Sir David Amess: A look back on the successful career of our beloved Southend West MP

Known to many across south Essex and beyond, Sir Amess first became a member of Parliament in 1983.

READ MORE: Conservative MP for Southend West David Amess dies after being stabbed

The Conservative party member, who was 69, first served Basildon and represented Southend West since 1997.

He had been an active MP in Parliament, sponsoring bills including the Abortion (Amendment) Bill (1996-7), the Protection Against Cruel Tethering Act (1988) and the Warm Homes Bill, which passed into law in December 2000 as the Warm Homes and Energy Conservation Act.

With over 30 years experience in Parliament, Sir David's main interests and areas of expertise were animal welfare and pro-life issues. 

Sir David had been a huge member of the Make Southend a City campaign, with calls having previously been echoed by Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Looking back at his journey in politics, Mr Amess also published a book called Ayes & Ears: A Survivor's Guide to Westminster.

Married to wife Julia Arnold, the couple shared one son and four daughters. 

David Garston, shadow cabinet member for community safety, said: "I'm utterly lost for words, it's absolutely dreadful.

"One of my friends who is a former councillor phoned me and told me about the incident, my initial reaction was just horror.

"I have so much admiration for Sir David, he was one of the best constituency MPs in the whole country.

"I've known him since 1983, and met him when I was the mayor of Southend. 

"In 2015 I moved from Southend East to Southend West, and so he's also been my MP for the last six years.

"He has been out with us on street surgeries and door knocking, and he was very passionate the people he represented."

Sir David's greatest inspiration

ONE OF Sir David's biggest inspirations was his mother, Maud who died in 2016 at the age of 104. 

Devout Roman Catholic Maud Amess passed away at Nazareth House care home, in London Road, Southend.

Paying tribute at the time, Sir David said: “Most people think their mother is wonderful. My mother was not only wonderful, she was an inspiration to our family throughout her long life.

Remembered - Sir David's mum Maud - the woman he took great inspiration from

“If you really love someone the longer they are around the tougher it can be for those left behind. No more Christmases, no more birthdays, no more family celebrations together.”

Sir David addedM: “Our mother was the last to die, outliving all her brothers and sisters and her friends. She had a very tough upbringing, the family struggled to make ends meet and they slept three or four to a bed.

“She worked incredibly hard all her life, becoming a court dressmaker and making a wedding dress for the late Duchess of Gloucester. In the Second World War she and her family were evacuated to Essex.”

Mrs Amess later joined the Land Army, receiving her badge of honour at Downing Street at the age of 95.

After the Second World War, she married husband James and stayed home raising their two children until they were old enough for her to return to work.

Sir David said: “After all manner of jobs, she ended up as perhaps the City of London’s number one tea lady. She was known as ‘Mrs Tea’. She gave up work in her 70s to look after our ailing father.

“She was in every sense a strong woman, who did not have a lazy bone in her body and would give you her last penny. She was also a devout Roman Catholic. She loved all of her family and did so much for them all. We owe her everything and will never forget our mother, who was simply the best.

“We thank the priest, nuns and all the staff at Nazareth House for all the wonderful care which they gave her.”

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