City status granted to Southend in honour of Sir David.

He appeared to be a lovely man who did his best for his constituents. Animal welfare was on his agenda too, amongst many other worthy causes.

Well done to the Queen for agreeing to the status of Southend being elevated. I’m all for it. ?

Southend a city? Yes, why not? I've just googled to find out if a city mst have a cathedral and the answer is 'no'. A common misconception apparently.

Btw I think it's great that we refer to our PM as Boris, even if it does make him sound cuddly. Wasn't Mrs Merkel referred to as 'Mutti'? That's quite cuddly, too.

He was involved in so many causes. This is one that many outside parliament were not aware of.

www.europeantimes.news/2021/10/video-the-british-committee-for-iran-freedom-statement-following-the-passing-of-its-co-chairman-sir-david-amess/

I really cannot see what is 'disrespectful' in ,my comment aboutnoticing the difference in mask wearing on the different sides of the HoC.

They were shown on Tv News and it this difference in that was very moticeable and I was genuinely rather puzzled.

Why, or why are people so quick to take offence?

Just not the time to make your post mainly about mask wearing. The day was about the loss of a good man, not covid precautions.

Yes it is a fitting gesture

What a wonderful gesture from HM the Queen in tribute to such an exemplary MP. To announce this so quickly must mean a great deal to the grieving family of Sir David Amess, make them very proud, and hopefully this will be some small comfort for them all right now.

I too am a Southend resident and I am appalled by this dreadful outrage against a man trying to help others. However, calling Southend a city is just a nice but meaningless gesture. Southend has non of the amenities or attractions of a an established city , so will be one in name only.

I agree 100% with you on everything Merylstreep. I also shed a tear when it was announced and as you say all the tributes were amazing even enjoyed James Duddridge (my mp) Sir David was the mp in the area for an organisation that I am involved with and attended everything he could physically do so. He was such a lovely man.

Sorry to sound a slightly discordant note. I believe that some extra funding goes with city status. and that some 'winners' were to be announced soon.

I realise that Sir David Amess has campaigned for city status for Southend over a long period, nevertheless, in fairness to other hopeful applicants I think the process should have run its proper course. As it is, the award does have a touch of knee jerk reaction as others have said.

Seems a shame he had to have died for it to happen. Feel it is a bit inappropriate at this time..

Agree with you about using "Boris" instead of PM. Did we used to say, David, Tony etc...? He is the antithesis of cuddly.

Agree Franbern.we are in a pandemic of EPIC proportions!!

Agree - Boris is the antithesis of "cuddly". My 70-year-old teddy bear is cuddly and he is altogether too nice to be compared to Boris.

I am pleased that Southend is to be made a city! Actually, we probably could do with a few more of them as I believe this status does quite a bit of good for communities and commerce. I live near Bournemouth, which has been turned down several times, despite being at the centre of a large conurbation and with generally all the amenities etc one would expect to find in a city. After all, there are lots of smaller places that have only qualified for city status as they have a cathedral, which is a rather outdated way of deciding now, I think.

Sir David Amess was my MP. He was not politically aligned with me, but was a good man who cared about his family, friends and community. I vehemently disagreed with some of the things he voted on, but now is not th time to air those views.

I am not sure more funding will come with our new City status which is a shame as Southend High street and close surrounding areas desperately need regeneration.

My sympathy and condolences go to his family and friends

Thanks Franbern, I did wonder what the advantage of having city status was. I always understood that to be a city there has to be a cathedral. Obviously not anymore.

Franbern

I really cannot see what is 'disrespectful' in ,my comment aboutnoticing the difference in mask wearing on the different sides of the HoC.

They were shown on Tv News and it this difference in that was very moticeable and I was genuinely rather puzzled.

Why, or why are people so quick to take offence?

I think only one person has taken offence. For me, I will not be telling you what you can or cannot post.

I agree, a fitting tribute for an M.P. who worked tirelessly and gave his life for his constituents, whatever their colour, creed or political leanings. Setting a good example to us all.

I’m not an Essex girl but I lived in Southend for over 30 years. It is a vibrant town with a lot of lovely people. I am sure that it is just as deserving of being a city as those already honoured. I believe the financial advantages are minimal and that is mainly the prestige that the title bestows.

It is a fitting tribute. He has campaigned a long time for it. Wonderful news

Cossy
Have you not seen the plans for the Queensway regeneration program?

www.google.co.uk/search?q=The+Queensway+regeneration+programme+%2B+southend+on+sea&client=safari&hl=en-gb&sxsrf=AOaemvJAKUhl_wn8Pxw6pZN2jg-rdB9h1Q:1634647381094&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=Fb5POFEJqW2j4M%252CaUZShDcnO9Y2MM%252C_&vet=1&usg=AI4_-kQ-1HhYd8nGmqGBTj2OWr41pU6kTg&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjtou6DwNbzAhUiAmMBHUWpBgwQ9QF6BAgLEAE&biw=1121&bih=800&dpr=2#imgrc=Fb5POFEJqW2j4M

I think city status is a fitting tribute to Sir David Amess. He wasn’t my MP, so can’t speak from experience, but he came across as a thoroughly decent man - very well liked and respected among his constituents, and very committed to his work. What happened was an outrage and a tragedy. May he rest in peace.

But Mark François' was full of anger and hate- and I think he has forgotten how he said that anti-Brexiters were signing their own death warrants. He made me feel very uncomfortable .I agree, everyone, irrespective of political party made suitable and appropriate tribute to Sir David Amess, praising his every day work with constituents, but Francois's red faced vitriol was inappropriate and rather weird to be honest. Such a discordant note in an unusually respectful house.

Lizzie44

Agree - Boris is the antithesis of "cuddly". My 70-year-old teddy bear is cuddly and he is altogether too nice to be compared to Boris.

Could probably do a better job though !!