Anna Firth was elected as the Conservative Member of Parliament for Southend West in a by-election in February 2022. The by-election followed the death of the former long standing MP, David Amess, who was killed when holding a constituency surgery.
In light of the circumstances of the by-election, both the Labour and Liberal Democrats opted not to stand in the contest. On a low turnout of 24%, Firth was elected with a majority of 12,280. In the 2019 General Election, Sir David had been returned with a majority of 14,459.
Covering the small town of Leigh on Sea, and the west of Southed itself, this constituency was formerly represented by the Channon family in Parliament between 1918 and 1997. It has a large London commuter population, and has been held by the Conservatives ever since the Second World War.
Born in 1965, Firth was born and grew up in Leigh on Sea in her constituency. She was then educated at Durham University and worked in financial services before retraining as a barrister.
She previously served as a district councillor on Sevenoaks Borough Council in Kent. She was also a governor of a Kent Grammar School.
Firth was previously the Chief-Executive of the Invicta National Academy, a not-for-profit community interest company, helping children of the UK catch up on missed learning caused by covid-19.
Her interests include theatre, music, cycling, sea-swimming and scuba-diving.
Soon after her election she was keen to downplay the furore surrounding Boris Johnson over partygate, telling the Southend Echo that this issue was that not prevalent on the doorsteps, and that her constituents just wanted the government to get on with the job.
