The People's Independent Party (PIP) is a political party based in Castle Point, England. Formed in 2020[1] by independent councillor Steven Cole and registered in 2022,[2] PIP sought to prevent a Local Plan to build 5,000 homes in the borough, mostly on Green Belt, by taking control of the council from the ruling Conservatives.[3] The party also focuses on expanding activities for children and pushing for consultation on streetlights being turned back on between 1am and 5am. At formation, the party was joined by 4 councillors (including Cole), all originally elected as independents.

Following the results of the 2022 election, the PIP gained 6 seats to take its tally to 10 councillors, ending over 20 years of Conservative control of Castle Point Borough Council.[4] A new joint administration was formed between the PIP and the Canvey Island Independent Party, with Steven Cole becoming Deputy Leader of the council.[5][6]

In April 2023 Steven Cole stood down as party leader, and Warren Gibson was voted in as leader of PIP and Deputy Leader of the council. In the 2023 election, the People's Independent Party gained a further 7 seats[7] bringing their total up to 17 seats, all of which were taken from the Conservatives. There is 1 remaining seat in the St James' Ward that is Conservative-held, despite losing 21.3% of votes.[8] Current projects include preventing a development in Hadleigh.[9]

References

  1. ↑ "About". The People's Independent Party. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
  2. ↑ "Registration summary". Electoral Commission. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
  3. ↑ "Castle Point: New political party to stop 5,000 home plan". Matthew Critchell. Basildon, Canvey & Southend Echo. 21 March 2021. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
  4. ↑ "Castle Point Borough Council: Tories lose control after nearly 20 years". BBC News. 6 May 2022. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
  5. ↑ "£140k scheme to revitalise playgrounds and open spaces in Castle Point". Sophie England. Yahoo! News. 30 January 2023. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
  6. ↑ "Castle Point's new council administration to scrap local plan". Lewis Berrill. Basildon, Canvey & Southend Echo. 27 May 2022. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
  7. ↑ "Latest Election Results".
  8. ↑ https://www.castlepoint.gov.uk/download.cfm?doc=docm93jijm4n7456.pdf&ver=12868
  9. ↑ "Hundreds oppose new estate of 173 homes on green belt in Hadleigh". Echo. 2022-08-27. Retrieved 2023-05-17.


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