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Sir David Amess, reknowned for winning Basildon in 1992, has been stabbed while holding a constituency surgery.
I got a really good feeling about him when I heard him on a podcast earlier this year:
Hope he recovers.
Politically he's pretty much everything I oppose in the modern Conservative party but he deserves to be voted out, not stabbed, and I hope he pulls through and makes a full recovery.
Violence is never the answer.
Confirmed it's him? BBC just saying a stabbing at a meeting he was at.
My thoughts echo hatter's really.
Confirmed
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/oct/15/conservative-mp-david-amess-stabbed-in-essex-attack
Hope he pulls through. We might joke about it sometimes but violence is not the answer.
Be interesting what the motive was - presumably not right wing like Jo Cox's murder.
Air ambulance at scene, apparently. Awful stuff, let's hope he's going to be OK - our MPs need to be able to meet the people they represent in safety, it's pretty much the only way they get to hear what's going on in the real world.
Be interesting what the motive was – presumably not right wing like Jo Cox’s murder.
This will be extremely interesting, socially and politically.
We might joke about it sometimes but violence is not the answer.
Whilst we don't know the motives yet, this sort of thing is the inevitable result of the breakdown of democracy. When all other methods fail, what else is left?
BBC just saying a stabbing at a meeting he was at.
BBC is always really slow on breaking news.
Be interesting what the motive was
Whilst I agree that in the days to come this will be a fully valid topic of discussion, can we please refrain from any unfounded speculation until more information comes to light?
I also agree with MartinHutch, constituency surgeries are an oft-overlooked and deeply unglamourous part of our democracy and anything that makes them less accessible or harder to attend would further distance our elected representatives from the people they are supposed to serve, that's never a good thing.
BBC is always really slow on breaking news.
Far more reluctant to take a punt on unconfirmed reports on major stories, having been burned a few times in the past.
this sort of thing is the inevitable result of the breakdown of democracy. When all other methods fail, what else is left?
He's been elected a number of times in general elections, in multiple constituencies, for about 4 decades. In what way is that a failure of democracy?
Terrible news.
When all other methods fail, what else is left?
It’s never to stab someone.
Whilst we don’t know the motives yet, this sort of thing is the inevitable result of the breakdown of democracy.
More likely a breakdown in mental health care, caused by chronic under funding for decades.
BBC is always really slow on breaking news.
BBC insist on 2 sources iirc, after being bitten in the past
Whilst we don’t know the motives yet, this sort of thing is the inevitable result of the breakdown of democracy. When all other methods fail, what else is left?
Our resident Disaster Anarchist has arrived 😀
I wasn't wanting to provoke speculation with my comment, just thinking aloud. Always a mistake when I'm near a keyboard
In what way is that a failure of democracy?
I didn't say it was. I don't agree with attacking MPs, but in the current environment of unaccountable power and ever increasing inequality and distance between politicians and the people, I think this sort of thing will become more frequent.
It’s never to stab someone.
Totally agree. But many others won't.
Whilst we don’t know the motives yet, this sort of thing is the inevitable result of
the breakdown of democracypeople using their vote to select politicians I disagree with. When all other methods fail, what else is left?
Fixed that for you.
He has some intersting views and opinions now that I've looked them up. Very anti-hunting, which is to be wholly admired. Fingers crossed he's ok.
Whilst we don’t know the motives yet, this sort of thing is the inevitable result of the breakdown of democracy. When all other methods fail, what else is left?
but in the current environment of unaccountable power and ever increasing inequality and distance between politicians and the people, I think this sort of thing will become more frequent.
Good job democracy isn't breaking down, I understand people get the opportunity to vote for someone else fairly regularly
The attack on Jo Cox was nothing to do with a breakdown of democracy either, commentaries like yours seek to be self locking lollipops just like the recent petrol crisis, two remote stations go dry and a industry briefing, next thing you know aunt Mabel is fighting on the forecourt as she needs to top up to ensure she can drive to the park to walk her dog
Bloody hell, hope he pulls through, and they catch the person that did it. What a terrible thing to have happened to someone just doing their job.
Good job democracy isn’t breaking down, I understand people get the opportunity to vote for someone else fairly regularly
+1
Yep, people wanted a Tory government, voted for it and got one.
Can't say I'm very happy about it, but that's democracy.
Not good. Hope he pulls through. Hope there are no reprisals.
BBC insist on 2 sources iirc, after being bitten in the past
Sky had two sources - BBC just aren't as good as their competitors on breaking news.
In the podcast linked above he actually describes having a relative stabbed 52 times in a car park and the effect that had on his views. 41 minutes in. What a terrible irony.
It's a great podcast by the way - seems like a very down to earth person.
In the podcast linked above he actually describes having a relative stabbed 52 times in a car park and the effect that had on his views. 41 minutes in. What a terrible irony.
Just got to that bit. He also talks about how his predecessor didn't do surgeries.
It’s a great podcast by the way – seems like a very down to earth person.
Yeah, good to hear Politicians being given a bit of a chance to express themselves. Nick Robinson does something similar in his podcast.
I'm pretty sure these unchallenging interviews get more out of them. They talk freely whereas on Today or against Paxman/Neal they just clam up and stay on message.
Yep, people wanted a Tory government, voted for it and got one.
Can’t say I’m very happy about it, but that’s democracy.
Actually the tories got a minority of the vote but got a huge majority of seats. thats not democratic. the UK system is a faux democracy given an appointed house and the not fit for purpose FPTP system and also given the gerrymandering and ownership of the media by the tories
Can we keep it on topic please given the reason for the story. Thanks.
Police have confirmed a man's died.
Police have confirmed a man’s died.
Tragic.
Indeed, so very much then, please,
Can we keep it on topic please given the reason for the story. Thanks.
RIP.
Awful news.
RIP
That's two MPs in a shade over 5 years. Roughly a 1 in 300 chance of being murdered in a five year period.
Both times around surgeries, which I think we can all agree are good/essential. Not sure a zoom meeting would be an adequate substitute.
Bad.
Just seen the update on the BBC website.
What the Conservatives are doing to this country under the stewardship of Johnson & his bungling mob is awful, but no one deserves that.
Sad news.
RIP.
Awful news.
This. Its tragic that a person has been killed while doing his job as a public servant.
Regardless of your political views, MP's play a vital role in addressing issues of importance to their local community and anything limits peoples ability to get access to their MP is a bad thing.
Condolences to his family.
3 x attempted / actual murders of MPs in 11 years. What a senseless waste.
How will we ever get good, experienced, level-headed people to represent us when these are the risks they face?
Poor guy all for doing his job. Tragic. RIP
Its tragic that a person has been killed while doing his job as a public servant.
Regardless of your political views, MP’s play a vital role in addressing issues of importance to their local community and anything limits peoples ability to get access to their MP is a bad thing.
Condolences to his family
+1
Just awful.
RIP and condolences to his Family, Friends and Colleagues
We are all lesser because of this, regardless of political affiliation.
Another sad thing is that it's the good MP's who actually bother to do their job and meet their constituents who are most at risk of this kind of thing - the useless ones who don't engage aren't.
Another sad thing is that it’s the good MP’s who actually bother to do their job and meet their constituents who are most at risk of this kind of thing – the useless ones who don’t engage aren’t.
Good point. At 70 I doubt he would have stood in the next election so he wasn't doing today's Surgery to get re-elected, he was genuinely trying to help people.
Horrible news to read, no-one should die from being stabbed for just doing their job.
Agreed this is pretty grim. I guess the context will come out eventually.
Got to confess, it's not a name I was aware of before this I don't think which is pretty stellar considering he'd been an mp for 40 years. And whilst his views and mine appear to only partly coincide (yes to animal rights, no to anti abortion) that's no reason to wish this kin of end to him.
Considering there have been attacks across the political spectrum (1 labour mp dead, 1 lib dem assistant who got in the way to help his mp) and now 1 tory i don't think calling out comments on scum is accurate.
This has been building for years whipped on by mostly the right wing press, will be interesting what the backlash is from this. But as it stands someone has been murdered doing their job which is awful.
Sir David Amess celebrating the award of his knighthood.
Ok.
This is the last request to keep on topic. Someone has tragically died this afternoon, now is not the time for bickering, using terms like scum or abusing other members. They’ll be no more requests I’ll simple give the weekend off to anyone who is disrespectful.
it’s not a name I was aware of before this I don’t think which is pretty stellar
Most back bench MP's don't have a high profile - their job is to represent us and scrutinise government legislation to make sure it benefits us. (I know this is an overly naïve interpretation).
In my view if more MP's concentrated on that part of their job rather than career building, then society would be all the better for it.
I really hope that photo above is real - its fab.
Depressing. Especially as it was while carrying out his constituency work. Thoughts go to his family and friends and those close to him.
Been away for a couple of hours, can't believe the mods have had to step in.
Terrible tragedy, sounds as though he was a hard working local MP.
“ Been away for a couple of hours, can’t believe the mods have had to step in.”
Didn’t surprise me in the slightest.
RIP - absolutely terrible
The work MPs do for their constituents is critical but very often overlooked. There are plenty of excellent consistency MPs representing all parties. They must be able to continue this work safely
Been away for a couple of hours, can’t believe the mods have had to step in.
Folk can pretty much freely post as much vitriol and aggressive language about politicians/parties as they want, but when something goes tragically wrong then there's a grief porn outburst and clamping down on posts that wouldn't have been blinked at previously.
I'm not commenting on anyone here, just a general social media observation.
A horrendous crime , I can only hope the powers that be look upon such attacks not only against the individual, but as an attack on democracy and sentence the killer to a whole life tariff.
Most back bench MP’s don’t have a high profile – their job is to represent us and scrutinise government legislation to make sure it benefits us. (I know this is an overly naïve interpretation).
In my view if more MP’s concentrated on that part of their job rather than career building, then society would be all the better for it.
There is something in this but......I am the person who listens to Yesterday in Parliament so probably have the names of random MPs pass by me more than most.
Folk can pretty much freely post as much vitriol and aggressive language about politicians/parties as they want, but when something goes tragically wrong then there’s a grief porn outburst and clamping down on posts that wouldn’t have been blinked at previously.
This is true. I didn't start this thread as an RIP thread (the title was changed for some reason), it was breaking news and I don't understand why moderators should get po-faced about comments that are commonly accepted on any other thread just because someone was tragically murdered.
Random fact - David Amess was the politician in the "Cake" sketch on Chris Morris's Brass Eye.
I don’t understand why moderators should get po-faced about comments that are commonly accepted on any other thread just because someone was tragically murdered.
I do.
There is a time and and there is a place.
Now is not the time, and this thread isn't the place, to start bickering and scoring political points.
The fact that someone has not only tragically died but has been murdered makes all the difference imo.
I assume the RIP was added to remind people of the need to show respect.
it’s not a name I was aware of before this I don’t think which is pretty stellar
I knew of him because of the various political positions he took.
Now is not the time, and this thread isn’t the place, to start bickering and scoring political points.
I do see this point but I think there is a worthwhile and apposite discussion about the nature of political discourse, what one expects of our politicians and whether they are healthy and realistic which is really all the deleted posts that were discussing.
Very sad, Just another mark on the sand for how absurdly polar our politics have become.
I don’t understand why moderators should get po-faced about comments that are commonly accepted on any other thread just because someone was tragically murdered.
Maybe if some of the vile language and threats against politicians that are tolerated on other threads (and elsewhere on social media) were clamped down on, some deluded soul wouldn't think attacking an MP was somehow acceptable.
I've sailed close to the wind a few times myself I'm sure, but proposing, even in jest, hoisting politicians from lampposts has to be unacceptable in a (flawed) democratic society.
Random fact – David Amess was the politician in the “Cake” sketch on Chris Morris’s Brass Eye.
He covers that in some detail in the interview in the second post. Worth a look.
Obviously it was utterly humiliating for him and he doesn't seem to have ever really put it behind him *but* Leah Betts* was his constituent so it seemed perfectly natural that he'd be contacted to produce a message of that kind at that time.
A fair few people got caught by that spoof and back then they couldn't just google to check and why would they anyway?
The whole thing seems less funny today than it did yesterday. ☹️
* https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_of_Leah_Betts
I do see this point but I think there is a worthwhile and apposite discussion about the nature of political discourse, what one expects of our politicians and whether they are healthy and realistic which is really all the deleted posts that were discussing.
Worthwhile, but better in its own thread IMHO.
I am not one to shy away from political debate but this thread is not the place for it.
LBC just said counter terrorism police are investigating. Anyone else got a lead on the motivation?
My understanding is that counter terrorism police are always involved in incidents such as this one until terrorism can be ruled out.
It has been declared as a terrorist attack.
https://twitter.com/DerbyChrisW/status/1449084533853278210?s=20
My first thought was "Pretty far apart politically" but perhaps what it really highlights is how close we are politically in the UK.
BBC now reporting it as a suspected Islamist attack.
BBC now reporting it as a suspected Islamist attack.
Shame, I hoped we were done with those fools.
This was a nice little bit about him from somebody he employed:
https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1449046895515602946.html
My first thought was “Pretty far apart politically” but perhaps what it really highlights is how close we are politically in the UK.
Or maybe a sign that it's possible to disagree with much of what someone believes, but still have the humanity and empathy to treat them with respect.
Shame, I hoped we were done with those fools.
We will never be done with "fools" who get so screwed up that murdering someone, an MP in this case, seems like the right thing to do - whether that is down to radicalisation or anything else.
Makes it a bit more random than targeted at a specific MP though doesn't it although I suppose their point was to terrorise MPs.