Monday 5 May 2014

State of independence?

The Borough Council election for the Southchurch Ward, on 22nd May, would seem to be a two-horse race between the Tories and the Independent candidate.

The independent candidate, Derek Kenyon, was the first to issue campaign literature. Of course there is there is the obligatory photograph of Southend's very own Man Who Would Be King - Councillor Ron Woodley. Interestingly, Mr Kenyon is a former Council official who is now retired. As he was an officer from 2000 until retirement, he has worked solely under Conservative adminisatrations, so I wonder how far he supports the Tories' "way of doing things".

There was a time when elected Councillors saw the Officers as "the fourth party" on the Council, and sought to hold them accountable for their actions. More recently the Councillors and Officers have wanted to be seen as being on the same team. I would hesitate to describe Mr Kenyon as a gamekeeper turned poacher, as there is still a chance he stills sees himself as the former.

The Conservatives are fielding a first-time candidate, Sue Abrahams, so they may be feeling nervous about holding the seat against the Independents. This is very much the case in many Wards across the Borough. If the independents out-poll the Tories, they could then seek partners fom other parties to form an administration. I wouldn't rule out them forming an administration with the Tories, despite their seemingly anti-Tory rhetoric. Councillor Woodley may well emerge as the king-maker or even the King himself.