Labour will not be standing a candidate in the Southend West by-election following the death of Sir David Amess, it is understood.
The party is set to follow the principle established after Jo Cox’s murder in 2016, when the major parties declined to select candidates in the subsequent Batley and Spen by-election.
As a result, it is understood Labour will not contest the by-election to find a successor to murdered Conservative MP Sir David Amess.
- READ MORE: Police given more time to question murder suspect after fatal stabbing of Sir David Amess
The Liberal Democrats have also confirmed they will not fight for the seat when a date is set.
It came after a Labour peer has called for all major opposition parties to stand aside in the Southend West by-election out of respect for Sir David Amess after he was murdered serving his constituents.
Former minister Lord Pendry, who said he was on friendly terms with Sir David, said a decision not to contest the seat should be taken to “honour” the Conservative politician.
“This is an occasion when you see the leader of the Opposition (Sir Keir Starmer) and the Prime Minister together, and it shows that our democracy transcends all that sort of thing,” he told PA news agency.
“I think we should be saying that whoever the Conservatives put up, it is their seat because they were deprived of it, so they should have it back.
“I think all the major parties should stand aside in the interest of democracy and our own democratic way of life.”
I spoke to the national Labour Party and made it clear that in the event of a by-election I would not stand as a candidate; both as a mark of respect and as a tribute to Sir David's many years of public service.
— Aston Line Labour (@AstonLineLabour) October 16, 2021
The Party has, quite rightly, taken the same position.
This is absolutely the correct decision.
— Cllr Matt Dent (@CllrDent) October 16, 2021
As with Batley & Spen in 2016, we must send a clear and unflinching message that violence and terrorism will not effect political change in this country#Southend #SirDavidAmess https://t.co/246qbur24w
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