LABOUR politicians in Basildon have described last night’s UKIP selection meeting for their next parliamentary candidate as "a circus".
Local councillor, Kerry Smith was selected amid a confusing couple of days that saw two favourites (Natasha Bolter and Neil Hamilton) drop out under the glare of a national spotlight.
But the Labour candidate, Mike Le-Surf and the Labour group leader on Basildon Council, Byron Taylor have both poured scorn on the whole affair.
Parliamentary candidate, Mike Le-Surf said:
"The residents of South Basildon and East Thurrock are very politically aware. Ukip may be providing some kind of sideshow but the main event in the General Election will be the battle for a Labour or a Tory government.
"While I take the threat of Ukip seriously in the constituency my main focus is on Labour policy, beating the current Tory MP and returning this seat to Labour in 2015.
Residents want to see an end to the bedroom tax and make sure our NHS is safe in public hands. Only a Labour government will provide this."
Byron Taylor, Labour Group Leader said:
"UKIP are all over the place and they have been for six months in Basildon. We need to know the real reason Kerry Smith was deselected. The public have a right to know. If he has further skeletons in his closet, the public should know before they are asked to trust him to represent them in parliament.
"As is always the case with UKIP, they put their own egos before the public good. Mike Le-Surf has been working tirelessly, to hold Stephen Metcalfe to account for the damage he is inflicting on our town. We need to ensure Mike is our representative next May for the long term future of Basildon".
