Three cheers rang out across Southend's Council Chamber as members and guests rose to their feet to salute Sir Teddy Taylor as he received the award of Freeman of the Borough.
The unique call came from a Liberal Democrat, Nigel Baker, who added: "The best MP we have had for years."
The ceremony was remarkable, as more of Sir Teddy's political opponents than members of his own party rose and paid tribute to his work for the town.
Council leader Howard Briggs led the tributes to Sir Teddy and, like other members who followed him, lauded the way in which he had always put his principles above his party and would fight for what he believed would be right.
Sir Teddy thanked the people of Southend, his opponents and the council officers for the way they had taken him and his wife Sheila into their hearts in the years he had been in Parliament for the town.
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