James was a dear friend, a kind, generous and thoughtful man, and one of the best people I've ever worked with.  I served as his junior minister in the Northern Ireland Office where a few sketchwriters amused themselves with the idea that we were twins operating at the despatch box.  In fact Quentin Letts made the joke first, about a decade ago this month, when I first joined the ministerial ranks;  James was of course an excellent person to take advice, friendship and hairstyle tips from.  More recently we've both taken a hit to the hair having been buddies in chemotherapy.  I am lucky enough to have recovered from cancer and I am devastated that James was not.  We are all the lesser without him.  I would be honoured to be James' twin.