Southend West by-election: What do locals want from a new MP?
The election takes place this Thursday
Ahead of the Southend West by-election, taking place on Thursday 3rd February, we've been finding out what constituents in the area want from their new MP.
The new MP will be taking over the seat of Sir David Amess, who was killed whilst at his constituency surgery at Belfairs Methodist Church Hall in October last year.
He'd been the local MP since 1997.
Gina, a student, who lives in Westcliff wants: "Someone who listens to the people, who actually takes on board what our need are... who's actually going to do what they say they're going to do - none of these false promises."
Ellie, who works on Leigh Broadway says the new MP needs to be environmentally conscious: "Someone that makes sense, that's really it. Someone that cares about everything that's going on with the planet."
Gemma owns a shop in Leigh and agrees. She wants: "Somebody who cares about the environment and who cares about our streets - I seem to be seeing lots more littler about so I'd like improved bins and services for the public. I'd also love to see trees planted along the Broadway."
A window cleaner, who didn't want to be named, wanted someone to fill Sir David Amess' shoes: "The same as the last MP, please! He was very kind and giving... he was a lovely chap, that's what we require, exactly the same."
This was echoed by a shop owner along Leigh Broadway: "I want someone to uphold what David Amess did, and to be as approachable as him. Whatever your issue was, you could get in touch with him and he'd respond."
Some people mentioned national issues influenced the way they felt about the candidates, with this constituent referring to the alleged Downing Street parties:
"I want honesty, I think - after the way the Conservatives are behaving at the moment."
For a full list of candidates running in the by-election, click here.