Britain’s ruling Conservative Party has held on to the seat of Southend West following a by-election triggered by the killing of Sir David Amess, the former local MP.
Tory candidate Anna Firth won comfortably with 86 percent of the vote, as Labour and the Liberal Democrats, along with other mainstream opposition parties, chose not to contest the seat out of respect for the deceased MP.
Amess, a 69-year-old father of five, had served Southend West since 1997. He was brutally attacked on Oct. 15 when meeting constituents in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, and later died of multiple stab wounds to the chest.
Ali Harbi Ali, 25, a British national of Somali descent, was charged on Oct. 21 with the murder of Amess and “the preparation of terrorist acts.”
In her victory speech, Firth, a qualified barrister, vowed to “work tirelessly to build on everything” her predecessor achieved.
She paid tribute to Amess, “a passionate advocate for Southend West” who represented this seat for more than 24 years.
Following Amess’s murder, Queen Elizabeth II agreed to grant city status to Southend as a mark of respect for the veteran politician, who had been a long-time campaigner for the status.
“Sir David was a truly exceptional MP,” Firth said. “He was a friend to all and had a huge impact on everyone who lives here.”
She added: “For Sir David’s family and his friends tonight will be a sad and painful day and I would like to pay tribute to Lady Amess and their children. We are thinking of you tonight.”
Firth also paid tribute to the political parties who “marked their respect to Sir David by not contesting this by-election.”
“It is inspiring to see politicians coming together from across the political divide to respect a great man and a great parliamentarian,” she said.
The newly-elected MP expressed gratitude to the people of Southend West.
“Today’s vote is a clear mandate to build on Sir David’s legacy, making Southend safer, improving local healthcare, supporting small business, but most of all making the most of our new city status,” she said.
Amess was survived by his wife and their five children—one son and four daughters.
Ali Harbi Ali, the murder suspect, denied the charges at a hearing at the Old Bailey in December and faces a trial later this year.
