The Labour East group said it was saddened to hear of his death and its thoughts were with his friends and family.
Mr Newmark, on Twitter, external, said: “While we had differing political beliefs he was always a kind, gentle man and well respected locally.
“I send my deepest condolences to all his family.”
Aston Line, the chairman Southend Labour said he was “saddened” to learn of his death and his thoughts were with Mr Hurst’s “friends and loved ones”.
The constituency’s current MP is the Foreign Secretary James Cleverly.
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