The East Thurrock Labour candidates for the May 7th local borough elections have been announced.

Four of the five candidates this year are women. 

The four women will join current Labour councillor Phil Smith who is up for re-election.

Standing in the five seats (no local elections in the Orsett ward this year) are:

Ella Vine for Stanford-le-Hope West.

Linda Hall for The Homesteads.

Theresa Wodehouse for Corringham and Fobbing.

Dolly Turner for East Tilbury.

Phil Smith for Stanford East and Corringham Town.

Labour party parliamentary candidate Mike Le-Surf said: "I am delighted that we have a strong field of candidates in the East Thurrock wards and especially pleased that the local party have selected four women candidates in the seats we hope to gain on May 7th." 

"Women are affected much more that men by coalition government cuts and the voice of local women needs to be heard."

"East Thurrock makes up a third of the local council authority boundaries and we need strong Labour representation in this part of the borough." 

"I'll be supporting all Labour candidates in the area over the next few months on local and national issues and will continue the fight against a Lower Thames Crossing that the Conservatives are considering building through Orsett and on to the M25."