‘More kindness needed during political debate’
LIKE my colleagues from across the nation, and from across the political spectrum, I returned to Westminster on Monday following the fatal stabbing of the Member of Parliament for Southend West, Sir David Amess.
The mood was undeniably bleak. This is the second time in five years that an MP has been killed in the course of carrying out a constituency surgery.
For most of us, including me, this is the most rewarding part of the job. Speaking directly to our constituents in need and trying – with the help of our excellent teams of staff – to put things right for them.
David, who had served in Parliament for nearly four decades, was particularly renowned for his commitment to his constituents.
In a show of unity, the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition together with the Speaker and Home Secretary - had visited Southend together at the weekend to lay wreaths by the Methodist Church where David was killed.
The regular business planned for Monday’s sitting of the House of Commons was scrapped.
Instead, tributes were paid to David, and during the two hours of debate the mood was lightened considerably by tales of his legendary sense of humour as well as countless examples of his dedication to his constituents.
The Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, opened the debate and not only paid a beautifully warm tribute to David but also announced that Her Majesty had agreed to make Southend-on-sea a city – honouring one of David’s longest-standing and most frequently mentioned campaigns.
Sir Keir Starmer also gave a very heartfelt speech and I would like to thank him in particular for his gesture of solidarity across the Chamber.
Indeed, from all political parties there were moving and kind tributes from David’s many friends across the House of Commons, showing Parliament at its best.
We heard from many of David’s closest friends, his fellow Essex MPS, and some of Parliament’s longest standing Members, including some of those who were first elected at the same time as David in 1983.
As well as hearing some very funny stories – such as when, during a Parliamentary trip to the Vatican, he pulled a cough sweet out of his pocket at the wrong moment, only for it to be blessed by the Pope – we remembered his unparalleled ability to set everyone at ease, to work on a cross-party basis, and to achieve things as a backbencher.
Naturally all of my thoughts are with David’s widow, Julia, and their five children. What they must be going through is unimaginable.
I hope they can take some comfort from the words of the newest Labour MP, Kim Leadbeater, sister of the murdered Jo Cox, who gave a very poignant and brave speech extending love, support and solidarity from her family to theirs.
Clearly these cases raise questions about the security of MPS and other public servants.
I will of course listen to police advice and consider making some changes, but I am determined to maintain the important bond of accessibility between me and the people of Newcastle. All MPS need to be able to hear directly from the public, both on specific local issues and for general feedback as to how the Government is performing.
On Sunday I came out to support the Castle Artisan Market and chat to residents in just the same way as I have done previously, and I want to continue to be able to eat, drink, shop and go out across the borough to meet constituents and support public events.
We must not be cowed by terrorism, but I also recognise that the aggressive tenor of so much political debate in recent years, and the abuse and trolling on social media – particularly of women – may put people off entering public service, whether as MPS, councillors, magistrates or in other voluntary roles.
We need more kindness in our political discourse, and more willingness to respect that a difference of political opinion does not mean that an opponent is immoral or evil.
In the words of the Prime Minister, our country and our politics needs people like Sir David - dedicated, passionate, firm in his beliefs but never anything less than respectful for those who thought differently. Those are the values he brought to a lifetime of public service.