Sir David Amess: Southend city bid would be a 'fitting tribute' to stabbed MP - BBC News

Making Southend a city would be the "perfect tribute" to Sir David Amess, colleagues said.

Sir David, who represented the Southend West constituency, was stabbed as he held a regular Friday meeting with constituents in Leigh-on-Sea.

He had championed Southend's bid for city status as part of The Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations in 2022.

Home Secretary Priti Patel described him as Mr Southend and said his passion for the town warmed hearts.

"He was Mr Southend, he was Mr Essex, he would always put Southend front and centre of his work and that was David through and through.".

"I think it would be a very fitting tribute to Sir David, particularly as it was something he had campaigned for, for a long time," Conservative councillor for Southend Borough Council James Courtenay said:.

Liberal Democrat Carole Mulroney, council member for tourism and culture, told the BBC: "Sir David was a figurehead, he was incredibly passionate about it.

Sir David said at the time of the bid launch: "Southend is unique and city status would provide long overdue recognition of what we have to offer.

Southend Borough Council is currently led by a coalition of Labour, Liberal Democrat and Independent councillors - while the Conservatives have the most councillors.

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