FORMER MP Baroness Angela Smith of Basildon has paid tribute to a former Southend councillor, saying he was "dedicated" to his home town.

Former councillor Alan Hurst, who was also a noted lawyer based in Hamlet Court Road, Westcliff, died aged 77 on Tuesday.

He was deputy leader of Southend Council and leader of the Southend Labour Party in the 1990s, also serving as a county councillor for five years.

Mr Hurst was renowned for his exceptional oratory in the council chamber and in court. 

Countless dignitaries, MPs and community figures have paid tribute to him including Baroness Angela Smith, who was Labour MP for Basildon from 1997. 
 

Lady Smith also served as an Essex county councillor and Labour parliamentary candidate for Southend West earlier in her political career.

Speaking of Mr Hurst, Lady Smith said: “I knew him before he was an MP and we were both elected at the same time in 1997.

“He was dedicated to Southend and a man of Southend. He was brilliant at public speeches, especially speaking at length without notes which is rare.

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“Politics and law were big parts of his life. I think he had a bit of an old style, especially in the way he spoke, and he was always smoking.”

Sir James Duddridge Conservative MP for Rochford and Southend East, said: “Alan was a pillar of the Southend Labour Party and a gentleman. He will be sadly missed by his family, the people of Essex and fellow MPs.”

Stephen George, Labour leader of Southend Council, said: “I was very sorry to hear this sad news. Alan was a close personal and family friend. My sister and I were both employed by him at his practice as his Saturday morning receptionist and we both have fond memories of our first ‘proper’ job.

“Alan was also a great local politician both here in our city and in north Essex.

"On April 21, 2016, by resolution of Southend Council, he was appointed as an Honorary Alderman which was well-deserved. Our thoughts are with his wife Hilary, and their children, at this difficult and sad time.”

Aston Line, Labour councillor for Westborough, said: “When I ran for Parliament in 2019, Alan was thoroughly impressed with our campaign and flattering in his compliments. It is a shame that he did not have the opportunity to witness Southend finally deliver its first Labour MP.”

“My thoughts are with Alan’s friends and loved ones at this difficult time.”