Bid by independent campaigner to return to borough council chamber
By Naomi Greenaway - Local Democracy Reporting Service 19th Jun 2026
A FORMER councillor is looking to make a comeback and win a seat on Thurrock Council so he can once again "put residents first."
Neil Speight, who previously represented Stanford-le-Hope West, has announced he will stand as an independent candidate in Grays Town at the upcoming by-election.
Though he doubled his local vote in the Stanford South ward in May's local elections, Mr Speight was ousted from the council.
Mr Speight served on the council during periods of intense financial and political pressure, especially as a result of Thurrock's financial crisis in recent years.
He has often been a vocal critic of how the authority communicates with residents and has challenged senior figures over transparency.
By-elections in Grays, set for July 23, follow the resignations of two recently-elected Reform UK councillors, Marc Stanley (Grays Town) and Joe Soper (Grays Riverside), who stepped down days after being elected.
Reform UK now currently holds 43 of the 49 seats on the council.
Mr Speight said: "I have a track record of supporting local residents in need and that will continue if I am elected and I will be a strong, independent local voice challenging the council on its performance, its finances and its direction.
"I don't bring politics to the table – I bring local issues and need, which is what a local councillor should do.
"I say leave all the political fighting and dogma to Westminster."
He has pledged to 'put Grays and residents first' and to represent the interests of all residents, particularly older people.
Mr Speight ran for a seat for Stanford-le-Hope South in this year's local elections on May 7 and secured 1,283 votes from residents, however he did not win a seat.
At the moment representing Grays Town are Reform councillors Milena Bingley and Michael Kevin Shakespeare.
Mr Speight says local issues in the area include filthy streets, piling rubbish and a need for regeneration in the town centre.
Prospective candidates have until Friday, 26 June to put themselves forward if they would like to run in the by-elections. Other thanb Mr Speight's declaration there has been no formal confirmation of other candidates though, ahead of the opening of candidate declarations and submission of nomination applications, the Conservatives said Joglur Rahman will stand in Grays Town for therm, with Labour declaring Amin Hoque as their prospective candidate.
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