Westminster reacts to news of David Amess's death

• Words by ITV Meridian's political correspondent Phil Hornby

The death of Sir David Amess has left Westminster grieving and disbelieving. How could this happen again?

Five years after Jo Cox was murdered, MPs are still so vulnerable to attack as they go about their routine constituency business. 

MPs can try to improve security when they hold surgeries in their offices. But Sir David was meeting constituents in a church. The surgery was publicised well in advance. Anyone could walk in.

Politicians need to be accessible and available - 100 percent security is impossible. But it needs to be much. much better than it is. 

Perhaps in future all surgeries should take place in more secure offices. But this is not ideal. Constituencies are large, and MPs want to meet people in all the areas they represent.

After Jo Cox's death, MPs were warned to take their own security more seriously. It's much easier said than done. 

When an MP holds a surgery - even if there are colleagues present - no-one can be sure who is going to walk through the door, or what their intentions are.

In 1990, the Eastbourne MP Ian Gow - who knew he was on an IRA hit-list - was murdered at his home. He had no security. And now Sir David becomes the latest MP to be attacked at a surgery, where again, there was little or no security.

When the Speaker announces Sir David's death in the Commons on Monday, there will be much talk about MPs getting greater protection. There was similar talk after Jo Cox died. This time the talk must be followed by action.

Sir David Amess is one of Westminster's most colourful characters, never happier than when drumming up publicity for his constituencies.

He became MP for Basildon in 1983 - one of the Tory victories which pleased Mrs Thatcher the most. She was proud to get the support of what was known back then as "Essex man".

In 1992, he was expected to lose his seat. But he won it - early on election night. It was the first indication John Major would stay as Prime Minister.

But he realised the writing really was on the wall in 1997, so he left Basildon and stood in the safe seat of Southend West.

For more than 20 years he has championed Southend in the Commons, most notably in his relentless campaign for the town to get city status.

His other passion is animal welfare, joining Tory colleagues like his great friend Ann Widdecombe campaigning against the live export of animals.

Sir David has never climbed to the top of the greasy pole - he is content with life as a very active backbencher. He is an MP determined to speak up - always very vocally - for the people he represents. He can be a gossip, has a wicked sense of humour, and a smile is never far from his face.

Today's news - coming just five years after the murder of Jo Cox - has left Westminster stunned.

Once again, an MP, going about routine constituency business, has been attacked. And once again, the question will be asked: how can we keep our MPs safe?