

Denise Morrey, a churchgoer at the Church of the Holy Family, said: “I think he has been fantastic; he has lived in the community and really understands the issues, and is just great.

“He has always been really positive about the church and the work that it does, and we are really grateful to have had his support.

“He will really be missed. I just hope that he carries on being supportive as he continues to live locally.”