IT looks like it is going to be a fascinating local election in Thurrock.
It is a classic three-way high to see who will run Thurrock Council for the next two years.
Voting takes place on May 5th.
Our observations are as follows.
Aveley and Uplands
Robert Ray has bowed out. There are no independent candidates. Ukip have the housing specialist Luke Spillman. Labour have Judith Pothecary,, who is the mother of the portfolio holder for public protection and Conservatives welcome back the former chair of planning, Georgette Polley.
Belhus
Mayor Sue Gray won’t let go of this easily but she has Buckles Lane showman John Biddall fighting for the Tories and local hairdresser Angela Sheridan hoping Belhus gets a purple rinse.
Chadwell St Mary
Labour veteran will have the political fight of his life to keep this away from young Ukipper Matthew Torri. This seat will be pivotal.
Chafford Hundred and North Stifford
Former Thurrock Council leader Gary Hague defends his seat despite what can only be described as a "low key last four years".
Corringham and Fobbing
It is a shame that Conservative Andrew Roast has stood down. In his place is young Aaron Watkins. Labour stalwart Vincent Offord is standing. As for Ukip, the editor of Thurrock Enquirer, Neil Speight is standing for them.
East Tilbury
Veteran Independent councillor Barry Palmer has stood down so this could got a number of ways. Three relative unknowns in a ward that went UKIP In 2015.
Grays Riverside
Former mayor Tony Fish attempts to make a comeback. Two newcomers from the other parties.
Grays Thurrock
Thurrock Council leader John Kent fights his new ward (He was Grays Thurrock).
Little Thurrock Blackshots
Former mayor Joy Redsell defends her seat against two parties that have gone close but not that close.
Ockendon
Can hard working Conservative Barry Johnson defend his seat agains the purple wave in the form of local businessman David Potter?
Orsett
Orsett councillor Sue Little clearly loves her ward but she has former mayor Carl Morris on the comeback trail…
South Chafford
From Chafford Charlotte to Chafford Sue. Labour always seem to fancy their chances here and always lose…Always a terribly low turn out.
Stanford East and Corringham Town
This may be one of the most fascinating ward battles of all. Terry Hipsey step across to a new ward and Terry is some campaigner but he has Tim Aker’s right hand man Jack Duffin to contend with as well as BBC sports reporter Stuart Smith.
Stanford-le-Hope West
Did Terry make Terry run? Community champion Terry Piccolo has a chance to make this ward his own.
The Homesteads
This seat has been Tory for a long time now. Ukip have gone close and now they have the local businessman and spiritual father of Ukip in Thurrock, Clive Broad. Might well be a barometer regarding Ukip’s stock.
Tilbury St Chad’s
UKIP would love to take this seat and went so so close (5 votes) in 2015 but they may have their work cut out with Lynn Worrall.
West Thurrock & South Stifford
Oliver Gerrish has been a councillor for eight years now and learned how to defend a seat from the late Andy Smith. The others will still fancy their chances though.
