The Conservatives have held the Southend West constituency following a by-election contest which saw a meagre turnout of 24 per cent.
The by-election had been triggered after the 24-year serving MP, Sir David Amess, was murdered.
Anna Firth, the successful candidate for the Tories with 12,792 votes, paid tribute to her predecessor in her victory speech, calling him a “truly exceptional MP”.
Firth said: “It is the honour of my life to represent the people of Southend West and the place where I was born.
“He [Sir David] was a friend to all and had a huge impact on everyone who lives here.
“For Sir David's family and his friends... [this] will be a sad and painful day and I would like to pay tribute to Lady Amess and their children. We are thinking of you”.
Neither Labour, the Liberal Democrats nor the Green party opted to put candidates forward in the by-election, which has been held by the Conservatives ever since its inception from the 1950 general election onwards.
Firth’s closest rivals in the running were Jason Pilley of the Psychedelic Movement [512 votes] and Steve Laws from UKIP [400votes].
The PA Media News Agency reported that 1,084 ballot papers were spoilt, mainly containing messages of protest against prime minister Boris Johnson.
Johnson has come under greater pressure to quit following the partial release of civil servant Sue Gray’s report into the Downing Street ‘partygate’ scandal. In the wake of Gray’s conclusions, a total of four senior aides to the prime minister have resigned at the time of writing, with principal private secretary Martin Reynolds, director of communications Jack Doyle, chief of staff Dan Rosenfield and head of policy Munira Mirza all quitting.
A junior aide, policy adviser Elena Narozanski, also left her role on Friday.
However, Firth said in an interview with the BBC that the prime minister’s conduct had not been the major concern among constituents during her campaign.
“This [partygate] isn't the number one issue on the doorsteps and it isn't my number one focus,” Firth said.
“I have got to get my feet under the table and work out how I can best deliver for people here. It's way above my pay grade as the newest MP, literally hours old, to be speculating about what's happening at the top of the Conservative party.”
Firth said that some of the concerns raised by voters ahead of the by-election were “night flights, knife crime, litter” and “all sorts of local issues”.
Photo by Element5 Digital on Unsplash
