MPs have paid tribute to big-hearted Austin Thomas who would happily dish out advice to help further their political careers.Scores of politicians paid tribute to the life of teacher and politician Mr Thomas in the House of Assembly yesterday.The founding member of the Progressive Labour Party will be best remembered for commanding the attention of everyone with his lengthy but eloquent speeches. Many politicians fondly recalled how Mr Thomas was always on hand with help, advice and encouragement.They also remembered their favourite stories about the “real character” that used to tug at the top of his trousers and talk with his huge eyes.Mr Thomas, whose funeral took place on Thursday, represented Pembroke East as a PLP MP for nearly 20 years until he helped form the National Liberal Party. He was also chairman of the Berkeley Educational Society. He died aged 77 at Agape House earlier this month, leaving behind wife Eula, daughters Renee Thomas and Selena Jones and three grandchildren.PLP MP Elvin James said: “I will remember how he used to stand up and say what he believed in. The first thing you would always notice were his eyes. He talked with his eyes.”Speaker of the House Stanley Lowe called Mr Thomas the “most eloquent person to ever sit in the House of Assembly.”He said: “He commanded the attention of everyone. He used to have those huge wide eyeballs and tug at the top of his trousers, he was such a character. He was honest, sincere and very liberal in his advice.”Mr Lowe said he remembers Mr Thomas congratulating him when he became speaker of the house, saying, “he was so ecstatic and overjoyed, it was like he’d won an election.”He added: “He believed if he could help someone along the way, his living would not be in vain.“You did not have to wait until Sunday morning to hear a sermon, he lived it.”UBP MP Louise Jackson said she had fond memories of Mr Thomas when she his teacher.She said: “He had to be one of the most eloquent students that I ever taught. I was in absolute awe of what he did with his life. I always looked up to him.”UBP MP John Barritt said Mr Thomas was a steadfast family man, who was grounded in his Christian faith. He said: “Austin cast a great shadow; it wasn’t just a shadow but he had his roots in everything he did. He could talk and after an hour he wouldn’t have even taken off his sweater let alone started to bowl. He will be sorely missed by his family and the community.”PLP MP Walter Lister, who served alongside Mr Thomas, said he had first met him in 1971, just prior to the 1972 election.He said: “He took the time to talk to me and gave me the encouragement to join the PLP.“He had a perfect command of the English language. It was beautiful to sit and listen to him.”While Minister with Portfolio Michael Weeks said he was honoured to have been asked to talk at Mr Thomas’ funeral.He said: “He was very important in my political life. I asked for advice and he was there constantly telling me what I should be doing in the House and in my constituency.”Transport Minister Terry Lister said Mr Thomas was “a fine man best-known for his long speeches” joking that it was only fitting that his funeral had been a long send-off.UBP MP Patricia Gordon-Pamplin said Mr Thomas was formerly one of her constituents describing him as “a true gentleman.”She said: “He was a man of integrity. He offered an awful lot to the community.”Deputy Premier Derrick Burgess said Mr Thomas knew how to talk and successfully predicted the problems drugs would have on our community.