BNP join election battle

Emma Colgate, who stood in the Basildon and East Thurrock ward in last May's general elections, will contest the Grays Riverside seat made available after Labour's deputy leader, Denise Cooper, announced she was leaving the area.

The BNP have previous form in the Grays ward after Nick Geri won a by-election in September 2003 only to be voted off the following May.

Ms Colgate will face competition for the seat from Labour's Val Morris-Cook, the Tories' Sharon Ponder and the Liberal Democrat candidate, John Livermore, who also made a late entry.

Tory candidate, Ms Ponder, said: "Grays suffered from years of neglect under Labour. I think it is totally hypocritical that just one year after losing control of the council, they are now preaching about issues that they either created or failed to deal with when they had the chance.

"Grays needs a councillor who can work as part of the controlling administration on the council in order to support the initiatives against crime and anti-social behaviour which are already showing results.

"We also need someone who can work with local businesses to fight for more investment in the town.

"I am delighted with the work which the Tories have done after just one year in office. They have committed tens of thousands of pounds to fund extra police operations, something that has never happened before and also massively increased the amount of funding available for street cleaners. However, there is more work still to be done and voting Conservative is the only way to take Grays forward."

Lib Dem John Livermore said: "I have lived in Thurrock all my life and I have seen a lot of changes not necessarily all for good.

"I have contested elections for the Grays Riverside before.

"If I am elected, I would like to: See a council which puts people before politics; be a watchdog for the residents of Grays Riverside on Thurrock Council; fight for better amenities for Grays Riverside; root out waste, fight for an improved and efficient delivery of services by the council on behalf of residents; see improved recycling facilities; fight for improved health facilities in the Thurrock as we do not have our own general hospital; ensure that all mobile phone masts are subject to planning control and that residents are fully consulted about their siting in the area."

The BNP have also surprisingly entered a candidate for the Homesteads ward, which covers Stanford-le-Hope.

John Cotter will contest the seat, which was made up for grabs when Carl Mangion was booted off the council last week for failing to attend meetings, with Labour's Tony Benson, Tory, Pauline Tolson and Liberal Democrat, Paul Riley.

Mr Riley, who is an office manager in the city and a governor at a special needs school, said: "I know what it means to be responsible and accountable. I take my job seriously and the things I do. I enjoy problem solving and getting to the bottom of things. I am respectful of other people's opinions and I am used to making tough decisions. I hate waste and I am fair minded

"We were attracted to the area by its, quiet community and calm surroundings. Now this seems to be under threat with the proposed port construction, Thames Gateway, along with the Wharf Road development which will affect how we move about, and the look and feel of our community. It shocked me how hard it was to get a GP for me and my family.

"Like many residents I feel strongly about my community and would like to do something for it. I want to be elected so that I can work hard to: "Be a strong voice and speak up on behalf of fellow residents (silent majority). We are faced with massive developments in which the voice of local residents seem unheard; fight for the reinstatement of Street Wardens; represent the views of residents on the council and report through regular newsletters to residents on my activities on the council; fight for a fair share of improved services for the Homesteads."