Prior to the election, the council was under no overall control, being led by a coalition of two local parties, the Canvey Island Independent Party (which only contested seats on Canvey Island) and the People's Independent Party (which only contested seats on the mainland part of the borough). The election resulted in a clean sweep for the two local parties.[1] The Conservatives lost all their seats.[2] The People's Independent Party were left with a majority, but it was agreed that they would continue to form a joint administration with the Canvey Island Independent Party.[3]
Background
Castle Point was a traditionally Conservative council. The Conservative controlled the council from 1976 until 1995, when the Labour Party won a majority.[4] The Conservatives retook control in 2003. This majority lasted until 2022 (aside from a period of no overall control from 2014 to 2015),[5] when the council again fell into no overall control.
In the 2023 election, the People's Independent Party gained 6 seats with 35.4% of the vote, the Canvey Island Independent Party held the 6 seats they were defending with 20.2%, and the Conservatives lost 6 with 28.5%. Following the 2023 election, the CIIP and PIP had formed a majority coalition.[6]
Boundary changes
Castle Point usually elects its councillors in thirds, on a 4-year cycle. However, following boundary changes, all councillors will be elected to the new wards.[7] The change reduces the number of councillors by 2. The electoral system is due to change to whole council elections every 4 years following a vote by the council.[8]
The Statement of Persons Nominated, which details the candidates standing in each ward, was released by Castle Point Borough Council following the close of nomination on 8 April 2024.[12] Thirteen of the thirty-five Conservative nominations were rejected as invalid.[13] An asterisk denotes an incumbent councillor seeking re-election.