It’s by-election day in Southend West after the seat became vacant following the horrendous murder of Sir David Amess. Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the Greens have all agreed not to stand, in respect to the late MP. Nine other parties are running, leaving Conservative candidate Anna Firth the firm favourite to retain the constituency.
The Tories have opted for someone who has been tipped to become an MP for some time. An Essex-born barrister and Sevenoaks councillor, Firth has reached the shortlist for by-elections in Thanet South and Rochester and Strood. In 2019, she was the prospective candidate for Canterbury. But on a night when Labour lost 60 seats, Canterbury was one of a handful of seats where their majority increased.
When Firth finally makes it to Westminster, what can we expect from this true blue backbencher? She is, to Number 10’s delight, a devotee of the Prime Minister. A committed Brexiteer, Firth co-chaired Vote Leave’s Women for Britain branch at the same time that Johnson was leading the official Brexit campaign. She has met him on numerous occasions and endorsed him for the Tory leadership back in 2019.
Do not expect this career politician and Boris-backer to be sending any letters of no confidence anytime soon.