Sir David Amess, Conservative MP for Southend West, was stabbed as he met constituents at a regular surgery this lunchtime. Sir Ed Davey said: “A truly terrible day for British politics but most importantly of all our prayers are with all the people who loved David.”
Sending my thoughts and prayers to David Amess, his family and friends. Such shocking and terrible news.
— Ed Davey (@EdwardJDavey) October 15, 2021
It is getting ever scarier to be in the public eye. MPs, councillors too, usually have no protection. But it would change the way that elected representatives work if we need to throw a shield around ourselves. However, this event will inevitably lead to a debate on what level of protection our representatives need.
This is tragic and horrible news. My thoughts are with David’s wife and children, the wider family, friends and David’s community. A truly terrible day for British politics but most importantly of all our prayers are with all the people who loved David. https://t.co/qPYsE085zy
— Ed Davey (@EdwardJDavey) October 15, 2021
I am devastated to now hear Sir David Amess has died. My thoughts and condolences with his family and friends. https://t.co/w74JHN7nn8
— Layla Moran 🔶🕊️ (@LaylaMoran) October 15, 2021
David Amess was funny, generous and kind, a lovely person to talk to who cared and worked hard for his community. His death is an appalling outrage. Praying for those closest to him.. and for all who serve through politics and who will be deeply affected by this tragedy.
— Tim Farron (@timfarron) October 15, 2021
Deeply shocked and saddened by the news about David Amess MP. My thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones at this time.
— Munira Wilson MP 🇺🇦 (@munirawilson) October 15, 2021
I also found this picture of me with David and @Offord4Hendon back in 2019 in Tirana. David was always a joy to be with and so many of us will miss him. pic.twitter.com/d04RfwvNJH
— Mark Williams (@mark4ceredigion) October 15, 2021
Awful news coming out of Southend this afternoon. My thoughts are with David Amess’ family, friends and staff.
— Sarah Green MP 🔶 (@SarahGreenLD) October 15, 2021
Dreadful news about Sir David Amess, my condolences, thoughts & prayers with his family, friends & colleagues.
Another MP brutally murdered meeting their constituents and doing their important role of serving local people. Another attack on that role and on our democracy. Awful.
— Greg Mulholland 📉 (@GregMulholland1) October 15, 2021
Very sad news about Sir David Amess MP.
My sincere condolences to his family.
He was a great advocate for his constituents. Not a day in Parliament went by without him referring to his unrelenting campaign to secure city status for Southend.
— Tom Brake (@thomasbrake) October 15, 2021
Deeply shocked to hear the awful news of the death of my friend David Amess. David was a warm and funny man, dedicated to his community. Parliament will be the poorer for his loss. My condolences to his family and friends.
— Alistair Carmichael MP (@amcarmichaelMP) October 15, 2021
No words. Awful news. My thoughts are with David's family, friends and the first responders in attendance. https://t.co/OKkSAzPpQ1
— Wendy Chamberlain MP (@wendychambLD) October 15, 2021
I’m shocked & truly saddened at this horrific news. I didn’t know David well, but we had chatted a few times in the parliamentary corridors about post-Grenfell fire safety issues, on which we both campaigned. He was friendly & funny. This is a senseless loss of life.
— Daisy Cooper MP 🔶 (@libdemdaisy) October 15, 2021
I am horrified to hear the news of this devastating attack. My thoughts are with David Amess MP and his family today. Constituency surgeries should not be places of danger. They are about helping people. https://t.co/PKPP12iifM
— Wera Hobhouse MP 🔶 🇺🇦 (@Wera_Hobhouse) October 15, 2021
I am deeply shocked and upset at the terrible news about Sir David Amess. My thoughts and all good wishes are with his loved ones.
— Christine Jardine 🔶 (@cajardineMP) October 15, 2021
Such sad and awful news. Sending thoughts and prayers to Sir David’s family and many many friends. A kind and committed man who lost his life while serving his community. https://t.co/Wh0fWlDzds
— Sarah Olney (@sarahjolney1) October 15, 2021
Following today's tragic events, we have suspended @LibDems campaigning over the weekend.
Our thoughts are with Sir David Amess' family and friends.
— Mike Dixon 🔶 (@mikedixn) October 15, 2021
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7 Comments
A very sad day. I’m sure that there were quite a few things that we as Lib Dems disagreed with David Amess, but he stood up for what he believed in and his electorate supported him. That is democracy.
No cause or grievance is so powerful as to justify anything like this. We are all weaker and more vulnerable as a consequence. My thoughts and condolences go out to all his family and friends.
A very sad day.
Thumbs up (from a not-an-LD) to Ed Davey for striking the right note.
Besides those MPs, like Jo Cox and Ian Gow, not forgetting Airey Neave, who died while performing their duties, let’s not forget Labour’s Stephen Timms or Lib Dem, Nigel Jones, seriously injured by constituents and, in the latter’s case, his assistant, who died trying to protect him.
David Amess joins a relatively short list of politicians, both major and not so major, who have fallen victim to violence, fatal or not, while in the process of just doing their job. One is one too many. For me, it just shows how many deranged people there are out there and how vulnerable our representatives are. So terribly sad.
@Justin, John oundle
I think we need to be careful before assuming motivations or causes for this terrible event.
John is absolutely right, we should also remember Andrew Pennington a good man and a good the Lib Dem, councillor for Hesters Way in Cheltenham, who sacrificed his life helping to protect Nigel Jones. He was posthumously awarded the George Medal for his sacrifice.
This is very sad news. I met David Amess once when I worked in Parliament back in the 90s, a really nice guy and a huge loss to his constituents. It’s a total shock to anyone both inside and outside politics.
The police have now declared this to be a terrorist incident. It would be helpful if people did not speculate on the details of the event or any underlying causes. There will be more opportunities for the wider debate here on LDV in the coming days.