The best team for Southend-on-Sea

The Labour team in the Southend-on-Sea Borough Council elections 2016 is as follows

Belfairs - Dave Alston

Blenheim Park - Matt Dent

Chalkwell - Taylor J. A. Barrall

Eastwood Park - Sean Ryan Jones

Kursaal - Helen Elizabeth McDonald

Leigh - Matt Zarb-Cousin

Milton - Julian Ware-Lane

Prittlewell - Mike Fieldhouse

Shoeburyness - Maggie Kelly

Southchurch - Ros Sanders

St Laurence - Reg Copley

St Luke's - Donna Michelle Richardson

Thorpe - Rod Birks

Victoria - Ian David Gilbert

West Leigh - Ian David Pope

West Shoebury - Joseph Edward Saunders

Westborough - Anne Patricia Jones

Candidates per party :-

17 Labour

17 Conservative

17 Liberal Democrat

17 Green

16 UKIP

15 Independent

The Independents are actually standing in thirteen wards - in Shoeburyness and Westborough there are two independent candidates standing. Both these wards have seven candidates for voters to choose from, which makes for an unusually crowded ballot paper.

I expect the Joint Administration to retain enough councillors to be able to stay in charge until 2018 (when the next set of elections are due). In fact, I expect nett  Conservative losses, whilst they may also make the odd gain. I predict that the Labour Group will grow, whilst I think further Liberal Democrat shrinkage is likely as well.

I do not expect wins for either the Greens or UKIP, although their presence could easily affect results. They will take votes from Labour and the Conservative, and it remains to be seen what this will mean in terms of who wins where.

Shock, horror! Labour Party tries to win elections plot

It clearly comes as a surprise to some, but the Labour Party is trying to win elections. Yes, we are trying to beat our opponents and have our candidates selected.

In Southend-on-Sea the Labour Group on the Council currently numbers nine. Some think Labour's plans to increase that number amounts to a plot.

So, by dastardly scheme we, the local Labour Party, have put a candidate up in Westborough who is going to attempt to win.

But hang on, didn't we also do that last year. Ah yes, another plot! Oh, and in previous years too - clearly an underhand attempt to give the electorate some choice!

We have candidates standing in every ward, as we always do. We are also encouraging voters to choose their Labour candidates in preference to whoever else is standing.

Some excitable persons may describe this as a plot, I rather think 'democracy' is more apt appellation.

Westborough Voice - Back Anne in May