Conservative candidate wins Southend West by-election following killing of Sir David Amess

Conservative candidate Anna Firth has won the Southend West by-election triggered by the killing of Sir David Amess.

Essex-born barrister Ms Firth won with 12,792 votes.

Conservative MP Sir David was fatally stabbed at a constituency surgery at Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, on 15 October.

The 69-year-old, who secured an increased majority of 14,459 in the 2019 general election, had served Southend West since 1997, and Basildon before that since 1983.

A total of nine candidates were on the by-election ballot paper.

Labour and the Liberal Democrats did not stand candidates in the contest to allow the Conservatives a greater chance at holding the seat out of respect for Sir David.

Voter turnout was 24.03%, with the second-highest number of votes going to the Psych Movement’s candidate Jason Pilley, who received 512.

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The third most popular candidate was UKIP’s Steve Laws, who won 400 votes, followed by English Democrats candidate, Catherine Anne Blaiklock, who received 320.

Southend West has been held by the Conservatives since its creation in 1950.

Here are the full results:
• Anna Firth (Conservative) – 12,792 votes (86.1%)

• Jason Pilley (Psych Movement) – 512 votes (3.45%)

• Steve Laws (UKIP) – 400 votes (2.69%)

• Catherine Blaiklock (English Democrats) – 320 votes (2.15%)

• Jayda Fransen (Independent) – 299 votes (2.01%)

• Ben Downton (Heritage) – 236 votes (1.59%)

• Christopher Anderson (Freedom Alliance) – 161 votes (1.08%)

• Graham Moore (English Constitution Party) – 86 votes (0.58%)

‘Sir David was a truly exceptional MP’

Accepting her position as Southend West’s MP, Ms Firth paid tribute to Sir David Amess, describing him as a “great man and a great parliamentarian”.

“Tonight I pay tribute to Sir David Amess who represented this seat for more than 24 years and was a passionate advocate for Southend West,” she said.

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“Sir David was a truly exceptional MP, he was a friend to all and he had a huge impact on everyone who lives here.

“To Sir David’s family and friends, tonight will be a sad and painful day and I would like to tribute to Lady Amess and their children we are thinking of you tonight.

“I would also like to pay 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.

“It is the honour of my life to represent the people of Southend West and the place where I was born. As your member of parliament, I will work tirelessly to build on everything he achieved.

Ms Firth went on to thank the police, her family, and her campaign team for their work as well as the people of Southend West.

“Today’s vote is a clear mandate to build on Sir David’s legacy, making Southend West safe, improving local health care, supporting small businesses but most of all making the most of our new city status,” she added.

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