It’s Eddie versus Stuart as phoney war in council elections start

YourThurrock understands that Concerned Conservative, cllr Stuart St Clair Haslam has decided not to defend his Little Thurrock seat on May 6th.

Instead it appears that the controversial councillor who was at the centre of the planning committee controversy has decided to take on the former deputy mayor, cllr Eddie Hardiman in the ward of Stanford-le-Hope West.

Many had expected councillor Hardiman to quit local politics after the debacle of “Winegate” back in November last year but it appears that Eddie will let the electorate judge him at the ballot box.

Cllr St Clair-Haslam defected from the Conservative group to the “Gang of Three” called the Concerned Conservatives after the controversy surrounding the Thurrock Council planning committee.

Cllr St-Clair-Haslam has not made himself avaiable for comment but a source close to the councillor has told YourThurrock that he may move to the ward and fight a robust campaign based on Conservative principles.

Councillor Hardiman is defending a 178 majority.