AFTER a weekend of public debate about the rights and wrongs of his actions, Stanford councillor Shane Ralph has confirmed his defection from the Independent Group on whose ticket he was elected last May to join the Conservatives on Thurrock Council.

And a second Independent, Ockendon councillor David Potter, has also crossed the floor today - to join Allen Mayes who defected last week.

Today's news has brought a triumphant statement from Conservative leader Rob Gledhill - boasting the fact that his group now has an overall majority.

Cllr Gledhill said: "I welcome both Cllr Ralph and Cllr Potter to the group knowing we have two more community minded Councillors who help Thurrock move from strength to strength.

"Their joining the group brings us to a majority on the council, the first time under my leadership and indeed the first majority council group since 2014."

Cllr Potter, who was elected as a UKIP candidate in 2016 before joining the Independent Group when it was formed, said: "Having stood for the Conservatives in the 80's and with Brexit all but done it was only right that I join the party again. Seeing the difference they have made to the borough in the past 4 years and the passion my new ward colleague Andrew Jeffries has for Ockendon I know I am joining the team that puts residents first."

Cllr Ralph added: "With so much going on in Stanford it is only right that residents have a stronger voice at the council.

"With Conservatives now moving forward with the station regeneration, increasing the amount of parking spaces available to commuters and shoppers in the town - they truly do have Stanford and Corringham residents' issues at heart.

"Now that we have a majority at the council, like we have a majority in Westminster, it means more can be done across Thurrock."