IN a valedictory address thanking his supporters, a newly-elected member of Thurrock Council has nominated one of his severest critics for praise for inspiring him to achieve his success.

Cllr Luke Spillman is one of the borough's more controversial characters.

He was first elected to the Aveley and Uplands ward as a UKIP member in 2016. He was part of the staff that supported the UKIP regional MP (and also local councillor Tim Aker) for many years.

Ironically the third-placed candidate in that poll was Georgette Polley who has just regained her position on the council in the neighbouring Belhus ward in Thursday's poll!

Cllr Polley was unable to attend the count as she has been involved in a car accident earlier in the day but Thurrock Nub News can happily now report it was a minor incident and she was not injured.

In January 2018 Cllr Spillman was one of all 17 Thurrock UKIP councillors to quit the party, forming the new Independent Group on the council. He continued to work for Mr Aker who continued as a UKIP Euro MP.

The one constant theme wearing both those political hats was Cllr Spillman's continued and often vehement criticism of the Thurrock conservative group and its senior Cabinet members.

In January this year well-known local commentator Peter Perrin, in one of his occasional blogs on Thurrock Nub News lambasted Cllr Spillman.

He started by saying: "The people of Thurrock need councillors like Luke Spillman and his fellow defectors like turkeys need Christmas."

He went on to roast Cllr Spillman for his duplicity, citing some of the many instances when he has slammed the Conservative administration – and a number of councillors he now calls colleagues.

And it was not the first time Mr Perrin has weighed in with criticism of Cllr Spillman.

However, the blasts from the past by Mr Perrin transpire to have been the inspiration he maybe did not intend.

He found himself 'rejuvenated' and ditched Aveley and Uplands to stand in Ockendon. even then controversy wasn't far behind and Cllr Spillman admitted to being embarrassed after his own election material branded him a 'Covid hero'.

Today (Saturday, 8 May), 48 hours after voters in Ockendon gave him a significant majority of 480 to be their representative for the next three years, Cllr Spillman says: "In May 2020, Mr Perrin wrote an article, specifically mentioning me, demanding that councillors who had intended to stand down, but whose terms were extended as a result of the cancellation of the 2020 local elections, make their intentions for the coming year clear.

"This article really struck a chord with me. Mr Perrin was right, I did need to make a decision. So away I went, inspired by his sage advice. After a few hours it became clear to me what I needed to do. The logical path was clear .... I immediately joined the Conservative Party.

"I had voted Conservative in December 2019. As promised they got Brexit done!

"The 'level-up' agenda, promoting a fairer form of capitalism, spreading investment across the regions of the U.K, was key to the Conservatives 2019 election campaign. We've are already seeing the benefits of this with Thurrock's successful Freeport bid, which will bring billions of investment into borough.

"I was delighted to hear Boris Johnson promise to hire another 20,000 police officers. This commitment is on schedule, as promised.

"My professional passion, is assisting homeless people, and in Robert Jenrick MP, we have a housing minister who provided the funds required to house every single rough sleeper in the country during the pandemic. Mr Jenrick has also committed to eradicate street homelessness altogether by the end of this Parliament.

"We have a superb Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, whose decisive intervention has saved the livelihoods of millions and put the U.K. on the path to record breaking recovery growth rates, which outstrip all economic predictions.

"On the 6th May 2021, I was elected, as a Conservative councillor, with over 55% of the vote, by the residents of Ockendon. I now carry an overwhelming mandate to represent, fight and support the interests of every resident in my ward.

"I must thank the people of Ockendon, our fantastic Thurrock Conservative team, and the Prime Minister, whose solid stewardship of the country during this most difficult of times, has given me this fantastic opportunity to serve. As always, I will work tirelessly to fulfill the duty you have awarded me.

"However, I would also like to thank Mr Perrin, whose inspiration shone a light on this path. I find it only fitting to dedicate my victory to him. Mr Perrin, I doth my cap in gratitude."

Another perception of Cllr Spillman's position was posted on Thurrock Nub News in May last year after criticism of home had reached the level of calling him a 'slug'. Former Conservative councillor Charlie Key reflected more dispassionately and with moderation om the furore around Cllr Spillman. Read his piece here.