Voters to choose successor to Sir David Amess in Thursday's by-election
3 February 2022, 05:57
Voters will go to the polls in the Southend West by-election to select a successor to Sir David Amess, who was fatally stabbed during a constituency surgery last year.
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The Conservative MP was attacked at Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex on October 15.
The 69-year-old, who secured an increased majority of 14,459 in the 2019 general election, had served Southend West since 1997, and Basildon before that since 1983.
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The Conservatives have selected barrister Anna Firth as their candidate to succeed Sir David.
Labour and the Liberal Democrats will not stand candidates in Thursday's by-election contest.
Southend West has been held by the Conservatives since its creation in 1950.
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Ali Harbi Ali is accused of murdering Sir David.
The 25-year-old is also charged with preparing acts of terrorism between May 1 2019 and September 28 last year.
Ali denied the charges at a hearing at the Old Bailey in December and faces a trial later this year.
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The candidates standing in the by-election are:
- Freedom Alliance. The Real Alternative: Christopher Anderson
- English Democrats - "Protect Our Borders": Catherine Blaiklock
- No Description: Olga Childs
- Heritage Party: Ben Downton
- Conservative Party: Anna Firth
- Independent: Jayda Fransen
- UK Independence Party: Steve Laws
- English Constitution Party, Freedom: Graham Moore
- Psychedelic Movement: Jason Pilley
