Dominic Raab today suggested it is 'inevitable' Southend-on-Sea will become a city as he said it would be a 'very fitting tribute' to murdered Tory MP David Amess.
The Deputy PM stressed there is a 'mechanism' for taking the decision on whether the Essex resort is given the new status.
But he pointed to the two-decade campaign by Sir David, who raised the issue at every opportunity in the Commons.
Mr Raab told LBC radio: 'It feels like a certain inevitability about this campaign.
'Let me respect the mechanism for deciding it but say that I think it will be a very fitting tribute if it should come to pass.'
Speaker Lindsay Hoyle also backed the move, saying: 'I would love to see city status for Southend.'
Sir David had relentlessly pushed for the Essex resort to be made a city since 2000- most recently arguing that it would help attract some much-needed investment post-Brexit and Covid.
Colleagues from both sides of the aisle are calling for his wish be granted, arguing it would be a fitting memorial for the 69 year old.
The Queen is set to designate new cities in celebration of her Platinum Jubilee next year, and local authorities have been putting forward their towns for city status since June.
Boris Johnson could give an indication of the government's feeling on the issue this afternoon when he leads tributes in the Commons.
With a population of around 183,000, Southend is a large coastal town and is home to the longest pleasure pier in the world, Southend Pier, measuring 1.33 miles (pictured)
Dominic Raab (left) pointed to the two-decade campaign by David Amess (right), who raised the issue at every opportunity in the Commons
Boris Johnson (pictured jogging this morning) could give an indication of the government's feeling on Southend's status this afternoon when he leads tributes in the Commons
Home Secretary Priti Patel also gave a warm response to the idea when she gave a round of interviews yesterday.
'I'm smiling at that suggestion... It would be a wonderful tribute to my dear friend David,' Ms Patel told Times Radio.
Ms Patel told the BBC's Andrew Marr Show: 'When David's name is mentioned going forward he will bring great cheer and smiles.'
'He was Mr Southend, he was Mr Essex, he would always put Southend front and centre of his work and that was David through and through.'
Conservative MP for Kingswood Chris Skidmore said: 'David would badger me
