She was the longest - serving female MP in the UK .
17 April : Gwyneth Dunwoody , Labour MP for Crewe ( 1974 -- 83 ) and Crewe and Nantwich ( 1983 -- 2008 ) , dies after surgery for a heart condition .
Gwyneth Dunwoody was the longest - serving female MP in the UK .
17 April : Gwyneth Dunwoody , Labour MP for Crewe ( 1974 -- 83 ) and Crewe and Nantwich ( 1983 -- 2008 ) , dies after surgery for a heart condition .