A LEADING Conservative activist in South Essex, with strong links to East Thurrock MP Stephen Metcalfe and Thurrock councillors has dramatically resigned from the party on air during a radio interview in protest against the government's plans for tighter Covid restrictions.

Charlie Sansom, the chair of South Basildon Conservatives and a strong voice and campaigner inside the Basildon and Thurrock Conservative Federation told BBC Essex he did not agree with the Plan B proposals from the government.

Live this afternoon (Thursday, 9 December) he told BBC Essex interviewer Ben Fryer: "I cannot morally defend a party that I consider to be moving in a very tyrannical direction.

"I have worked tirelessly for the party but my morality; something in my gut feeling; in my stomach, just tells me that this is not right.

"I can't keep my mouth closed about this any more and therefore I have to do what I think is right for me."

Mr Sansom, who has twice stood for the Conservative in local elections, has been a Conservative member for three years and was considered to be a bright young prospect in the local Conservative structure. He was chair of the Conservative branch encompassing the five wards of Langdon Hills, Nethermayne, Pitsea North West, Pitsea South East and Vange.

In the wake of the scandal and fallout from the alleged Christmas party within Downing Street last year and PM Boris Johnson announcing a wave pf 'Plan B' restrictions yesterday, Mr Sansom said he did not agree with the proposals and the time had come for him to make a personal stance.

He said his views were shared by close Conservative associates, while others disagreed with him, but he felt he had to make his own position clear. He said he found the latest Conservative official stance 'very divisive'.

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Mr Sansom also tweeted criticism of the alleged Christmas party at No 10 Downing Street on 18 December 2020. He wrote: "If the same people making the rules, putting fear in our hearts and separating us from our families were so concerned, would they really be having a jolly up?"

You can hear Mr Sansom's comments and decision to quit the Tories via this link.