Fran Wilde attempted to overturn legal prohibitions against homosexuality, Braybrooke was active in campaigning against the change, and later opposed measures promoted by National's Katherine O'Regan to combat discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation. In 2011, near the end of his life, he said that his views had changed and he had come to accept the gay community. He opposed Helen Clark's rise to the Labour Party's leadership, remaining strongly loyal to her predecessor, Mike Moore. This led him to be involved in the failed discussions during 1995 & 1996 about forming a new breakaway party led by Moore. When he retired from politics, however, he praised Clark in his valedictory speech as "one of the great Labour leaders," and said with regard to his vote for Moore over her that "It just shows that we can all make mistakes and we can all learn. I mean that sincerely." Throughout his career in Parliament, Braybrooke never had ambition to hold any ministerial roles, but did serve as Deputy Speaker and Labour defence spokesperson. Soon after entering parliament he stated his ideal role would have been a Labour government's Senior Whip stating "I think I would be well suited to being a senior whip. There are similarities between a whip and a sergeant major." He held the Napier seat until his retirement at the 2002 elections. Later life and death He died in Palmerston North in 2013. Honours and recognition He was an appointed a Justice of the Peace in 1970. In 1990, Braybrooke was awarded the New Zealand 1990 Commemoration Medal. Following his retirement from Parliament, he was appointed a Companion of the Queen's Service Order for public services, in the 2003 New Year Honours. Notes References 1935 births Military personnel from Kent 2013 deaths People from Gillingham, Kent People educated at Chatham House Grammar School British police officers English emigrants to New Zealand New Zealand Army personnel New Zealand justices of the peace New Zealand Labour Party MPs People from Napier, New Zealand Royal Army Medical Corps soldiers Companions of the Queen's Service Order Members of the New Zealand House of Representatives New Zealand MPs for North Island electorates Unsuccessful candidates in the 1978 New Zealand general election Unsuccessful candidates in the 1975 New Zealand general election Unsuccessful candidates in the 1972 New Zealand general election 21st-century New Zealand politicians British Army personnel of the Korean War New