Some good news from the Halstead Gazette. The Conservatives now have an overall majority on Castle Point Council. Previously they had been running a minority administration. The change has come about due to the defection of Cllr Stephen Cole, hitherto a Canvey Island Independent Party councillor for Winter Gardens, to the Conservatives.
Cllr Cole said:
“I made this decision after much soul searching, but the announcement of the Canvey Independent Party leadership to align themselves with Ukip makes my position within the party untenable.
“I am not prepared to sacrifice my principles to support a party with the divisive ideology of UKIP.
“I consider myself a representative of Winter Gardens residents first and foremost and the speed of the announcement did not allow me to seek their approval before the merger with UKIP took place.”
Welcome aboard.