On Friday 15 July David Ruffley attended and spoke at the funeral of much respected Bury St Edmunds constituent Mr Arthur Smith.

David Ruffley said:

'Arthur's was a life well lived.

He was a brave soldier in the Second World War, an effective trade-unionist and a charismatic community leader as Chairman of the Mildenhall Road Estate Residents Association. He was also a friend to me from when I first became the town's MP. He was a great citizen of the greatest town in England. It was a massive honour to be asked to give the Tribute in a packed church of this great Englishman, who died in the town he loved so much.'