THURROCK'S Labour party members have selected their candidate for the next general, choosing not to support the current council group leader John Kent.

At a vote this morning (Saturday, 29 October), Grays resident Jen Craft was selected.

Cllr Kent had fought the previous two elections, narrowly losing in 2017 by just 345 votes then, along with many Labour candidates, being swept aside in the Boris Johnson inspired 2019 Conservative landslide, losing by more than 10,000 votes.

He had hoped to seek redemption when the next election is called when Thurrock is once again expected to be a marginal seat but he has been denied the opportunity.

Cllr Kent, the longest-serving councillor on the current council, spoke briefly after election, saying: "Many congratulations to Jen Craft on being selected to be The Thurrock Labour candidate at the next General Election. Wishing Jen every success!

"Thank you to all those who have supported me. I am so grateful to all those who have helped me over the past few weeks."

Mrs Craft had the support of former Labour council group leader Cllr Jane Pothecary and a number of activists including former borough mayor Cllr Carl Morris. She also had strong union support and backing from Labour strongholds in East London, including John Biggs, former Mayor of Tower Hamlets.

Her local campaign on Facebook can be seen via this link.