-
Boris Johnson announces Southend to be granted city status in honour of David Amess

The BBC reported that Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced the Queen has agreed Southend will be granted city status following the killing of MP Sir David Amess.
It said that Mr Johnson told the House of Commons he was "happy" to announce Southend "will be accorded the city status it so clearly deserves".
The prime minister said: "That Sir David spent almost 40 years in this House, but not one day in ministerial office, tells everything about where his priorities lay."
He added Sir David "never once witnessed any achievement by any resident of Southend that could not somehow be cited in his bid to secure status for that distinguished town".
According to the BBC, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer told Parliament he was "so pleased" by the announcement.
Sir Keir said the news was "a fitting tribute to Sir David's hard work".

James Duddridge, who represents Rochford and Southend East, the constituency neighbouring Sir David's Southend West seat, said the decision "means a lot to everybody".
Read more: Former US Secretary of State Colin Powell dies of Covid-19 complications
He said residents did not want Southend to be remembered as the city where Sir David was killed but " for characteristics such as its pier, airport and football".
The BBC mentioned that Sir David, who championed Southend's bid for city status as part of The Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations in 2022, was described by Home Secretary Priti Patel as "Mr Southend" following his death.
As well as bringing extra prestige, city status is an opportunity for areas to attract more tourism and boost the local economy.
On its website, Southend-on-Sea Borough Council, which had campaigned with Sir David, previously said city status would bring not only "prestige and standing, but an opportunity to lever further investment".
Read more: Son of ex-Somali political aide arrested over killing of lawmaker David Amess
On the latest announcement, council leader Ian Gilbert said he felt a "mixture of emotions" after hearing the news.
He said it was "clearly what Sir David would have wanted".
He added: "While I don't want it to have come in these circumstances, I'm still pleased and proud that it is happening."
Labour councillor for Kursaal ward in Southend, Matt Dent, said: "Everyone who knew Sir David knew how passionate he was about Southend getting city status.
"It was something he worked into every conversation. It's such a shame he is not here to see it."
Chelmsford MP Vicky Ford and Southend United FC both tweeted that it was a "fitting" tribute to Sir David.
Downing Street said the award of city status to Southend was a "very rare honour".
Read more: France ambassador leaves Minsk as Belarus government orders him out
The prime minister's official spokesman said: "This was an exceptional circumstance."
"It is a very rare honour which Sir David campaigned passionately for.
"He was a tireless champion of Southend, celebrating its achievements, the work of its residents and its thriving local businesses and diversity."
In a 2019 speech to the Commons calling on Southend to be given city status, Sir David celebrated the town for everything from its hospital and airport to its investment in digital infrastructure.
He also praised Leigh-on-Sea for being voted the "happiest place in the United Kingdom" and said people in Southend "walk on water" while on its famous pier.
Source: BBC
You May Also Like
Popular Posts
Caricature
BENEFIT Sponsors BuildHer...
- April 23, 2025
BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has sponsored the BuildHer CityHack 2025 Hackathon, a two-day event spearheaded by the College of Engineering and Technology at the Royal University for Women (RUW).
Aimed at secondary school students, the event brought together a distinguished group of academic professionals and technology experts to mentor and inspire young participants.
More than 100 high school students from across the Kingdom of Bahrain took part in the hackathon, which featured an intensive programme of training workshops and hands-on sessions. These activities were tailored to enhance participants’ critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and team-building capabilities, while also encouraging the development of practical and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges using modern technological tools.
BENEFIT’s Chief Executive Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi, commented: “Our support for this educational hackathon reflects our long-term strategic vision to nurture the talents of emerging national youth and empower the next generation of accomplished female leaders in technology. By fostering creativity and innovation, we aim to contribute meaningfully to Bahrain’s comprehensive development goals and align with the aspirations outlined in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030—an ambition in which BENEFIT plays a central role.”
Professor Riyadh Yousif Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, commented: “This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing women in STEM fields. We're cultivating a generation of creative, solution-driven female leaders who will drive national development. Our partnership with BENEFIT exemplifies the powerful synergy between academia and private sector in supporting educational innovation.”
Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager, PR & Communication at BENEFIT, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with RUW in supporting this remarkable technology-focused event. It highlights our commitment to social responsibility, and our ongoing efforts to enhance the digital and innovation capabilities of young Bahraini women and foster their ability to harness technological tools in the service of a smarter, more sustainable future.”
For his part, Dr. Humam ElAgha, Acting Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University, said: “BuildHer CityHack 2025 embodies our hands-on approach to education. By tackling real-world problems through creative thinking and sustainable solutions, we're preparing women to thrive in the knowledge economy – a cornerstone of the University's vision.”
opinion
Report
ads
Newsletter
Subscribe to our mailing list to get the new updates!