Southend to be made a city in tribute to murdered MP David Amess
The Prime Minister has confirmed it in Westminster as tributes were paid to the Essex MP
Last updated 18th Oct 2021
Southend is to be granted City status in tribute to murdered MP Sir David Amies.
The Prime Minister has made the announcement in the House of Commons this afternoon (18 October).
"I am happy to announce that Southend will be accorded the city status it so clearly deserves."
MPs on both sides of the House erupted into applause and cheers as Boris Johnson delivered the announcement.
The Prime Minister said the Queen had agreed to the move following the years-long campaign by Sir David Amess, who was murdered during a surgery for his constituents on Friday.
Mr Johnson said Sir David was a “seasoned campaigner of verve and grit” who “never once witnessed any achievement by any resident of Southend that could not somehow be cited in his bid to secure city status for that distinguished town”.
“As it is only a short time since Sir David last put that very case to me in this chamber, I am happy to announce that Her Majesty has agreed that Southend will be accorded the city status it so clearly deserves.”
Southend was one of several towns competing for city status as part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in 2022, with Sir David having pushed for the recognition for at least two decades.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said the city status for the seaside town is a “fitting tribute to Sir David’s hard work”, as MPs across the political spectrum paid tribute in a packed Commons chamber.
Sir David told us that Southend 'ticks all the right boxes'
Speaking to Greatest Hits Radio just a few weeks ago at the official launch of the bid for city status Sir David said:
"Southend ticks all the right boxes, with the right population, we have a wonderful range of services, we have the longest pier in the world, the best fish and chips and shellfish. Yes, Southend should already be a city!"
The announcement has been met with mixed emotions in Southend. The leader of Southend Borough Council, Ian Gilbert tweeted:
"Making Southend a City is absolutely without question what Sir David would have wanted, as has been made clear by his family and closest colleagues. I’m feeling an odd mixture of delight and grief at today’s announcement, but we will press on in Sir David’s memory."
Sir David Amess was stabbed to death at a constituency meeting in Leigh-on-Sea on Friday (15 October). He leaves behind his wife, Lady Julia, and their five children.