VOTING is underway in the Aveley and Uplands by-election.
Polling stations opened at 7am this morning and will close at 10pm.
The election was called following the untimely death of UKIP ward councillor Maggie O'Keeffe-Ray in October.
In all, there are four polling stations in the ward: Aveley Methodist Church Hall, Shannon Way; The Rowans, Field Road, off Purfleet Road; The Sycamores, Dacre Avenue; and Hugh Delargy Hall, Wood Avenue, Uplands Estate.
Residents have the choice of four candidates:
On his Facebook campaign page, Mr Stringer says: "I am standing as the independent candidate for Aveley and Uplands ward ,
"I am independent therefore have no political allegiance so will do what's best for the community, not what's best for a political party
"Those of you that know me will be familiar with my passion for Aveley and the work I have done with the forum and pta's
"So you know I will fight for Aveley ward and will fight to stop anymore desecration of our green belt land.
"We will not have yet another so called village built on our land and I certainly will fight the council to make sure all the money from these developments forced upon us comes to Aveley and is not used by Thurrock for communities not affected by large scale development."
Mr O'Regan said: "I know from my own family’s experience just how tough it is trying to cope with the cost-of-living crisis with prices rising faster than wages.
"If there is an economic recovery, we’re not feeling it. Only Labour will keep your street lights on, your NHS free, sort out local GP services and keep your council tax the lowest in Essex. UKIP have had the chance to sort out the local issues in Aveley and Uplands.
"They have failed to sort out the bus services and GP services, failed to sort out the fly tipping and failed to get the lorry ban enforced on ship lane. If Aveley and Uplands residents choose Labour I will fight to sort out these issues for them, despite what UKIP say we want the best for Thurrock residents.
"If Aveley choose Labour I will champion whatever issues they ask me to - after all elected councillors are supposed to represent the residents, in fact just this week I've sorted out a huge pile of rubbish on the Shannon Way footpath and written to Thurrock Clinical Commissioning Group about the lack of appointments at Aveley Medical Centre.
"UKIP don't want to get their hands dirty and instead spend their time doing down other parts of the borough. UKIP have failed residents here and I'm standing for Labour to make sure residents can vote for a change."
On her campaign Facebook page, Teresa says: "I am asking you to support me, to fight any more plans for mass housing in Aveley and only the Conservatives can do this.
"Our area is under assault like never before from greedy developers who want to build hundreds of extra houses on any green spaces left. If action isn’t taken now our community will soon resemble East London and enough is enough!
"Labour and UKIP’s candidates don’t live in Aveley. UKIP’s candidate is an MEP and is paid over £78,000 to represent the East of England in the European Parliament. How can he stand up for us in Aveley from Brussels?
"This election is about representing our community and holding the council to account day in, day out. That can’t be done from Hundreds of miles away.
"I live in Aveley and have been active in the local community for many years. Vote for me and you will get a local councillor who will fight for Aveley from Aveley."
On revealing that he will be standing in the ward, Mr Aker said: "This is a by-election that shouldn’t be happening. I thought long and hard about this and it's what my good friend Maggie would have wanted. I am putting myself forward to carry on her work serving the community, my community of Aveley and Uplands. It's where I was born and a place that I love.
"It is clear that in Aveley and Thurrock more widely, people want a local man who understands the community and the issues we face. I've helped residents in Thurrock already and have the resources, time and energy to serve Aveley and Uplands as well.
"I have said as an MEP I am here to serve the local people and it would be my honour do that in the Council chamber, shaking up the cosy Labour and Conservative consensus.
"If I win, I will be donating all of my Councillor allowances to the causes in Aveley that I support and which Maggie did too."
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