LONDON , — Southend, a coastal English resort in southeast England, was crowded Monday to pay respects to their long-serving member of Britain’s Parliament, who was fatally knifed last month as he met with his constituents.
After a funeral service at a local church, David Amess’s coffin was taken to a horse-drawn hearse and led a procession through Southend, where he represented since 1997.
As the hearse led by four black horses halted in front, people gathered outside Southend Civic Center to pay their respects. As the hearse arrived at the Civic Center, uniformed police officers bow their heads. Members of the public break into cheers.
Amess’ friend, Mark Francois (Conservative Party colleague) delivered a private ecumenical ceremony at St. Mary’s Church earlier. He praised Amess’ sense of humor as well as his tireless work for his constituents.
Francois stated, “Boy! Did David Amess honor the contract with his employer — and in his unique style.” “Regardless of the flaws of Parliament, David Amess was an embodiment of all its strengths.”
Ann Widdecombe was a former Conservative lawmaker and friend of Amess. She read a statement for his family, asking people to “set aside hate” and encouraging tolerance.
Southend was given city status as a tribute and honor to Amess. This was a campaign that Amess had been leading for many years using his intervention in the House of Commons (largely symbolic) to promote the cause.
Tuesday will see a requiem Mass at Westminster Cathedral in London, for devout Catholics, where a message of the Pope will also be shared.
Amess, aged 69, was attacked during his weekly constituency meeting at Leigh-on-Sea Church in Leigh-on-Sea. This is a Southend district, 40 miles (60 km) east of London. Multiple stab wounds were inflicted on the father-of-5. Ali Harbi Ali (25), was charged with murder in the death of Amess as part a counterterrorism investigation. He will be facing trial in the next year.
The death of Amess, five years after Jo Cox, Labour Party lawmaker and murder victim in her small-town constituency, caused shock and anxiety across Britain’s political spectrum.
Amess was knighted in 2015 by Queen Elizabeth II. He died doing what he loved most — helping Southend West residents. Parliament in Britain has direct links to its constituents. They often host open meetings or “surgeries” on Fridays to hear their concerns.
Amess was a well-respected lawmaker. He won 10 of the 10 elections since 1983, when he was elected to Parliament from Basildon.
He was not a minister in the government during his long career, and he had a reputation for being a social conservative regarding issues like abortion and capital punishment. However, he was considered to be a fixer in Parliament and a lawmaker who could create alliances across political lines.
His death raised concerns about the dangers politicians face in their role as representatives of voters. Unlike the high-security measures in Parliament, British politicians are not provided with police protection during meetings with constituents.
