Pressure growing to fulfil his wish to make beloved Southend a city
MPs from across the political divide last night united behind bestowing Southend-on-Sea with city status in honour of Sir David Amess.
Sir David campaigned passionately for the Essex town to become a city for 21 years as a proud local MP. Now, following his tragic death, colleagues are demanding his memory be honoured by granting Southend city status in a ‘fitting memorial’ to the 69-year-old.
Tory MP Chris Skidmore said it was Sir David’s ‘one great ambition left in Parliament’ to see his beloved town become a city, and while it became a running joke between the pair, he was in no doubt that Sir David was ‘passionately serious’.
He added: ‘Not only did we exchange many letters, had meetings, every time I saw him in the tea room or passed him in the corridor he would shout out, “Don’t forget to make Southend a city.” No opportunity was ever missed. So with the jubilee next year, let’s give Southend city status and see Sir David’s final ambition realised. Tragically, he will never see that moment happen, but it would be a fitting memorial to a man who dedicated his life, and ultimately laid it down for his community.’
Since 2000, Sir David relentlessly pushed for the Essex town to be shown its dues, most recently arguing it would help attract investment post-Brexit and Covid. At this year’s Westminster Dog of the Year contest, Sir David entered his French bulldog Vivienne. Asked why she should win, he said: ‘Because she is an enthusiastic supporter of Southend becoming a city.’
Replying to a tweet suggesting Southend be given city status, Labour MP Charlotte Nichols said: ‘Absolutely. I can’t think of a better way to honour his memory.’