It is a very sad week in Westminster as the House pays tributes to two fantastic colleagues that have tragically been taken away from us recently.
Sir David Amess and James Brokenshire were both dear friends of mine. They were honourable men and superb colleagues who loved taking care of fellow MPs and their constituents. They will both be greatly missed, and my prayers are with their families.
When James was the Immigration Minister and I was a new MP, I wanted to change the law on the detention of pregnant refugee women. James steered me through the process and helped me to push changes to the legislation.
Sir David Amess was insightful, kind, funny and always had all the time in the world to help others. If he ever caught me low, he would crack some remark with his beaming smile and have us both laughing. He is the epitome of GK Chesterton’s quote: “Angels can fly because they can take themselves lightly.” His pride and joy were to make a real difference to someone’s life, and he has made a huge difference to the people of Southend West.
Sir David wore his Catholic faith in his heart and he often wanted to shed light on people living the darkest of lives. So, of course he was a great supporter of my ongoing campaign against the genocide in Xinjiang and in particular of the brutalisation of Uyghur women and children. I also had the pleasure of hosting a virtual tour of his new book Ayes & Ears: A Survivor's Guide to Westminster.
The threat of verbal and physical violence against MPs who wake up every day to serve the public is getting worse and is unacceptable. All elected representatives must be able to go about their work without the fear of attacks. We all have a responsibility for the language we use online and those who wish to spread hatred and threats of violence online must be exposed and held accountable.
I have been inundated with correspondence on the matter and I very much appreciate your kind messages for my wellbeing and that of my family's. Your condolences are warmly received, and I will respond to everybody personally, but I need some time to come to terms with Sir David’s murder.
I work closely with the Sussex Police, so please know that I will continue my work in Wealden, working with communities and serving local people to make a difference.
At home in Wealden, tributes have been paid to Wealden District Council councillor for Hartfield and former chairman Chris Hardy who passed away at the end of September following a battle with cancer. Chris was my close friend and neighbour, a fantastic councillor, and a great ambassador for Hartfield and Wealden. He was at the heart of the community and he will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with his wife Sue and all his family at this difficult time.
“I will lead him and restore comfort to him and his mourners, creating the fruit of the lips. Peace, peace, to the far and to the near,” says the Lord, “and I will heal him.” (Isaiah 57:18–19)
