The Sir David Amess Fund: In loving memory of a brilliant MP
Anna Firth MP and Party Chairman Richard Holden MP launched the Sir David Amess Fund in Southend West alongside fellow Party Members, local residents and Parliamentary colleagues.
Sir David was a formidable local MP who ran successful campaigns to benefit the whole of the community he represented.
From securing increased funding for the local hospital, to passing the Warm Homes Act, to his outstanding contributions in support of animal welfare, David was passionate about the people and issues he fought for. Indeed, he fought long and hard to get support for those suffering from endometriosis and spearheaded a campaign to honour the Swedish humanitarian Raoul Wallenberg who saved thousands of Jews from the Holocaust.
Who could forget his long-running campaign for Southend to receive city status, a campaign which he championed so passionately? As ever, he was totally committed to securing the best results for the people of his constituency – David’s work was fundamental in delivering real change for people in his community.
But he also had a national impact as member of various Parliamentary committees, including the Health Select Committee where he was key to an inquiry into obesity in the UK, a topic which he retained an active interest in for many years. He was also a Fellow of the Industry and Parliament Trust, a non-partisan charity which promotes mutual understanding between Parliament and business.
David came from a working-class background, his father was an electrician and his mother was a dressmaker. In later years, he published 2 editions of a pamphlet entitled “Party of Opportunity” which contains biographies of Conservative MPs from working-class backgrounds, maintaining his interest in ensuring that people can succeed whatever their circumstances.
The Sir David Amess Fund was announced at Party Conference as a new Party Fund, set up as a tribute to David’s tireless work as an excellent local campaigning constituency MP.
This fund is open to all Conservative Members of Parliament to apply for, to help them run an excellent single-issue campaign in their constituency.
Party Chairman Richard Holden MP will select two winners each year who will both receive a £5,000 grant to help them promote their campaign.