THURROCK'S Conservatives have announced this evening (Thursday, 4 March) they are likely to run a muted election campaign in the run-up to May's borough council elections.

A statement released by the local Tory group says: "The Government have announced that political campaigning can begin from 8 March. But Thurrock Conservatives will not knock on your door until residents can visit their family members.

"The NHS and the Government have done a terrific job of vaccinating over 30 per cent of Thurrock adults but we still have a way to go. We do not believe it is right for political candidates to be knocking on people's doors while residents are still unable to visit their family members. While leafleting can safely be done and socially distanced it isn't appropriate for door knocking due to the current climate.

"We cannot speak for other parties or independent candidates, it would be up to them. However Thurrock Conservatives will be putting the safety of our residents before any electioneering."