‘He made politics human’: Birkenhead mourns beloved MP Frank Field

At community centre where politician would make himself at home, there is gratitude for his work and sadness at his death

In a community cafe in Rock Ferry, one of the most deprived parts of Wirral, a landline phone connected directly to Frank Field’s Westminster office. It was an ever-present link to the area’s veteran MP – not that they needed it.

Field, who represented Birkenhead for 40 years, could often be found mingling with residents in the Neo Community centre, where he would make himself at home, even down to washing the dishes. Volunteers knew they were in for a long chat if he said: “Shall we have a butty?”