Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Lakhman Arjan Vara, Conservative MP Shailesh Vara's father, dies at 98: 'A life well lived, full of love'

The senior Vara was born in Ranavav in the Indian state of Gujarat in 1924 and moved to Uganda with family in later years.

Lakhman Arjan Vara, Conservative MP Shailesh Vara's father, dies at 98: 'A life well lived, full of love'

Lakhman Arjan Vara, the father of Conservative parliamentarian Shailesh Vara, passed away in London on Tuesday (10).

He was 98.


He was born in Ranavav in Porbandar district of the western Indian state of Gujarat on September 7, 1924. The day of the funeral was yet to be known.

The Varas had moved to Uganda in Africa where Shailesh was born in 1960 but the family moved to the UK four years later.

The mourning family issued a note confirming the death of the senior Vara.

Shailesh Vara Parliamentarian Shailesh Vara (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)

It said, "Passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family. A divine soul who touched the lives of many with his beautiful smile, warmth, generosity and humility.

"A life well lived, full of love, affection and kindness; forever in our hearts.

"A much loved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather."

The family also urged that its privacy be respected in the hour of grief.

It said, "The family asks that their privacy is respected at this time and that there are no home visits. Those wishing to express personal condolences should please attend the prathna sabha or funeral, details of which will follow."

Shailesh Vara is a five-time parliamentarian from North West Cambridgeshire and has served in various government posts, including the secretary of state for Northern Ireland between July and September 2022.

More For You

London tourist levy

The capital recorded 89 m overnight stays in 2024

iStock

London to introduce tourist levy that could raise £240 million a year

Kumail Jaffer

Highlights

  • Government expected to give London powers to bring in a tourist levy on overnight stays.
  • GLA study says a £1 fee could raise £91m, a 5 per cent charge could generate £240m annually.
  • Research suggests London would not see a major fall in visitor numbers if levy introduced.
The mayor of London has welcomed reports that he will soon be allowed to introduce a tourist levy on overnight visitors, with new analysis outlining how a charge could work in the capital.
Early estimates suggest a London levy could raise as much as £240 m every year. The capital recorded 89 m overnight stays in 2024.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to give Sadiq Khan and other English city leaders the power to impose such a levy through the upcoming English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill. London currently cannot set its own tourist tax, making England the only G7 nation where national government blocks local authorities from doing so.

A spokesperson for the mayor said City Hall supported the idea in principle, adding “The Mayor has been clear that a modest tourist levy, similar to other international cities, would boost our economy, deliver growth and help cement London’s reputation as a global tourism and business destination.”

Keep ReadingShow less