Barrister Anna Firth wins Southend West in by-election held after her Tory predecessor David Amess was brutally murdered at constituency surgery
- Anna Firth received 86 per cent of the vote in the Southend West by-election
- Labour and the Liberal Democrats decided not to contest the vote
- She recognised it was a ‘sad and painful day’ for the family of Sir David Amess
Tory barrister Anna Firth has won the Southend West by-election held to select a successor to Sir David Amess, who was murdered last year.
The newly-elected MP declared in her victory speech she will ‘work tirelessly to build on everything’ her predecessor achieved.
Only 24 per cent of the electorate turned out after the major rival parties including Labour and the Liberal Democrats decided not to contest the poll.
Tory barrister Anna Firth (pictured after her victory) has won the Southend West by-election held to select a successor to Sir David Amess, who was murdered last year
Sir David, 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
Firth received 12,792 votes, 86 per cent of the total, with the Psychedelic Movement in second place with 3.5 per cent, followed by UKIP on 2.7 per cent.
She said after her victory: ‘It is the honour of my life to represent the people of Southend West and the place where I was born.’
The lawyer praised the other parties for not standing and recognised it was a ‘sad and painful day’ for Sir David’s family.
PA news agency witnessed a number of spoilt ballots containing messages rallying against Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who is embroiled in a partygate controversy around potential lockdown breaches in Downing Street.
The newly-elected MP declared in her victory speech she will ‘work tirelessly to build on everything’ her predecessor achieved
One ballot seen at the Southend Leisure & Tennis Centre where the count is taking place said ‘Boris, do a Brexit – get out’
PA news agency witnessed a number of spoilt ballots containing messages rallying against Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Pictured: the first ballot boxes arrive at the count
One ballot seen at the Southend Leisure & Tennis Centre where the count is taking place said ‘Boris, do a Brexit – get out’, while another voter scrawled ‘Get Boris out’.
Sir David, 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.
He was killed at Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex on October 15 during a constituency surgery.
Ballot papers are verified at Southend Leisure & Tennis Centre for the Southend West by-election
Southend West has been held by the Conservatives since its creation in 1950.
Ali Harbi Ali is accused of murdering Sir David.
The 25-year-old is also charged with preparing acts of terrorism between May 1 2019 and September 28 last year.
Ali denied the charges at a hearing at the Old Bailey in December and faces a trial later this year.
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