Murdered MP Sir David Amess’ wish that the town he represented will become a City will become a reality as Prince Charles presented letters patent to Southend Town Hall.
Southend is the 52nd city in England and the 2nd in Essex after Chelmsford.
Sir David Amess MP had long campaigned for Southend to attain city status and after his murder in October 2021 it was announced that it would be made so.
In a bittersweet ceremony Prince Charles, visiting with the Duchess of Cornwall, spoke of his previous visits to Southend, the determination of Sir David Amess and of democracy under attack. He linked the murder of the MP with the assault currently underway in Ukraine.
“What we saw in the terrible tragedy in Southend was an attack on democracy, on an open society, on freedom itself. We are seeing those same values under attack today in Ukraine in the most unconscionable way. In the stand we take here, we are in solidarity with all those who are resisting brutal aggression.”
Prince Charles
The late MP’s wife, Lady Julia Amess was presented with the freedom of the newly minted city in memory of her husband.
Conservative Councillor John Lamb said: “There you are David, you made it, well done.”