Southend's city status met with 'strange mix of emotions'
The coastal town was made a city in honour of Sir David Amess who was a staunch campaigner for the cause.
The move to award Southend city status in honour of Sir David Amess has been welcomed with mixed feelings in the town.
We spoke to Ian Gilbert, leader of Southend-on-Sea Borough council shortly after the announcement to understand why.
He told us: "I think there's a strange mix of emotions for us right now. Nothing can make up for the tragic events of Friday. Nevertheless, I am proud that we have received this award."
Sir David Amess, who was murdered while holding a constituency surgery in Leigh-on-Sea on Friday, was a staunch campaigner for Southend earning city status. He used to sign off every comment, question or speech made in the House of Commons with a request that Southend be granted the title.
His efforts were realised when Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced to Parliament yesterday that Southend would be made a city. The announcement prompted reactions from leaders across different sectors in Southend and Essex.
Councillor Tony Cox, leader of the Southend Conservative Group paid an emotional tribute to Sir David after the announcement: "To hear the announcement today that Southend-on-Sea will be granted city status was an emotional but incredible moment.
"Sir David, your legacy will forever live on in Southend-on-Sea."
"I cannot thank Her Majesty the Queen and the Prime Minister enough for granting that legacy, but what truly breaks my heart is that he is not around to see it."
"I am sure he will be looking down on us now saying, 'my work in Southend is now complete'."
Ron Martin, chairman of Southend United Football Club, says: "Sir David worked tirelessly over many, many years for the town to be granted city status, and wonderful that his efforts have been recognised. A truly fitting tribute and lasting legacy."
The Bishop of Chelmsford, The Rt Revd Dr Guli Francis-Dehqani expressed similar sentiments: "The Queen's decision to award Southend city status, is a fitting tribute to Sir David Amess. Everyone knows the passion and determination for which he worked for this to happen. It was a campaign that was symbolic of his love for Southend and its people, whom he served with such great dedication."
Vicky Ford, the Conservative MP for Chelmsford, tweeted: “At this time of great sadness it is utterly fitting that Southend will a become a City.
“Greetings from Chelmsford, Essex’s other City.”
Councillor Gilbert told us he last met Sir David in September to discuss their bid as part of the Queen's Jubilee city status competition. He said: "It's a massive shame that he's not here to witness this great moment for our town because he really did put enormous energy and passion into this. He would have been really pleased today."
As for the actual award itself, he believes it will undoubtedly boost the local economy and enhance the town's image.
"It does help raise the profile of the town, encourage investment ,encourage more visitors and more generally boost prosperity of the town in the long run."
The history of city status:
Throughout history, many cities have been deemed as such due to having a cathedral, but this is not necessarily a requirement.
It is the monarch who has the ultimate power to bestow city status on a place – with the decision usually taken on the advice of ministers.
According to the Commons Library, Birmingham was the first town without a cathedral to become a city, doing so in 1889.
Birmingham is officially the UK’s largest city, with a population at the 2011 census of 1.1 million.
London is not officially a city, but within the boundary of the Greater London area are two cities: the City of London (the third smallest city in the UK by population size) and the City of Westminster.
Based on the same census, St David’s in Pembrokeshire is the UK’s smallest city, with a population of just under 1,400.
City status has, in more recent times, been awarded through a series of competitive bids, managed by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, the UK Parliament website states.
Apart from having a cathedral, city status in the UK can be associated with an area having a university, a particular form of local government, or a large population, the Commons Library explains.