David Amess facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sir
David Amess
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Official portrait, 2020
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| Member of Parliament for Southend West |
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| In office 1 May 1997 – 15 October 2021 |
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| Preceded by | Paul Channon |
| Succeeded by | Anna Firth |
| Member of Parliament for Basildon |
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| In office 9 June 1983 – 8 April 1997 |
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| Preceded by | Harvey Proctor |
| Succeeded by | Angela Smith |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
David Anthony Andrew Amess
26 March 1952 Plaistow, Essex, England |
| Died | 15 October 2021 (aged 69) Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, England |
| Political party | Conservative |
| Spouse |
Julia Arnold
(m. 1983) |
| Children | 5, including Katie |
| Education | St Bonaventure's Grammar School |
| Alma mater | Bournemouth University (BSc) |
| Committees |
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| Awards | Knight Bachelor (2015) |
Sir David Anthony Andrew Amess (born 26 March 1952 – died 15 October 2021) was a British politician. He was a Member of Parliament (MP) for Southend West from 1997 until his death in 2021. Before that, he was the MP for Basildon from 1983 to 1997. He was a member of the Conservative Party.
Born and raised in Essex, David Amess studied economics and government. He worked as a primary school teacher and a consultant before becoming a politician. He was first elected as a local councillor in 1982. Then, he became an MP in 1983. He was known for his strong support of Britain leaving the European Union.
As an MP, he worked on many important issues. He helped pass laws about animal welfare and making homes warmer. He also campaigned for Southend-on-Sea to become a city. He was made a knight in 2015 for his public service. Sir David Amess was sadly murdered in 2021. After his death, Southend was granted city status in his memory.
Contents
Early Life and Education
David Anthony Andrew Amess was born on 26 March 1952 in Plaistow, Essex. His father was an electrician, and his mother was a dressmaker. He grew up in a working-class family and was raised Catholic.
He went to St Anthony's Junior and Infant School. Then he attended St Bonaventure's Grammar School. He later said his interest in politics started there. As a child, he had a stammer, which he overcame with speech therapy. He went on to Bournemouth University. There, he earned a degree in economics and government.
After university, Amess taught disabled children for a year. He also worked as an underwriter and a recruitment consultant.
Becoming a Politician
David Amess first tried to become a politician in 1977. He ran for the Conservative Party in a local election. In 1979, he ran for MP in Newham North West, but he did not win.
In 1982, he was elected as a Conservative councillor. He served on the London Borough of Redbridge council. He was in charge of the Housing Committee for a few years.
MP for Basildon
In 1983, David Amess was chosen to run for MP in Basildon. He won the election and became a Member of Parliament. He was seen as a symbol of the "Essex man" who supported Margaret Thatcher.
He kept his Basildon seat in the 1987 and 1992 elections. He became a parliamentary private secretary to Michael Portillo. This meant he helped a senior minister for ten years.
MP for Southend West
Before the 1997 election, the boundaries of the Basildon area changed. This made it very hard for him to win there again. So, David Amess decided to run for MP in Southend West. He won this seat in 1997 and continued to serve the area until his death.
Key Campaigns and Achievements
Sir David Amess was known for his dedication to several causes. He worked hard to make a difference in people's lives.
Southend City Status
Amess was famous for his long campaign to make Southend-on-Sea a city. This was a dream of his for many years. After his death, Queen Elizabeth II agreed to grant Southend city status in his honour. This happened on 18 October 2021.
On 1 March 2022, Charles, Prince of Wales, officially presented the documents. This made Southend a city, a lasting tribute to Sir David Amess.
Laws He Helped Pass
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Amess helped create many laws in Parliament. Two important ones were about animal welfare and warm homes.
Protection against Cruel Tethering Act 1988
This law came from Amess's strong concern for animal welfare. It made it illegal to tie up horses, donkeys, or mules in a way that caused them suffering. He said the idea for this law came from the Essex Horse and Pony Protection Society.
Warm Homes and Energy Conservation Act 2000
This was one of Amess's most successful laws. He worked with a campaigner from Friends of the Earth. The law required the government to create a plan to help people who could not afford to heat their homes. This problem is called "fuel poverty."
This law made a big difference in the UK. The number of homes struggling with fuel poverty dropped a lot after it was passed.
Raoul Wallenberg Memorial
Amess campaigned for many years to honour Raoul Wallenberg. Wallenberg was a Swedish diplomat who saved thousands of Jewish people during World War II. Amess wanted a statue built for him. The memorial was finally put up in London in 1997.
Endometriosis Awareness
In 2018, Amess started a special group in Parliament. This group focused on endometriosis. This is a painful health condition that affects many women. He wanted to raise awareness and help people get the support they needed.
Working in Parliament
Sir David Amess served on several important committees in Parliament. These committees look closely at different areas of government work.
Health Select Committee
He was a member of the Health Select Committee from 1998 to 2007. He also led the Conservative Party's health committee. He was very interested in health issues. He helped lead an investigation into obesity in the UK in 2004. The report looked at why people were overweight and suggested ways to help.
Panel of Chairs
Amess was also part of the Panel of Chairs from 2001 until his death. Members of this panel help lead debates in Parliament. They make sure discussions follow the rules.
Backbench Business Committee
He was elected to the new Backbench Business Committee in 2010. This committee gives MPs who are not ministers a chance to choose topics for debate.
Administration Committee
From 2015 to 2019, Amess was on the Administration Committee. This group looks after the buildings and services of Parliament.
Political Views
Sir David Amess usually voted with his Conservative Party. He supported the 2003 invasion of Iraq but later criticised the government. He was a strong supporter of Brexit. He believed it was important for the UK to leave the European Union.
He was also a big supporter of animal welfare. He consistently voted to ban foxhunting. He was a patron of the Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation. He supported campaigns against animal testing and puppy farming.
Awards and Recognition
Sir David Amess received several awards for his public service.
In 2015, he was made a Knight Bachelor by the Queen. This was for his work in politics and for the public.
He won the Animal Welfare and Environment Champion award in 2011. This was for his strong commitment to helping animals and the environment. In 2012, he received an "Outstanding Achievement Award" for his charity work. He was also nominated for an award in 2014 for his long dedication to animal rights.
Personal Life
Sir David Amess was married to Julia Arnold, and they had five children. Their eldest daughter, Katie Amess, is an actress.
He was a lifelong fan of the Premier League football team West Ham United. He loved animals and had several pets. His French Bulldog, Vivienne, won the Westminster Dog of the Year Show shortly after his death.
Amess was the president of The Music Man Project. This is a charity that helps people with learning disabilities enjoy music. He even performed with them at famous venues like the Royal Albert Hall.
His Death
On 15 October 2021, Sir David Amess was tragically killed. This happened during a meeting with his constituents at Belfairs Methodist Church Hall in Leigh-on-Sea. The police later said his death was a terrorist incident. The person responsible, Ali Harbi Ali, was arrested and later sentenced to life in prison.
Funeral and Memorial
A procession and memorial service were held in Southend on 22 November. A private service for his family took place at St Mary's Church. His casket was then carried through the streets in a horse-drawn hearse. The next day, a larger funeral service was held at Westminster Cathedral. Many important people attended, including the Prime Minister Boris Johnson. A message from Pope Francis was also read.
Legacy
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Sir David Amess is remembered for his dedication to his community and his country.
As a tribute to him, Southend was officially granted city status on 1 March 2022. This was a dream he had worked on for many years. Politicians also planted a tree in his memory in Southend.
A special shield of arms was created in his honour. It has the motto "His Light Remains." This shield was put on display in the House of Commons in October 2023. A fund was also started in his memory in December.
A statue of Sir David Amess was created by sculptor Andrew Lilley. It was unveiled in Southend on 11 April 2024. His wife said she felt like she could "reach out and touch him" when she saw it.
Images for kids
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Amess in 2015
See also
In Spanish: David Amess para niños
