THIRTEEN months after announcing he was on the verge of quitting politics and was stepping down as leader of the borough's independent group, a Thurrock councillor says he has regained his thirst for the job and he is planning to carry on.

In December 2019 Aveley & Uplands ward councillor Luke Spillman said he was done with the pressures of front line politics and was seeking a quieter life.

And, after being given an extra year on the council after last year's elections were called off, he shocked many in local political circles by announcing he was joining the Conservative group – despite the fact that for several years he had been one of its staunchest critics.

In September 2019 he said: "'This Conservative administration have squeezed any democratic accountability and scrutiny out of the system. Competence has dropped to unprecedented lows."

Cllr Spillman's additional year of tenure was expected to be his last but now he plans – whenever the next elections are held (this year's are already in doubt) to battle on.

He plans to quit his current seat in Aveley & Uplands and stand in South Ockendon, where he will campaign alongside current Tory incumbent Andrew Jefferies.

"I've got a passion for housing and the chance to apply that passion to support the cabinet"

Cllr Spillman spoke to Thurrock Nub News about his change of heart – and how being sidelined by Covid has helped recharge his batteries.

He says: "Let's face it the next few years are going to be very very difficult for every council and in the country. I've been working for another council's homeless team since February. I was seconded to the rough sleepers initiative for most of it and have been out visiting homeless residents for most of the pandemic. I know the pressures Thurrock is facing.

"I've got the skills and experience to make a contribution to the effort to dig Thurrock out of the consequences of Covid. I've got a passion, housing, and the chance to apply that passion to support the cabinet. It felt wrong not to roll my sleeves up and get stuck in. We've all got to do our bit.

"Plus I've been cooped up for so long during this pandemic that I've completely recharged my batteries. Leading a group was draining, and not something I enjoyed too often.

"You get sucked into all-to-often petty internal party and council matters, attend meetings almost every evening, and spend the rest of your time reading every set of minutes of the meetings you couldn't attend, because you were in another meeting. Being able to focus 100% on resident casework and specific policy issues and projects has re-ignited my spark.

The complicated world of Thurrock politics

"I was looking forward to getting out to campaign this year. However this awful second wave has rightfully put that on hold until we've seen off the virus. My campaign was already limited to leafleting; you can't be knocking on doors.

"However, the infection rate and resulting restrictions this month will prevent this. It's frustrating as I'm a big door-to-door campaigner. 99 per cent of people appreciate the chance to discuss their views, even the people who won't vote for you.

"The frustration comes as we are at the point that more people than ever need the assistance of a councillor, yet access to councillors is more restricted that it's ever been as a result of the pandemic. I worry about people who need help but don't have the means to access online services.

"One thing I have found distasteful, both nationally and locally, are the attempts by some to cash in politically out of the pandemic. Call me old fashioned, but I think climbing over people's graves to get votes is something to be frowned upon."

In the wake of ClLr Spillman's announcement to join the Conservatives last year, he and fellow former independent councillor Jack Duffin came in for considerable criticism. One man who stepped into the limelight to defend them was former councillor Charlie Key, who told Thurrock Nub News they still had great value to offer the council.

It's likely that Cllr Spillman will get similar criticism for jumping from the Aveley & Uplands ship to another ward – but, as ever, time will tell in the complicated world of Thurrock politics.