ON A COLD AND wet Saturday, a few days before the local election, YT interviewed UKIP candidate, Robert Ray near to the Aveley library. Robert exuded a quiet confidence and even said as we departed: “You might just be seeing a bit more of me.”
Of course, we displayed our usual forensic like analysis and tipped a Tory hold (and then went on to Ockendon where we tipped a Lab gain……ho hum).
We looked at the effort, Tim Aker had put in over the last few years and just thought that UKIP might once again come up a little bit short.
But we were wrong and they had, all across the borough, a great night. Apart from Robert, they came second in Belhus, Chadwell St Mary, Grays Riverside and West Thurrock.
They also finished third in nine other wards.
It is interesting to note that Robert felt that the 55-65 year old vote held firm.
We interviewed Robert just after the declaration.
From a quiet interview in a corner of Aveley, Robert, one of nine UKIP candidates voted in, found himself in the media spotlight.
