THURROCK Conservatives have launched their local election campaign, promising to earn back trust in politics while tackling issues in housing, education and the environment.

Cllr Phil Anderson, leader of Thurrock Conservatives, outlined a “clear vision” to prospective and current Conservative councillors as the party begin their bid to take control of Thurrock Council from Labour on May 3.

Key points within the manifesto include cutting the council house waiting list by building new houses, improving the council house repairs system, freeing schools from local authority control and ensuring Thurrock’s young people are trained and ready for the jobs that will be created in the area over the next 15 years.

Tories say they will also fight proposals to remove police stations from Thurrock towns and aim to restore faith in politics by reforming the local election system and informing local people where councillors stand on national issues.

Cllr Anderson said: “This manifesto is what we stand for. We can tell people ‘this is what we will do for you and this is why you should elect a Conservative administration for Thurrock’.”

Jackie Doyle-Price, Thurrock MP, was at the launch and said: “These are our visions and values and what we aim to do if we take over the council in May.

“It’s going to be a tough fight, but lets take the fight to Labour.”

Stephen Metcalfe, MP for East Thurrock, who was also there, added: “The local elections are so important. This manifesto is a vehicle on which to fight those elections.”