THIS is one of these wards which one doesn’t pay much attention to as it has been solidly Tory for some time now.
Although Labour candidate, Ella Vine states that people don’t see their councillor, we have to say that there hasn’t been an occasion when we have interviewed him over the last eight years that someone hasn’t hailed him.
We tend to think that Rob is the type of councillor that has embedded himself in the community and will be pretty hard to shift. Yes, there are trends and national issues but a local campaign and long record can help a great deal.
Rob has been the engine room of the Conservative group for a long time now and has a deep and vital feel for the politics of the place. In our interview, we cover a great deal of issues including the Barking and Dagenham issue, which he believes is vital. Whether it is Malvern Road, Southend Road, The Globe Estate, the residents have come to rely on Rob to keep them in the picture and fight their corner.
Since winning by 525 votes in a two-horse race in 2006, the Tories have always had clear blue water between themselves and their rivals. They won by 136 in 2007 when the BNP polled 318 votes. Rob won by 460 in 2010 when Labour were pretty unpopular nationally. They won by 159 in 2011. Which is not a massive amount.
It gets you wondering whether UKIP could pull off a surprise here? Can UKIP really get over 800 votes here from a zero base? In seats such as Homesteads and Aveley they have laid down roots. But who knows, when it comes to a protest, perhaps many people will turn out to vote at the Europeans and the local council as well.
The Labour candidate, Ella Vine is a breath of fresh air and brings a real enthusiasm to the challenge. She thinks she can win and even if she does not, we do hope she will try again.
YT prediction: Cons hold: 85
Candidates
Natalie Butcher (Lib Dems)
Ella Vine (Lab)
Rob Gledhill (Cons)
Victoria Woodman (UKIP)
I thought this was a very good interview with Rob Gledhill, as always Rob is always in the thick of things and has the standards of a first class Councillor. I am amazed that the Labour Candidate had the audacity to raise the subject that Rob Gledhill is never seen, could the reason be that he is constantly busy trying to get this Labour Council to bring their standards in line with other councils!! I for one would love to have a Councillor like Rob Gledhill. I wish him all the best and good luck.
Well done YT for telling it like it is!
You can always rely on Rob to get the job done, and he always knows what’s going on! I can’t believe the Polish woman says people say they don’t see their councillors – is she in the right ward??? I often see Rob and Tom out and about. He’s got all of our votes!
A Polish Labour candidate. Very apt.
As a resident of Malvern Road fighting an application against a traveller site at the bottom of our road. I would like to say Rob has been fantastic with his help.
For the first time in my life – and with no hesitation I shall be voting Conservative.
I find the comment from Ella Vine about Rob never being seen as rather bemusing. I can phone, text and email – Rob is always at hand.
The hypocrisy of Labour’s Ella Vine. We have the absent Labour member for Ockendon who turns up the minimum times per year to collect his allowances before vanishing for another 6 months. Then we have the Scarlet Pimpernel Labour member for Stanford West who doesn’t even live in Thurrock or even Essex. The Conservatives don’t have an unblemished record, just look at the invisible Conservative member for Aveley Wendy Herd, but to attack Councillor Rob Gledhill is barking up the wrong tree by claiming people don’t see him (how could you miss him he is the Eric Pickles of Thurrock politics).
I feel it is important to say that Rob has been remarkably supportive to all the residents of Malvern Road and neighbouring roads since the whole debacle with the travellers behind Malvern Road began a whole 12 months ago. Rob is always available to discuss matters, he is nothing but supportive and him and Tom Kelly are regularly seen in our neighbourhood. He is an absolute credit to his party and as a result for the first time in my life I will be giving his party my vote. Thank you for your continued great service Rob!