An “exceptional” MP who served the people of Mitcham and Morden for 14 years has been praised by politicians following her death this weekend.

Dame Angela Rumbold, a former education minister and vice-chairman of the Conservative party, represented the constituency from 1983 to 1997 and died after a long illness.

Baroness Sayeeda Warsi, the party’s current co-chairman, said Dame Angela was one of the leading politicians of her generation.

She said: “She proved herself to be an exceptional public servant. Her tireless effort at improving the quality and standard of education to children is a testament to her commitment.

“In that time Angela helped transform political life in this country by paving the way for many women of great talent to enter politics.”

Dame Angela first won the seat in a by-election where she beat sitting MP Bruce Douglas-Mann, who had resigned from the Labour party to join the SDP, by more than 4,000 votes.

The former Kingston councillor had been a chairman of governors at Wimbledon High School, and continued to work in education after leaving parliament.

The mother-of-three studied at King’s College London then trained as a barrister.

Wimbledon’s Conservative MP, Stephen Hammond, said: “It’s a great sadness. She may have been a Government minister, but she never forgot she was a servant to people in Mitcham and Morden.”

Labour’s Siobhain McDonagh, the constituency’s current MP, lost to Dame Angela in general elections in 1987 and 1992 before finally defeating her in 1997. This week Ms McDonagh said: “She was a formidable opponent. She was always herself and never pretended to be anyone else.”

Councillor Debbie Shears, leader of the Conservative’s in Merton, said: “I was extremely saddened to learn of Dame Angela's death at the weekend. First and foremost, she will be remembered as a well respected Member of Parliament who worked tirelessly on behalf of the residents of Mitcham and Morden. During her time as an MP and government minister, she did a great deal to put our area on the map.”