The former leader and deputy leader of Thurrock UKIP, now rebranded as the Thurrock Independents, have joined the Conservative Party.

Roy Jones represented Stanford East and Corringham Town as a Councillor between 2010 and 2014, and Graham Snell represented Stifford Clays as a Councillor between 2010 and 2014.

A statement from  said “We are pleased to be a part of the Thurrock Conservative team. We decided to join them for 2 main reason. Firstly, we got into politics to fight for Brexit. Only the Conservatives can deliver Brexit. With Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour hell bent on keeping us in the EU, we need to back the Conservative to get us out.

"Secondly, they launched “clean it, cut it, fill it” to clean up the borough, they are investing record amounts in education and health, and have achieved a long term balanced budget to secure services.

"Simply, we feel Thurrock is better off under the Conservatives”.