THIS year, for the first time in a long time, the Labour group fancy their chances in South Chafford. They were gently encouraged by the result in 2012.
In 2012, the Conservative candidate, Charlie Key won by just 95 votes in what was the lowest turnout of all the wards (19%).
Labour’s hopes may be based on a number of factors
1. A good candidate in Felton Flavius. Ignoring a usual YT paddy about no interviews, Felton has run a number of campaigns for residents as a citizen and in his capacity as a legal advisor. He is good on the doorstep and a hard working campaigner backed up with a good team.
2. UKIP. They only polled 84 votes in 2012 and may poll a few more this year. Having said that, the large BME population in South Chafford ward may not warm to the cut of the UKIP cloth. However, we are sure that Torren Snell and her team have been out and about in the borough.
3. Increase the turnout. Labour may believe that increasing that 19% turnout may favour them.
Having said that they will have to dislodge, cllr Tunde Ojetola. Tunde has been a councillor since 2004 and he is not going to give this seat up lightly.
The Tories won by 185 in 2006, 398 in 2008, 481 in 2010.
So it may well be down to Tunde’s personal popularity, which is always difficult for any councillor and/or candidate to gauge.
Cllr Ojetola certainly gets involved. Sometimes it comes off and sometimes it doesn’t. As you can see from our interview, he is determined to support all that the Harris Federation do in Chafford Hundred, even the plans for a super-primary in the ward.
For some, it is the unchecked free market in operation that is going to end in tears. For others, the alternative is to go back to the dark days of failing schools in Chafford.
We also spoke to cllr Ojetola about the criticism his own MP has made of the planning committee he sits on and a number of other issues.
Good to see Rex Ovire standing. Rex takes the Karate classes at the Drake Road community centre.
YT prediction: Cons hold: 55
South Chafford
Felton Flavius (Lab)
Tunde Ojetola (Cons)
Rex Ovire (Lib Dem)
Torren Snell (UKIP)
what does ejitola think about devonshire road and the weight limit being removed?.
rocket1 are you incapable of ever spelling Tunde’s surname correctly? You always in every one of your comments call him ejitola rather than Ojetola? Is there a reason for the constant misspelling?
yes.
Why?