Southend WILL become a city in tribute to Sir David Amess after years-long campaign by murdered MP
SOUTHEND will become a city in lasting memory of murdered MP Sir David Amess, Boris Johnson confirmed today.
The Queen has agreed to elevate the Essex town to city status as a touching tribute to the late MP’s years-long campaign.
MPs cheered in the Commons as the PM said: “I am happy to announce that Her Majesty has agreed that Southend will be accorded the city status it so clearly deserves.”
Mr Johnson this afternoon led tributes to much-loved Sir David who was stabbed to death at his constituency surgery last Friday.
His heartbroken wife Julia and their five children had urged Brits to keep alive his memory by backing one of his many causes – including the campaign to make Southend a city.
Reflecting on his tireless efforts, the PM said: “He 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.
“Highlights of that bulging folder included a world record for playing most triangles being played at once; a group of stilt-walkers travelling non-stop from the Essex coast to Downing Street; and a visiting foreign dignitary allegedly flouting protocol by saying he liked Southend more than Cleethorpes.”
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Parliament’s agenda was wiped out this afternoon to let emotional MPs pay their respects to their slain colleague.
MPs paid a touching tribute to Sir David by leaving empty his seat in the Commons.
The gap stood out poignantly on the chamber’s rammed green benches as MPs bowed their heads in silence in honour of the killed dad-of-five.
Leading tributes the PM said: “This House has lost a steadfast servant, we have lost a dear friend and colleague and Julia and her children have lost a loving husband and devoted father.
“Nothing I or anyone else can say will lessen the pain, the grief, the anger they must feel at this darkest of times.
“We hold them in our hearts today, we mourn with them and we grieve alongside them.”
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