AVELEY, the heart of the UKIP growth in Thurrock. Five years ago, there was just the 24-year-old Tim Aker, walking the streets on his own, with leaflets in his backpack.
In 2012, Robert Ray made the breakthrough. By the end of 2014, their numbers swelled to six in the council chamber.
It is expected that UKIP will win this seat off the Conservatives.
The candidate is local man, Peter Smith. Peter has been working quietly behind the scenes for a number of years and now takes a step into the limelight.
If he wins, it will be the first ward to have all three councillors as UKIP. They may well take a lot of shifting. And if Tim Aker does become MP then both may have to have a long hard look at themselves and their relationship with the electorate.
It is good to see that the other candidates have also stood before and are committed to fighting the seat. Conservative, Theresa Webster would have been pleased with her 28% share of the vote back in December.
Prediction: UKIP gain (but again, it will be interesting to see what the percentage share is. 47% in May 2014 and 40% in Dec 2014.
LIVERMORE John, Independent
O`REGAN John, Labour
SMITH Peter, UKIP
WEBSTER Teresa, Conservative
