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The Chairman of Epping Forest District Council, Councillor Helen Kane pays tribute to Sir David Amess MP, in a letter to the Speaker of the House of Commons, The Right Honourable Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP.
Chairman Helen Kane said:
I am writing to express the deep condolences of the residents and councillors of Epping Forest District to yourself, your parliamentary colleagues, to the people of Southend, and above all to the family of Sir David Amess following his tragic death on Friday.
As an Essex MP, Sir David was well known to many people in Epping Forest and we feel particularly deeply for our fellow Essex residents in Southend.
Britain is usually a safe and peaceable society. We pride ourselves on our common belief in the democratic values of openness and tolerance. Whether as councillors, members of parliament or in many other public service roles, the countless meetings, surgeries and visits of our elected representatives are the beating heart of our democracy. To desecrate these values in such a violent and mindless way is deeply shocking to us all.
I am so sad to recall that this is not the first incident of this type. It has happened before and the memory of Jo Cox remains strong. This is not a matter of politics. People of all political persuasions have put differences aside as we unite in grief for Sir David and his family.
The people and the councillors of Epping Forest stand with you and your colleagues.
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