Prior to the 1997 general election, there was a boundary review which divided the Basildon seat into two parts, which were added in to two neighbouring seats. Given his small majority, the new Basildon constituency was almost certainly going to be gained by Labour. Amess thus decided to seek re-election elsewhere. In June 1995, Amess was selected for Southend West after the retirement of former Cabinet minister Paul Channon. He was consequently returned to Westminster again in the 1997. Angela Evans Smith won the newly-drawn Basildon seat for Labour by over 13,000 votes.