Labour make good progress in Rochford and Southend East

The best result in Rochford and Southend East for Labour in twenty years, a testament to the hard work put in by Ashley Dalton and her team.

election	candidate	votes	%	place	Con majority
2017	Ashley Dalton	17465	37.0	2nd	5548
2015	Ian Gilbert	10765	24.7	2nd	9476
2010	Kevin Bonavia	8459	20.3	2nd	11050
2005	Fred Grindrod	12384	31.4	2nd	5490
2001	Chris Dandridge	13024	34.8	2nd	7034
1997	Nigel Smith	18458	39.7	2nd	4225

From what I have been told the strong Labour wards (by those who took a keen interest in last night's count) here are still strong, making us very hopeful of good results in the 2018 local elections.

Some gains are even a possibility, although I am mindful of tempting fate.

I expect a different shaped constituency by the time of the next election, although I do realise another snap election is always possible. With new boundaries we may see a seat that is even more challenging for Labour's Parliamentary aspirations.  However, the next set if elections that we know e face are the local elections next May, and there enough here to make us very confident of good results.

James Duddridge boasted that this was his highest number of votes so far; I would remind him that he needed it. Labour is a mere 409 votes behind Duddridge's 2005 result.

RSE hustings: a tale of absence

Ashley Dalton speaks

Having had my own hustings cancelled I went to see the Rochford and Southend East event.  This was held at Belle Vue Baptist Church last night, and a good crowd turned out to watch and take part in the two hour proceedings.

The biggest loser on the night was James Duddridge. Quite how he imagined it is a good idea to avoid a hustings is beyond me. His absence not only smacks of political cowardice, but is an affront to those he claims to represent. I do not care what excuse he may have, as a candidate you make yourself available as much as possible.

Ashley Dalton (Labour) was the standout candidate. Clear, concise, and articulate. She will make an excellent Member of Parliament. Simon Cross (Green) had his moments, and made a couple of good jokes. The remainder appeared lacking in substance, and were clearly outshone in virtually every question asked by Labour's Ashley.

All candidates opposed the proposals to downgrade Southend Hospital's A&E facilities, and this is welcome, even if some were slow off the mark in this regard.

Don't let the Tories downgrade Southend Hospital & devastate social care

Ashley Dalton on Healthcare

The best choice for Southend

Ashley Dalton and Julian Ware-Lane

Nominations are closed and we now know who is seeking to represent Southend at Westminster.

It boils down to a continuation of cuts to police number, under-funding of local schools, downgrading of accident and emergency provision at Southend University Hospital. If you think these are good things then you should vote for the Conservative candidates.

If you do not think the destruction of public services is a good idea then you have to vote for your Labour candidates. Vote for any of the other candidates just makes the Conservatives job easier.

It may not be fair (and I am a long-standing advocate for electoral reform) but this is the reality in the current first-past-the-post system.

For your hospital, your school, your police - vote for Ashley Dalton or Julian Ware-Lane.

Here are the candidates:

Rochford and Southend East

Ashley Dalton - Labour
James Duddridge - Conservative
Peter Gwizdala - Liberal Democrat
Simon Cross - Green
Neil Hookway - UKIP
Ron Woodley - Independent

Southend West

Julian Ware-Lane - Labour
David Amess - Conservative
Lucy Salek - Liberal Democrat
Dominic Ellis - Green
John Stansfield - UKIP
Tino Callaghan _ Southend Independent Association
Jason Pilley - Independent

Only Labour can beat the Tories in Rochford and Southend East

Labour are a consistent  second here, a feat that Ashley Dalton, selected as Labour camdidate earlier this week, will be keen to improve on.

This chart shows the relative vote shares in 2015

The Labour record here

 

1983	Conor O'Brien	15.9%	3rd
1987	David Scully	17.8%	3rd
1992	Graham Bramley	27.4%	2nd
1997	Nigel Smith	39.7%	2nd
2001	Chris Dandridge	35.8%	2nd
2005	Fred Grindrod	31.4%	2nd
2010	Kevin Bonavia	20.3%	2nd
2015	Ian Gilbert	24.7%	2nd

Ashley Dalton, Labour's parliamentary candidate for Rochford and Southend East

* Prior to 1997 this seat had different boundaries and was known as Southend East

Since I represent a ward in Rochford and Southend East I will obviously be very interested. Ashley is a great candidate and will work tirelessly. She has a good team, and however June 8th turns out for us I am certain she will Labour will put up the good fight here.