Sir David, Member of Parliament for Southend West was delighted that on Tuesday 8 June, a City Status competition was announced for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022.

Her Majesty The Queen will be the first British monarch to have reached 70 years on the throne. This is a truly historic moment for the country and it is right that we celebrate it in a way that recognises the strength of community across the United Kingdom with a city status competition.

Sir David commented on the announcement:

I am very pleased that at long last the competition has been launched. Now that the competition is confirmed, I shall make immediate contact with the local authority. In this centenary year, the competition couldn’t be better timed, and frankly as the country struggles to recover from the economic effects of the Coronavirus pandemic city status would be a great morale booster. I very much believe that we could put together an extremely successful bid, and I will now get to work on the project. Southend would undoubtedly be a fitting recipient of the honour.