Sir David Anthony Andrew Amess (/ˈeɪmɪs/ AY-miss; 26 March 1952 – 15 October 2021) was a British politician who served as Member of Parliament (MP) for Southend West from 1997 until his murder in 2021. He previously served as MP for Basildon from 1983 to 1997. A member of the Conservative Party, he was a Catholic with socially conservative political views and was in favour of leaving the European Union. Born and raised in Essex, Amess studied economics and government at Bournemouth University and then had short careers as a primary school teacher, underwriter and recruitment consultant. He was elected as a Conservative councillor for Redbridge in 1982 and MP for Basildon in 1983. His position was seen as a bellwether seat, exemplifying the enthusiasm of the "Essex man" for the government of Margaret Thatcher. He held the seat in the election of 1992, but when boundary changes made it untenable, he became MP for Southend West in 1997 and served the constituency until his death. In government, his highest position was as Parliamentary Private Secretary to Michael Portillo for twelve years. He was more prominent as a backbencher, serving on many select committees and sponsoring several pieces of legislation, including the Protection Against Cruel Tethering Act (1988) and Warm Homes and Energy Conservation Act (2000). The causes for which he campaigned included animal welfare, awarding city status to Southend-on-Sea, the honouring of Raoul Wallenberg and support for those suffering from endometriosis. He routinely voted against equal marriage, voted against equalising the age of consent for same sex couples, and against same sex couples having the right to adopt children. On 15 October 2021, Amess was stabbed multiple times at a constituency surgery in Leigh-on-Sea and later died at the scene from his injuries. Ali Harbi Ali, a 25-year-old man, was arrested at the scene and, on 21 October, he was charged with murder and preparing terrorist acts. On 11 April 2022, Ali was found guilty on both counts, and was sentenced to life imprisonment with a whole life order.
