MP was a ‘symbol of democracy at its best’
GRAHAM STUART PAYS TRIBUTE TO DAVID AMESS
GRAHAM Stuart has said David Amess was a “symbol of democracy at its best” following the killing of the Conservative MP on Friday, October 15.
The Beverley and Holderness Conservative MP said the country had been “rocked” by Sir David’s “senseless” killing at a surgery in his Southend West constituency.
Mr Stuart added he condemned “hatefilled zealots” who thought their beliefs trumped the opinions of voters.
The MP’S comments come as tributes were paid in the House of Commons.
Police have until Friday to question Ali Harbi Ali, who is being held under counter-terrorism laws in connection with Sir David’s death.
Scotland Yard has said their investigations had uncovered a “potential motivation” of Islamic extremism, but the reason why Sir David was specifically targeted remains unclear. The killing has led to calls for a new “David’s Law” to crack down on the abuse of public figures on social media, including by ending online anonymity.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has also announced Southend will be awarded city status in honour of the late MP.
Justice Secretary Dominic Raab has said it was “likely” MPS would be offered security in the wake of the killing.
Mr Stuart said everyone should be “inspired” by Sir David’s conduct in public life. The MP said: “It’s not just the whole of Parliament but the whole country which have been rocked by Sir David’s senseless murder. “After all, the liberties of Parliament are the liberties of the people.
“Elected representatives should be replaced when the people decide, not by hate-filled zealots who think their ideology trumps ordinary people’s preferences and opinions.
“David Amess was a symbol of democracy at its best. He was not interested in personal aggrandisement, profit or position, he was passionately interested in making lives better.
“That is why his enthusiasm for his constituency never dimmed and why he never stopped working or campaigning for the improvements he believed in.
“We are all the less for his loss, but we can all be inspired by his example and do our bit to be kinder, more caring and more active in strengthening our local communities and the country as a whole.”