Essex County Council Elections 2021 (Colchester Edition)
Let’s just be honest, Essex County Council Elections are dull as dishwater. They control Schools, Public Transport, Highways and Social Care. Or in a way act as an agent to deliver them on behalf of the Government.
The town hall is in the County City of Chelmsford (bites fist). However, we won’t get into Colchester who several years ago decided to self-identify as a City with a bizarre overnight badging of the Town by Cllr Gerard Oxford.
Anyhoo, the matter on hand are the elections, and will get into the players. It seems like it will be non-eventual, bar one spicy contest which will be delicious. (I’m overstating that!)
Abbey | Incumbent: Lee Scordis, Labour 🔴
This was a gain from Liberal Democrat’s in 2017 and Cllr Lee Scordis narrowly beating 2 paper candidates. The Conservatives with a 14% gain to Labours 17%.
To be honest, think Lee Scordis has lucked out and the same thing will happen again. It goes to show, that everyone talks about Politics but not many people get up and do anything about it.
Another scraped win with the lowest vote share in the district.
Prediction: Lee Scordis, Labour 🔴 HOLD (Just)
Constable | Incumbent: Anne Brown, Conservatives 🔵
It seems as though Anne is not standing in 2021 and getting real for a moment she had 68% of the vote share. It seems that Cllr Lewis Barber of Lexden and Braiswick is standing. Along with his no socks and loafers.
Cannot see any other outcome in Constable Country.
Prediction: Lewis Barber, Conservatives 🔵 HOLD
Dury | Incumbent: Sue Lissimore, Conservatives 🔵
Sue is standing again, who had nearly 60% of the vote share along with 18% increase in 2017. She is very popular in the area (I live here) so think it is cut and dry.
Although her main opponent is Isobel Merry from the Liberal Democrat’s who once called residents in Prettygate ‘Bigots’ in a Facebook post.
It is strange she is standing but due to no literature coming through the letterbox she will just be a paper candidate.
Prediction: Sue Lissimore, Conservatives 🔵 HOLD
Maypole | Incumbent: Dave Harris, Labour 🔴
The marrow man of mirth enjoyed 50% vote share last time around with a gain of 5%. The Ex Labour and now Liberal Democrat Tony Emment is standing against him, but hope his omni aggressive online persona is not transferred to canvassing.
Chris Piggott, Conservative along with Dave are pulling double duty (both will save on leaflet costs) and will go head to head. Berechurch is Will Quince country so it shows that people vote for people.
Prediction: Dave Harris, Labour 🔴 HOLD
Mersea and Tiptree | Incumbent: John Jowers, Conservatives 🔵
A local area for local people, we will have no Socialist paradises here.
Now that John Akkers is not standing the vote share will be around 70%.
Prediction: John Jowers, Conservatives 🔵 HOLD
Mile End and Highwoods | Incumbent: Anne Turrell, Liberal Democrat’s 🟠
It looks like Anne Turrell is not standing this time around. I am not even going to say the obvious mean thing. I am a reformed character.
Talking of Reform, Diane Baker is standing for them, a right wing version of Tony Emment who have both been in more parties than a teenage Amanda De Cadenet.
The golden ticket has been given to David King, which is no doubt a slap in the face for Mr Mile End and Litter King Martin Goss.
I’m sure David King has already budgeted for his new personal County Councillor allowance for 2021–2024 and has asked for curtain measurements in advance for his Chelmsford office. I’m thinking he will go for terracotta with embossed gold leaf print.
Prediction: David King, Liberal Democrat 🟠 HOLD
Parsons Heath and East Gates | Incumbent: John Baker, Liberal Democrat 🟠
Is Parsons Heath an actual place? After a quick google, apparently it is. A quite diverse ward that has actually over the past few years been kinder to the Conservatives with gains in the St Johns area.
Cllr Simon Crow, Castle Ward is the main opponent so will be interesting to watch this one.
Can see a collapse in vote share and next time out will see this ward change hands.
Prediction: John Baker, Liberal Democrat 🟠 HOLD
Stanway and Pyefleet | Incumbent: Kevin Bentley, Conservatives 🔵
I am not sure Mike Lilley (Labour) has ever been so far south. It was a delight to see his name.
As I have spoken about extensively in my last blog especially about Stanway, I am not sure of the area’s identity anymore.
The local Stalwart Lesley Scott-Boutell, Liberal Democrat is standing and had a good showing last time at 23%.
Kevin is the Highways boss for Essex County Council , the Prince of Potholes and the main antagonist of the Ipswich Road Roundabout saga.
This will be closer than anticipated, and can see this area becoming more politically diverse than it currently is.
Prediction: Kevin Bentley, Conservative 🔵 HOLD
Wivenhoe and St Annes | Incumbent: Julie Young, Labour 🔴
Now the fun begins.
Last time around Julie lost 3.4% vote share with Mark Cory, Liberal Democrat gaining 18.4%. Then in 2019 he took nearly 70% in the locals.
Wivenhoe is a Liberal stronghold, but Julie Young is popular. In my last blog the equal predicted seats won by Labour and Lib Dems will cause a power struggle on who runs Colchester. Mark Cory has everything to gain and also to lose.
I predict it will be close, but the Green and Reform paper candidates will eat up the vote difference. This ward is a perfect example of the benefits of an Alternative Voting system, as on 2nd votes Mark Cory would win easily.
Both also could have ambitions of becoming Parliamentary Candidates and will be interesting to follow Mark Cory’s career from this point on.
Julie will lose vote share, but not enough. However, I can see her becoming the big winner and based on this contest could end up being leader of the Council as well. All with a reduced majority.
It will be very harsh on Mark, who may have been better advised to make an electoral pact to stand aside. However, you should always go for it as politics is a contact sport.
It could also go horribly wrong for Labour, if they lose Wivenhoe then Greenstead will be next. High stakes indeed.
Prediction: Julie Young, Labour 🔴 HOLD
There you have it, new faces but same old parties. No change. The only borderline wards are Abbey, Stanway & Pyefleet and Wivenhoe & St Anne’s.
Told you it was dull as dishwater.
Remember, talk is cheap. Only getting and being involved week in week out makes change happen.
