THURROCK Labour group has issued details of ten of its candidates who will fight seats in the forthcoming Thurrock Council elections, due to take place on Thursday, 5 May.

Elections will take place in 16 local wards: Aveley & Uplands, Belhus, Chadwell St Mary, Grays Riverside, Grays Thurrock, Little Thurrock Blackshots, Little Thurrock Rectory, Ockendon, Orsett, South Chafford, Stanford East & Corringham Town, Stifford Clays, The Homesteads, Tilbury Riverside and Thurrock Park, Tilbury St Chads and West Thurrock & South Stifford.

One of the most interesting battles could be in West Thurrock and South Stifford, where current councillor Qaisar Abbas will be standing for the Conservatives after his recent defection from the Labour group.

Cllr Abbas announced his switch after losing a local nomination battle when another candidate, long time Thurrock resident David Harris, was elected by five votes to three among the selection panel to stand.

Though he had clearly been willing to stand to represent Labour, as he has done since winning the seat in 2019, Cllr Abbas then turned on the Labour group, accusing it of being "riddled with bullying, discrimination, Islamophobia and nepotism".

After joining the Conservatives he announced: "I will continue to fight for and protect the best interests of residents of Purfleet-on-Thames, West Thurrock and South Stifford and wider communities I have worked with over the years as a Conservative councillor.

"I am very disappointed with Labour party's decision but I wish to go on serving the local community of West Thurrock and the local Muslim community."

Conservative leader of the council, Cllr Rob Gledhill – who will be defending his own seat in Little Thurrock Rectory, greeted the arrival of Cllr Abbas in his party's ranks by saying: "This is great news for the Conservative Group and indeed for the residents of West Thurrock and South Stifford.

"Qaisar is well known as a hard working councillor for his residents and I know he will do all he can to retain his seat in May and continue that fantastic work."

In his election pledge to residents, Mr Harris says: "I have lived and worked in Thurrock for the past 40 years. As a Labour councillor, I promise that I will listen and be an advocate for all residents."

Details of the ten Labour candidates named and their initial election pledges can be found below.

Bukky Okunade (Tilbury Riverside and Thurrock Park)

I want to thank the residents of Tilbury Riverside and Thurrock Park for repeatedly electing me to represent the ward as a Labour Party councillor. I am honoured to serve as their councillor, and I take my duties very seriously.

Tilbury and Thurrock Park residents should live in a safe, decent, and comfortable community; however, poor air quality, deteriorated road surfacing, antisocial behaviour, and persistent fly-tipping must be addressed for this to be possible.

I have worked in collaboration with residents, the police, and the Council's community safety team to address a variety of issues. Achieving a decrease in antisocial behaviour in some areas of the ward was a positive outcome.

I have kept pressing the council to investigate the poor air quality and deteriorating road surfaces that deeply affect much of Tilbury. I plan to continue my campaign to address the dust pollution issues and to make sure that Tilbury roads are not overlooked for improvements.

David Harris (West Thurrock and South Stifford)

I have lived and worked in Thurrock for the past 40 years. I am standing as the Labour Party candidate in West Thurrock, South Stifford and Purfleet-on-Thames to represent the views of the residents.

I know that HGVs continue to blight our roads morning to night, that bin collections are still a problem for many homes, and our area isn't always kept as clean as it we want. Regeneration in the ward has also been promised for many years by finally should appear soon.

West Thurrock, South Stifford and Purfleet-on-Thames is an exciting, diverse place with homes, factories, shopping centre and a special view of the river.

Lynn Worrall (Grays Thurrock)

As a Labour councillor, I promise that I will listen and be an advocate for all residents. I am proud to be your Councillor in Grays and ask you to support me again in the upcoming May election.

In the time I've been your councillor I have worked with many of you to stop development on Elm Road Park. The next step is to ensure the park is designated a green space so we don't have to fight to save it a third time.

I have fought against the demolition of the adult college and we now have a commitment that residents will be consulted on any future development on the site.

There are fantastic community gems in this ward, Thameside theatre is one. It faced closure from this council and it's disgraceful. As a regular visitor I will fight with the community to always keep our Thameside open.

Mark Hooper (Stifford Clays)

I am married with two grown up children and two grandchildren and have lived in Thurrock for 10 years.

Stifford Clays deserves more than dirty streets, pot-holed roads, and a blight of anti-social behaviour. As your councillor I would fight to ensure a clean area, more viable police presence to stop anti-social behaviour and parking for residents by their local shops so they can use them when they need.

My role working within health and social care has made me passionate about people overcoming challenges to enabling all to meet their potential. If elected, I would bring the same passion and hard work to representing the people of Stifford Clays.

Mark Hurrell (Belhus)

Thurrock is my home: I was born and bred here, educated in Thurrock and now work locally. I have three beautiful children and three grandchildren.

Alongside my own family I want all families in Belhus to have a nice home to raise their children and grandchildren, good jobs and lovely parks and theatres to visit right here where they live. Sadly it's not what I'm seeing at the moment.

If elected as your councillor in Belhus I will protect the green spaces we value, make sure the council fixes the damp and mould problems once and for all, push the police for more visible officers on our streets to stop anti-social behaviour.

As the Labour councillor for Belhus, I promise that I will be there, working hard, for the residents all year round.

Martin Kerin (Grays Riverside)

I am pleased to be standing again as the Labour candidate for Grays Riverside in the 2022 Local Elections. I am seeking to be elected by the people for the third time – another four years to fight for my community. In the past eight years, I have always put my ward first, and fought for the priorities of my residents.

If I am re-elected, I want to work with the community to: tackle anti-social behaviour with more CCTV, protect our precious green spaces with 'Green Space Designation' and fight for all homes to be free of mould. If the community place their trust in me again, I will not let them down.

Ruth Clapham (Ockendon)

I am standing to be the Labour party councillor for Ockendon because I believe that the community needs a strong voice that is on their side.

As a local campaigner, I have fought to protect our precious green spaces that are used and loved by local people. If I am elected, I will work with the police to reduce anti-social behaviour.

As a local resident, I want value for money from the council. want to see money spent on improving our neighbourhood - not wasted on unwanted new council offices. I will always listen to what my residents want, and act on their priorities.

Sara Muldowney (Chadwell St Mary)

I am a proud Thurrock resident of 20 years and proud Labour councillor for Chadwell St Mary since 2019.

During these three years, I have worked hard to represent local residents and make their voices heard by the council. I am proud to have worked to halt the sale of Flat Irons Field and to secure funding for a new playground on Orsett Heath.

If re-elected, I promise to continue listening and to always do my best to represent the views of local residents and campaign on the issues that mean the most to them.

Steve Liddiard (Tilbury St Chads)

I am the father of two boys and have lived and worked in Thurrock since 1985. I have been in the Labour party for more than 20 years and the councillor for Tilbury St Chads for the past 12 years.

I'm committed to holding the council to account on air pollution, the closure of Tilbury nurseries, better roads and green spaces. I will continue my work to ensure every resident has a decent place to live and to reduce residents' isolation by improving access to services through community hubs and volunteering.

I am looking forward to continuing my work for the residents of Tilbury St Chads and continuing to be their voice in the council chamber.

Sue Shinnick (South Chafford)

I am asking you to put your trust in me and elect me as your ward councillor in the May elections. I have spoken to residents who feel let down by their current councillors putting party politics ahead of issues important to them.

As your councillor I would fight to have a visible police presence on the on the streets, so that you and your family feel safe both day and night. I will tackle the parking problems outside the schools and fight against the proposed cuts to the local bus services.

By voting for change in you will be taking the first step to having a councillor that puts you first all year round.