An MP caused cackles in parliament when he asked David Cameron to move the EU referendum forward for his mother, who lives in Forest Gate and who is turning 101 today.

David Amess, conservative MP for Southend West, who was born in Plaistow, put the question about his mother Maud, who worked as a land girl during the Second World War, to the Prime Minister in the House of Commons last Thursday.

He said: “My mother, Maud, was very sad about the death of Baroness Thatcher, but she was delighted that my right hon. Friend committed our party to a referendum on our relationship with the European Union. Given that my mother will be 101 next Thursday, she wondered whether the referendum could be brought forward.”

Mr Cameron responded: “I send my fond regards to my hon. Friend’s mum and wish her a long, happy and healthy life. I remind her that if she votes Conservative in 2015, she will have the in/out referendum that the country deserves.”