MPs back Southend-on-Sea bid for city status to honour David Amess

Local MP who was killed on Friday mentioned campaign almost every week in parliament in recent years

Politicians from all sides of the political spectrum have joined a campaign to make Southend-on-Sea a city, in honour of the local MP Sir David Amess who was fatally stabbed on Friday.

Southend is one of several towns competing for city status as part of the Queen's platinum jubilee celebrations in 2022. Amess championed Southend's case for city designation for more than two decades, mentioning it almost every week in parliament in recent years.