Shoeburyness

Curiously enough, since 1998 there have been six council by-elections in Southend-on-Sea, two in Chalkwell, the others in Shoebury (one in West Shoebury). There has been no date set for the by-election to replace Mike Assenheim, but it will happen soon enough.

Labour last won here in 2001 when all-up elections meant that three were elected. Anne Chalk came third, and therefore was elected, only to then have to resign two months later when it was discovered that she was ineligible. This was our only victory on the current boundaries. Labour won Shoebury ward in 1996 on the old boundaries (when the borough was made up of only 13 wards, as opposed to the current 17).

This ward can be won by Labour, in spite of a recent record that has seen our vote share declining. We have to accept that our campaigning here has not been good enough in recent years, something that we should put right in the upcoming by-election.

Labour's performance

	Labour candidate	position	votes	%
2001	Anne Chalk George Saville Linda Cook	3rd 5th 6th	1485 1264 1148	39.3 40.2 44.8
2001 (Jul)	George Saville	2nd	400	38.4
2002	Anne Chalk	3rd	479	26.7
2003	Anne Chalk	2nd	472	33.0
2004	Anne Chalk	2nd	561	26.5
2006	Anne Chalk Charles Willis	3rd 5th	707 438	26.8 29.8
2007	Anne Chalk	3rd	481	20.5
2007 (Sep)	Anne Chalk	3rd	460	23.5
2008	Chris Gasper	3rd	250	11.3
2010	Chris Gasper	3rd	579	12.5
2011	Chris Gasper	3rd	328	12.0
2012	Chris Gasper	3rd	271	12.8
2014	Maggie Kelly	3rd	404	15.3
2015	Maggie Kelly	3rd	929	18.1
2016	Maggie Kelly	5th	236	9.4