Conservative MP Sir David Amess has died after being stabbed at a surgery in his constituency, police say.
Sir David, who represented Southend West in Essex, was attacked on Friday afternoon at Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea.
A man walked into his constituency surgery and stabbed him multiple times.
The 69-year-old father-of-five had been MP for Southend West since 1997 and first entered parliament in 1983.
“A man has been arrested on suspicion murder after a man was stabbed in Leigh-on-Sea,” Essex Police said in a statement.
“We were called to an address in Eastwood Road North shortly after 12.05pm today (Friday 15 October).
“We attended and found a man injured. He was treated by emergency services but, sadly, died at the scene.
“A 25 year-old man was quickly arrested after officers arrived at the scene on suspicion of murder and a knife was recovered. He is currently in custody.
“We are not looking for anyone else in connection with this incident.”
The political establishment have been giving their tributes
Health Secretary Sajid Javid said Sir David was a “great man, a great friend, and a great MP killed while fulfilling his democratic role”.
“Let us remember him and what he did with his life.”
Grant Shapps, the transport secretary, described him as a “dedicated, thoughtful man and a true parliamentarian, who lost his life while serving the constituents who he worked relentlessly for throughout his career”.
Communities Secretary Michael Gove tweeted: “David Amess’s passing is heart-breakingly sad. Just terrible, terrible news.
“He was a good and gentle man, he showed charity and compassion to all, his every word and act were marked by kindness. My heart goes out to his family.”
Chancellor Rishi Sunak wrote on Twitter: “The worst aspect of violence is its inhumanity. It steals joy from the world and can take from us that which we love the most.
“Today it took a father, a husband, and a respected colleague. All my thoughts and prayers are with Sir David’s loved ones.”
Lord Pickles, a former Conservative minister, told Sky News his Tory colleague was a “great family man, somebody who was very open and very good company as a fellow member of the House of Commons”.
“He was enormously good company. He cared passionately about a number of issues, in particular animal welfare, and he was somebody who really knew how the system operated,” he said.
“Some people choose a path of being a minister, but David knew how to operate on the floor of the House of Commons to get things done.”
Conservative MP Tracey Crouch said she was “heartbroken” at Sir David’s death.
“I could write reams on how Sir David was one of the kindest, most compassionate, well liked colleagues in Parliament. But I can’t. I feel sick. I am lost,” she wrote on Twitter.
“Rest in Peace. A little light went out in parliament today. We will miss you.”
Carrie Johnson, Prime Minister’s Boris Johnson’s wife, tweeted: “Absolutely devastating news about Sir David Amess.
“He was hugely kind and good. An enormous animal lover and a true gent. This is so completely unjust. Thoughts are with his wife and their children.”
Brendan Cox, widower of the late Labour MP Jo Cox, who was murdered in an attack in 2016, said Sir David’s killing “brings everything back”.
The pain, the loss, but also how much love the public gave us following the loss of Jo. I hope we can do the same for David now,” he said.
Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s first minister said: “Elected representatives from across the political spectrum will be united in sadness and shock today.
“In a democracy, politicians must be accessible and open to scrutiny, but no-one deserves to have their life taken while working for and representing their constituents.”
Mark Drakeford, first minister of Wales, described it as a “truly despicable and horrifying act”.
Sir Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats said Sir David’s murder was “tragic and horrible news”.
“My thoughts are with David’s wife and children, the wider family, friends and David’s community,” he wrote on Twitter.
“A truly terrible day for British politics but most importantly of all our prayers are with all the people who loved David.”
SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford said the MP’s death was “utterly devastating”.
“Sir David was a thoroughly decent man, who was well liked across parties and the House of Commons,” Mr Blackford said.
“All of us are appalled at this barbaric attack, which was as senseless as it was cowardly. He was murdered while simply doing his job.”
Thus a man who receives so much outpouring of sentiment should have a voting record that suggests a kind and considerate person. Alas this does not appear to be the case.
How Sir David Amess voted on Welfare and BenefitsÂ
- Almost always voted for reducing housing benefit for social tenants deemed to have excess bedrooms (which Labour describe as the “bedroom tax”) Show votes14 votes for, 0 votes against, 4 absences, between 2012–2018.
- Generally voted against raising welfare benefits at least in line with prices Show votes0 votes for, 2 votes against, 3 absences, in 2013.
- Almost always voted for making local councils responsible for helping those in financial need afford their council tax and reducing the amount spent on such support Show votes3 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, in 2012.
- Almost always voted against paying higher benefits over longer periods for those unable to work due to illness or disability Show votes0 votes for, 13 votes against, 2 absences, between 2011–2016.
- Almost always voted against spending public money to create guaranteed jobs for young people who have spent a long time unemployed Show votes0 votes for, 8 votes against, 1 absence, between 2011–2014.
- Almost always voted for a reduction in spending on welfare benefits Show votes43 votes for, 0 votes against, 11 absences, between 2012–2016.
How Sir David Amess voted on TransportÂ
- Generally voted against a publicly owned railway system Show votes0 votes for, 3 votes against, 1 absence, between 2014–2016.
- Generally voted for higher taxes on plane tickets Show votes6 votes for, 0 votes against, 5 absences, between 2013–2017.
- Voted a mixture of for and against lower taxes on fuel for motor vehicles Show votes4 votes for, 5 votes against, 7 absences, between 2010–2013.
- Almost always voted against greater public control of bus services Show votes1 vote for, 2 votes against, in 2016.
- Consistently voted against slowing the rise in rail fares Show votes0 votes for, 5 votes against, in 2013.
How Sir David Amess voted on Environmental IssuesÂ
- Generally voted against culling badgers to tackle bovine tuberculosis Show votes0 votes for, 2 votes against, 2 absences, between 2013–2014. Most current Conservative MPs generally voted for (4 votes, between 2012–2014).
- Generally voted for higher taxes on plane tickets Show votes6 votes for, 0 votes against, 5 absences, between 2013–2017.
- Generally voted against measures to prevent climate change Show votes13 votes for, 18 votes against, 5 absences, between 2000–2020.
- Voted for new high speed rail infrastructureShow votes1 vote for, 0 votes against, 7 absences, between 2014–2019. Most current Conservative MPs generally voted for (9 votes, between 2013–2019).
- Voted a mixture of for and against financial incentives for low carbon emission electricity generation methods Show votes2 votes for, 3 votes against, 1 absence, between 2011–2018. Most current Conservative MPs generally voted against (11 votes, between 2011–2018).
- Voted a mixture of for and against lower taxes on fuel for motor vehicles Show votes4 votes for, 5 votes against, 7 absences, between 2010–2013.
- Voted a mixture of for and against greater regulation of hydraulic fracturing (fracking) to extract shale gas Show votes2 votes for, 2 votes against, in 2015.
- Consistently voted for selling England’s state owned forests Show votes2 votes for, 0 votes against, in 2011.
How Sir David Amess voted on Miscellaneous TopicsÂ
- Generally voted for the policies included in the 2010 Conservative – Liberal Democrat Coalition Agreement Show votes45 votes for, 10 votes against, 26 absences, between 2010–2015.
- Consistently voted for allowing national security sensitive evidence to be put before courts in secret sessions Show votes7 votes for, 0 votes against, between 2012–2013.
- Generally voted against restrictions on fees charged to tenants by letting agents Show votes0 votes for, 4 votes against, 2 absences, between 2014–2018.
- Almost always voted for limits on success fees paid to lawyers in no-win no fee cases Show votes5 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, between 2011–2013.
- Consistently voted for capping civil service redundancy payments Show votes6 votes for, 0 votes against, between 2010–2020.
- Generally voted against Labour’s anti-terrorism laws Show votes5 votes for, 49 votes against, 16 absences, between 2001–2010.
- Voted a mixture of for and against greater regulation of gambling Show votes5 votes for, 6 votes against, 4 absences, between 2005–2014. Most current Conservative MPs generally voted against (16 votes, between 2004–2014).
- Generally voted for a statutory register of lobbyists Show votes3 votes for, 2 votes against, in 2013.
- Generally voted for restricting the scope of legal aid Show votes10 votes for, 1 vote against, 1 absence, between 2011–2014.
- Almost always voted against requiring pub companies to offer pub landlords rent-only leases Show votes0 votes for, 3 votes against, 1 absence, between 2013–2016.
- Generally voted for the privatisation of Royal Mail Show votes3 votes for, 0 votes against, 2 absences, between 2009–2011.
How Sir David Amess voted on Business and the EconomyÂ
- Generally voted against stronger tax incentives for companies to invest in assets Show votes0 votes for, 7 votes against, 7 absences, between 2010–2014. Most current Conservative MPs voted a mixture of for and against (18 votes, between 2010–2015).
- Almost always voted for reducing the rate of corporation tax Show votes20 votes for, 1 vote against, 5 absences, between 2010–2016.
- Voted a mixture of for and against measures to reduce tax avoidance Show votes3 votes for, 6 votes against, 6 absences, between 2013–2020.
- Voted for new high speed rail infrastructre Show votes1 vote for, 0 votes against, 7 absences, between 2014–2019. Most current Conservative MPs generally voted for (9 votes, between 2013–2019).
How Sir David Amess voted on HousingÂ
- Consistently voted for phasing out secure tenancies for life Show votes5 votes for, 0 votes against, between 2015–2016.
- Consistently voted for charging a market rent to high earners renting a council home Show votes5 votes for, 0 votes against, between 2015–2016.
How Sir David Amess voted on Social IssuesÂ
- Generally voted against laws to promote equality and human rights Show votes2 votes for, 13 votes against, 2 absences, between 2009–2019.
- Almost always voted against equal gay rights Show votes1 vote for, 22 votes against, 6 absences, between 1999–2019. Most current Conservative MPs voted a mixture of for and against (33 votes, between 1998–2019).
- Consistently voted against allowing terminally ill people to be given assistance to end their life Show votes0 votes for, 2 votes against, between 1997–2015.
- Almost always voted against allowing marriage between two people of same sex Show votes1 vote for, 6 votes against, 1 absence, between 2004–2019. Most current Conservative MPs voted a mixture of for and against (13 votes, between 2004–2019).
- Voted a mixture of for and against smoking bans Show votes4 votes for, 2 votes against, 6 absences, between 2002–2015.
- Consistently voted for the hunting ban Show votes7 votes for, 0 votes against, between 2003–2004. Most current Conservative MPs almost always voted against (7 votes, between 2002–2004).
How Sir David Amess voted on Foreign Policy and DefenceÂ
- Almost always voted for use of UK military forces in combat operations overseasShow votes8 votes for, 3 votes against, between 2002–2015.
- Generally voted against UK membership of the EU Show votes1 vote for, 15 votes against, 8 absences, between 2017–2019.
- Generally voted against more EU integration Show votes31 votes for, 79 votes against, 41 absences, between 2009–2020.
- Consistently voted for military action against ISIL (Daesh)Show votes3 votes for, 0 votes against, between 2014–2015.
- Generally voted for a referendum on the UK’s membership of the EU Show votes9 votes for, 3 votes against, 1 absence, between 2008–2016.
- Almost always voted against strengthening the Military Covenant Show votes1 vote for, 3 votes against, between 2010–2012.
- Consistently voted for replacing Trident with a new nuclear weapons system Show votes7 votes for, 0 votes against, between 2007–2016.
- Generally voted for investigations into the Iraq war Show votes12 votes for, 1 vote against, 2 absences, between 2003–2016.
- Consistently voted for the Iraq war Show votes5 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, between 2002–2003.
- Generally voted against a right to remain for EU nationals already in living in the UK Show votes1 vote for, 14 votes against, 7 absences, between 2016–2020.
How Sir David Amess voted on HealthÂ
- Consistently voted for reforming the NHS so GPs buy services on behalf of their patients Show votes8 votes for, 0 votes against, between 2011–2019.
- Almost always voted against introducing foundation hospitals Show votes0 votes for, 4 votes against, 1 absence, in 2003.
- Voted a mixture of for and against smoking bans Show votes4 votes for, 2 votes against, 6 absences, between 2002–2015.
- Consistently voted against allowing terminally ill people to be given assistance to end their life Show votes0 votes for, 2 votes against, between 1997–2015.
- Consistently voted against restricting the provision of services to private patients by the NHS Show votes0 votes for, 7 votes against, between 2011–2012.
How Sir David Amess voted on Taxation and EmploymentÂ
- Generally voted for higher taxes on alcoholic drinks Show votes9 votes for, 4 votes against, 9 absences, between 2010–2017.
- Almost always voted for allowing employees to exchange some employment rights for shares in the company they work for Show votes4 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, between 2012–2013.
- Generally voted for higher taxes on plane tickets Show votes6 votes for, 0 votes against, 5 absences, between 2013–2017.
- Voted for automatic enrolment in occupational pensions Show votes1 vote for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, in 2010.
- Voted a mixture of for and against higher taxes on banks Show votes6 votes for, 9 votes against, between 2011–2018. Most current Conservative MPs generally voted against (20 votes, between 2011–2018).
- Almost always voted for reducing capital gains tax Show votes7 votes for, 0 votes against, 2 absences, between 2010–2016.
- Consistently voted for more restrictive regulation of trade union activity Show votes11 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, between 2008–2017.
- Generally voted for increasing the rate of VAT Show votes14 votes for, 5 votes against, 8 absences, between 2010–2019.
- Generally voted against an annual tax on the value of expensive homes (popularly known as a mansion tax) Show votes0 votes for, 2 votes against, 2 absences, in 2013.
- Almost always voted for raising the threshold at which people start to pay income tax Show votes21 votes for, 0 votes against, 8 absences, between 2011–2018.
- Consistently voted against increasing the tax rate applied to income over £150,000 Show votes0 votes for, 9 votes against, 3 absences, between 2012–2015.
- Voted a mixture of for and against lower taxes on fuel for motor vehicles Show votes4 votes for, 5 votes against, 7 absences, between 2010–2013.
- Almost always voted against a banker’s bonus tax Show votes1 vote for, 13 votes against, 4 absences, between 2011–2015.
- Generally voted for encouraging occupational pensions Show votes3 votes for, 1 vote against, 1 absence, between 2004–2011.
How Sir David Amess voted on Home AffairsÂ
- Consistently voted for merging police and fire services under Police and Crime Commissioner sShow votes3 votes for, 0 votes against, in 2016.
- Consistently voted against allowing ministers to intervene in inquests Show votes0 votes for, 4 votes against, 1 absence, between 2008–2009.
- Consistently voted for mass surveillance of people’s communications and activities Show votes3 votes for, 0 votes against, in 2016.
- Generally voted for the introduction of elected Police and Crime Commissioners Show votes5 votes for, 0 votes against, 3 absences, between 2010–2012.
- Almost always voted against introducing ID cards Show votes1 vote for, 18 votes against, 5 absences, between 2004–2006.
- Generally voted for a stricter asylum system Show votes13 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 abstention, 17 absences, between 2002–2020.
- Almost always voted for requiring the mass retention of information about communications Show votes5 votes for, 1 vote against, 2 absences, between 2009–2016.
- Almost always voted for stronger enforcement of immigration rules Show votes8 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, between 2015–2016.
How Sir David Amess voted on Constitutional ReformÂ
- Generally voted against transferring more powers to the Senedd/Welsh Parliament Show votes1 vote for, 17 votes against, 15 absences, between 2014–2020.
- Generally voted against a more proportional system for electing MPs Show votes1 vote for, 5 votes against, 1 absence, between 2010–2020.
- Consistently voted for reducing central government funding of local government Show votes8 votes for, 0 votes against, between 2010–2019.
- Generally voted against more powers for local councils Show votes11 votes for, 28 votes against, 13 absences, between 2011–2018.
- Consistently voted for local councils keeping money raised from taxes on business premises in their areas Show votes5 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, between 2012–2019.
- Generally voted against transferring more powers to the Scottish Parliament Show votes1 vote for, 17 votes against, 31 absences, between 2011–2020.
- Generally voted for an equal number of electors per parliamentary constituency Show votes8 votes for, 0 votes against, 4 absences, between 2010–2020.
- Consistently voted for greater restrictions on campaigning by third parties, such as charities, during elections Show votes12 votes for, 0 votes against, between 2013–2016.
- Consistently voted for a veto for MPs from England, Wales and Northern Ireland over laws specifically impacting their part of the UK Show votes3 votes for, 0 votes against, in 2015.
- Almost always voted against a lower voting age Show votes0 votes for, 6 votes against, 1 absence, between 2004–2016.
- Generally voted for fixed periods between parliamentary elections Show votes2 votes for, 0 votes against, 3 absences, between 2010–2014.
- Almost always voted against removing hereditary peers from the House of Lords Show votes1 vote for, 7 votes against, 3 absences, between 1999–2016.
- Almost always voted against a wholly elected House of Lords Show votes3 votes for, 11 votes against, between 2003–2016.
- Voted against a transparent Parliament Show votes0 votes for, 2 votes against, 8 absences, between 2007–2009. Most current Conservative MPs generally voted against (11 votes, between 2007–2009).
- Voted a mixture of for and against fewer MPs in the House of Commons Show votes4 votes for, 1 vote against, 4 absences, between 2010–2020. Most current Conservative MPs generally voted for (10 votes, between 2010–2020).
How Sir David Amess voted on EducationÂ
- Consistently voted for academy schools Show votes11 votes for, 0 votes against, between 2010–2016.
- Has never voted on ending financial support for some 16-19 year olds in training and further education Details0 votes for, 0 votes against, 2 absences, in 2011.
- Voted for raising England’s undergraduate tuition fee cap to £9,000 per year Show votes1 vote for, 0 votes against, in 2010.
- Voted a mixture of for and against university tuition fees Show votes4 votes for, 10 votes against, 2 absences, between 1997–2017. Most current Conservative MPs generally voted for (22 votes, between 1997–2017).
- Almost always voted for greater autonomy for schools
Of course at a time like this it is important to be circumspect but given the corporate media and the establishment fake news spewing out it is also vital that we cut through the bull****.
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