VOTERS in the West Thurrock and South Stifford ward are heading to the polls tomorrow.

The by-election comes following the death of Labour ward councillor and former council leader Andy Smith.

Ahead of the vote, the Gazette spoke to the three candidates, from Labour, UKIP and the Conservatives, vying for your votes.

We asked them to tell us a bit about them and for their pledges to residents and voters, should they be elected.

Thurrock Gazette: WTSS Tory candidate John Rowles JOHN ROWLES - CONSERVATIVE

"I have been chairman of the Purfleet Community Forum for years and lived in the area for 30 years. I'm a local bloke, notorious for saying what I think.

"My passion is the area I live in, but over the years, we have seen so many developments, none for the better.

"We've had a fantastic increase in population in the area, but not in infrastructure. It's one of my objectives to ensure that changes.

"I would also like to secure improvements in council housing. Having walked around the ward several times, i've seen that some of the council housing is appalling. My son's got a council flat and has had a running battle for a year to get repairs done, which should have been done within hours.

"The Purfleet regeneration plans are also really significant. Everyone will be affected in one way or another and i'm passionate about this aspect of planning and ensuring the regeneration plan benefits everyone. There's so much coming into the area - I want to continue to ensure it's not just houses, but things that will benefit the whole community.

"I want to support the area to make sure we get what we want, not what other people want us to have. From social housing, to roads, to new developments."

Thurrock Gazette: WTSS UKIP Russell Cherry RUSSELL CHERRY - UKIP

"This has been an interesting campaign for me as my first. I have been energised by the support of the people of West Thurrock, Purfleet and South Stifford.

"But nothing has spelled out the need for change more than Labour’s disgraceful scaremongering throughout the entire campaign with regards to healthcare.

"The NHS would always remain free at the point of use under UKIP and it is a shame that Labour have so desperately sought to lie throughout the entire campaign. I believe politics should be about policies, not smears. That's why UKIP is becoming a force for political change in Thurrock and beyond.

"A massive issue for me and UKIP is social housing. People in Thurrock have had enough of being put to the back of the housing queue and it was time we started prioritising locals.

"UKIP would also prioritise housing stock for those brave servicemen and women who have served in our armed forces. We believe that is the right thing to do.

"Labour and the Tories have both let our community down and taken people for granted for far too long. The Tories have nothing to offer and Labour are utterly complacent and think they can win people over with too little, too late gestures on immigration.

"UKIP have always stood and will continue to stand for proper border controls and a controlled immigration policy. The people of West Thurrock, Purfleet and South Stifford have had enough, they know it is time for something new and are turning to UKIP.  It would be my honour to serve them."​

Thurrock Gazette: WTSS election Terry Brooks Labour TERRY BROOKES - LABOUR

"I live in Thurrock with my wife and I work for a major retailer in Grays. Like most of my customers and colleagues I have seen how prices have increased over the past few years, while our wages have stagnated.

"During my years as a Union Rep/Shop Steward I have helped thousands of people with advice and supported them with difficulties at work. I would like to be given the opportunity to represent and help the residents of West Thurrock South Stifford and Purfleet, to help them with a whole new variety of issues.

"I plan to carry on the good work Andy Smith, who was so well known and loved in the area. I will fight hard to protect the lorry ban on London Road, an achievement that Andy had such a pivotal role in.

"I will champion keeping our Council Tax the lowest in Essex, because that is what matters to people at the moment.

"I will champion community engagement during the regeneration of Purfleet.

"I will do my best to keep the streetlights on in Thurrock, they have been turned off by Tory-led councils across Essex.

"Just like Andy I will be active and visible across the area and be reliable and approachable.

"These are just some of the things that have come up on the doorstep and matter to the people in this community. I have spoken to hundreds over the last few weeks, and I hope to speak to many more."

 

The polls open at 7am tomorrow and close at 10pm. To find your nearest polling station, go to www.thurrock.gov.uk.

The Thurrock Gazette will bring you the latest throughout the day. We'll also publish news of the result tomorrow evening.