Council election · Thursday, 10 December 2026

Southend-on-Sea Borough: Leigh ward

Name: Southend-on-Sea Borough: Leigh ward council by-election, 10 December 2026
Start: 2026-12-10T07:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-12-10T22:00:00+00:00
Location: Southend-on-Sea Borough: Leigh ward

3 people have said they are standing so far, but the list isn't confirmed yet. Polling day is 10 December 2026. Once nominations close, a few weeks before polling day, the council publishes the official list (the Statement of Persons Nominated), and this page updates from it. Everyone who stands then gets the same page, in the order you will see on the ballot paper.

3candidates so far for one seat

0sourced positions

0with something published

0named sources

At the election of Thursday, 7 May 2026, this seat was won by 529 votes (14.6% of votes cast). Past results describe the past; each election is a new contest.

See the 3 candidates In a hurry? Two-minute guide →

Loading map…

Key datesPolling day in 35 days · register deadline in 19 daysRegister by Tue 24 NovemberPostal vote by Wed 25 November 5pmProxy vote by Wed 2 December 5pmFree voter ID by Wed 2 December 5pmPolls 7am to 10pm · photo ID needed · Find your polling station (Democracy Club; it is also on your poll card)

about these dates

From the election timetable held by Democracy Club (CC BY 4.0), which follows the statutory working-day rules.

Official notices, boundaries and data

Nominations not yet confirmed. Candidate data: Democracy Club.

Find your polling station at WhereDoIVote (you enter your postcode there; nothing leaves this page). Official notices: . Accepted photo ID: Electoral Commission list.

The 3 on your paper in the order you’ll see them

No. 1Conservative and Unionist Party
Paul Gilson
No statement supplied.
Nothing of their own found yet; their party’s national policy is on their page
No. 2Green Party
Simon Gittus
“Simon Gittus is the Green Party candidate for West Leigh.”
Nothing of their own found yet; their party’s national policy is on their page
No. 3Labour Party
Lydia Ann Hyde
“It’s been a real privilege to serve my home, St Laurence ward, for the past four years.”
Nothing of their own found yet; their party’s national policy is on their page

In this ward 3 candidates from 3 parties or independent slots are standing. Parties do not stand everywhere; here is how to find out whether yours stands nearby.

This is a council seat. A councillor's win changes what the council decides: council tax, housing repairs and allocations, planning, social care, schools admissions, parking, bins, libraries. It does not change national tax, benefits or NHS policy, so this page shows only positions published for this council election, and no national party pledges are implied.

Sourced positions found for 0 of 3 candidates

None of these candidates has published anything of their own that we could source yet. Where a candidate's party has national policy on a topic, that is shown instead, labelled as the party's national policy and not the candidate's own commitment. Every claim that appears carries its source, date and exact quotation; see the public ledger.

Compare candidates side by side

You're voting for

Your local councillor

Councillors sit on the council that runs services where you live. They set the council's budget and council tax, and decide local planning applications. Here, for Southend-on-Sea Borough: Leigh ward.

What this office decides

Planning. Whether new homes, extensions and developments get permission.
Waste and streets. Bins, recycling, street cleaning, fly-tipping.
Council tax. The level you pay, within limits set nationally.
Social care. In county and unitary councils, care for older and disabled people.
Parks and libraries. Opening, funding, closing.
Council housing. Repairs, allocations and, in many areas, homelessness.

What it does not

NHS policy and waiting times. Parliament and the NHS.
Income tax and benefits. Parliament.
Immigration. Parliament.
Policing policy. The Home Office and your Police and Crime Commissioner or mayor.
Schools' curriculum. Government and, for academies, their trusts.

Candidates often campaign on things their office cannot change. That is not dishonest in itself — an MP can press a council, a councillor can lobby government — but it is worth knowing which is which. Summarised from the Local Government Association and UK Parliament descriptions of each role.

How this vote is counted: first past the post. One cross; the candidate with the most votes wins.Worked example

Every ballot with one cross is counted for that candidate. The one with the most votes wins, even without a majority. Example: A 4,000, B 3,900, C 2,100. A wins with 40% of the vote; the 60% cast for others elect nobody. There are no second preferences; a vote for a candidate who does not win has no further effect.

Hide names and parties while I read

TopicSearch every position on this ballot

Showing 3 of 3 candidates. Everyone on the ballot, in ballot-paper order.

Numbered as on the ballot paper. Open a candidate to see their positions on the ten topics, with sources. Until a household is described, only positions that apply to everyone are counted.

1Paul Gilson

Conservative and Unionist Party

ShowHide

Published on:MoneyHousingHealth and careEducationEnvironmentTransportImmigrationCrime and policingDefence and the EUEquality and rights

Democracy Club profile Party site

In their own words

No statement to voters supplied to Democracy Club.

Stood before

No previous candidacy on Democracy Club's record. Every candidate has this section.

Record in office

No voting record is shown for any council candidate: councils record votes by name only in limited cases (in England, budget and council tax decisions), and no dataset of them exists. Positions below come from what the candidate and their party have published.

Open Paul's page →

Where this information comes from

Positions are quoted from the candidate's or party's own published material and official records, each with its source. Where a candidate has given Democracy Club a statement to voters, it is shown word for word. If you are this candidate and something here is wrong, email us and we will check it against the source.

Published positions on the ten topics

What the tags mean

Source: Own wordsSource: ManifestoSource: Leaflet what candidates and parties publish themselves. Source: Public recordSource: Third party a public record, or someone else’s report. Candidate statements and leaflets are published as written; we check they are real, not that they are true.

Money and cost of living

Conservative and Unionist Party’s national policy, not Paul Gilson’s own commitment

What they say Source: Manifesto

The Conservatives' 2024 manifesto pledged to change PIP assessments to make them more objective and to stop claims rising unsustainably (relevant to households with a disabled member).

In their exact words Source: Manifesto

We will improve PIP assessments to provide a more objective consideration of people’s needs and stop the number of claims from rising unsustainably.

What this could mean for you

This would apply to you if: someone is disabled or has a long-term condition.

Sourced: The Conservative and Unionist Party Manifesto 2024: Clear Plan, Bold Action, Secure Future, 11 June 2024

We will improve PIP assessments to provide a more objective consideration of people’s needs and stop the number of claims from rising unsustainably.

Stated aim, no measurable commitment found

1Paul Gilson

Conservative and Unionist Party

2Simon Gittus

Green Party

ShowHide

Published on:MoneyHousingHealth and careEducationEnvironmentTransportImmigrationCrime and policingDefence and the EUEquality and rights

Democracy Club profile Party site

In their own words

Simon Gittus is the Green Party candidate for West Leigh.

Simon lives locally in Leigh-on-Sea and works as a designer, planning and shaping spaces in the retail and leisure sector. For the past year, he has been working closely with residents across West Leigh, alongside local Green councillors, taking up issues and pushing for solutions. He regularly attends Southend City Council meetings, holding decision-makers to account and raising concerns on behalf of the community.

Simon has been a clear voice on protecting our green belt, including Hadleigh Farmland and Bournes Green, improving bus services so they work for residents rather than private companies, and getting long-standing local issues sorted - finally getting the Marine Parade shelter fixed.

Statement to voters supplied by the candidate to Democracy Club, retrieved 2026-11-05. Reproduced unedited.

Stood before

No previous candidacy on Democracy Club's record. Every candidate has this section.

Record in office

Open Simon's page →

Where this information comes from

Published positions on the ten topics

What the tags mean

Money and cost of living

Green Party’s national policy, not Simon Gittus’ own commitment

What they say Source: Manifesto

The Green Party's 2024 manifesto pledged to remove the Upper Earnings Limit on National Insurance, so higher earners pay the main rate on all earnings (relevant to higher-income households).

In their exact words Source: Manifesto

Removing the Upper Earnings Limit that restricts the amount of National Insurance paid by high earners.

What this could mean for you

This would apply to you if: £60,000 to £100,000 or over £100,000.

Sourced: Green Party Manifesto 2024: Creating a Fairer, Greener Economy, 12 June 2024

Removing the Upper Earnings Limit that restricts the amount of National Insurance paid by high earners.

, Green Party of England and Wales, published 12 June 2024. Retrieved 18 September 2026. Archived copy.

2Simon Gittus

Green Party

3Lydia Ann Hyde

Labour Party

ShowHide

Published on:MoneyHousingHealth and careEducationEnvironmentTransportImmigrationCrime and policingDefence and the EUEquality and rights

Democracy Club profile Candidate's own site Party site

In their own words

It’s been a real privilege to serve my home, St Laurence ward, for the past four years. I’m standing again to keep working hard for residents and making sure your voices are heard.

Over my first term, I’ve focused on getting things done locally—improving roads and footpaths, upgrading our parks and play areas, and tackling issues like air quality and anti-social behaviour. I also helped stop the closure of Kent Elms Library, pushed for action on the sewage works, and brought national attention to the RAAC issues at Kingsdown School.

I’m proud to be a councillor who delivers real results, but there’s always more to do.

If re-elected, I’ll continue working on practical improvements like resurfacing pavements, expanding play facilities, protecting the X30 bus service, supporting fair parking solutions, investing in allotments, and standing up against unsuitable developments.

A record of action. A vote for results.

Statement to voters supplied by the candidate to Democracy Club, retrieved 2026-11-05. Reproduced unedited.

Stood before

No previous candidacy on Democracy Club's record. Every candidate has this section.

Record in office

Open Lydia's page →

Where this information comes from

Published positions on the ten topics

What the tags mean

Money and cost of living

What was done in office

What the record shows Source: Public record

In government, Labour's Budget 2025 removed the two-child limit in Universal Credit in full from April 2026 (relevant to households with children).

In their exact words Source: Public record

The historic decision to remove the two-child limit in full from April 2026 will lift 450,000 children out of poverty - the biggest reduction at any Budget this century.

What this could mean for you

This would apply to you if: there are children.

Sourced: Strong foundations, secure future: a Budget that delivers on the country's priorities (Budget 2025 press release), 26 November 2025

The historic decision to remove the two-child limit in full from April 2026 will lift 450,000 children out of poverty - the biggest reduction at any Budget this century.

, HM Treasury (UK Government), published 26 November 2025. Retrieved 18 September 2026.

3Lydia Ann Hyde

Labour Party

Photos appear only on each candidate's own page, so every candidate looks the same in this list. How much sourced material we found per party · Why isn't my party standing here?

Hustings

No hustings listed yet for this election.

Hustings: Democracy Club (CC BY 4.0). Checked hourly.

Last time in this seat: election of Thursday, 7 May 2026

Candidate	Party	Votes	Share
Anita Maria Forde (elected)	Green Party	1,301	35.8%
Carole Ann Mulroney	Liberal Democrats	772	21.2%
Paul Stephen Thurgood	Reform UK	767	21.1%
Freddie Nicholas Russell	Conservative and Unionist Party	325	8.9%
Enzo Antony Harrison	Independent	287	7.9%
Ian Belfield	Labour Party	164	4.5%
Liam Christopher Brittle	Confelicity	17	0.5%

3,633 valid votes. Result data from Democracy Club (source). Past results describe the past; each election is a new contest.

Life in Southend-on-Sea Borough: Leigh ward: the official facts

Official open data about the area. It describes the place, not you, and it favours no candidate.

People claiming unemployment-related benefits

140 people in Leigh ward, 2.1% of residents aged 16–64, against 4.1% across England (September 2026).

Claimant count, Office for National Statistics via Nomis (Open Government Licence). It counts people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance or Universal Credit while required to seek work; it is not the same as the unemployment rate.

House prices in Southend On Sea

Average price £326,132, unchanged 0.0% on a year earlier (August 2026).

Flats and maisonettes: £197,827
Detached houses: £638,159

Source: HM Land Registry UK House Price Index for the local authority (Open Government Licence). A local-authority average; prices within it vary widely.

Recorded crime nearby, August 2026

153 street-level crimes recorded within about a mile of the area's centre.

violent crime: 52
anti social behaviour: 38
public order: 14
other theft: 12
vehicle crime: 10
criminal damage arson: 8

Source: data.police.uk (Open Government Licence). Centroid of the ONS 2024 boundary. Statistics near this point describe the area, not any household. Recorded crime reflects reporting and policing as well as offending; see the ONS guidance in further reading.

Life in Southend-on-Sea Borough: Leigh ward: the official facts

Loading official figures for the area…

Print my notes · Share or embed this page

Go deeper: independent sources

None of these is affiliated with a party. Where a source campaigns for a position, the label says so. Links open the original site.

Cross-cutting: polling, fact-checking, parliamentary research

Commons Library: constituency data dashboards — House of Commons Library. Parliamentary research service, impartial by statute.
electionleaflets.org: archive of election leaflets, searchable by area — Democracy Club. Civic-technology archive; leaflets are the parties' own material.
Electoral Commission: political finance register (donations, loans, spending) — Electoral Commission. Official register.
Full Fact — Full Fact. Independent fact-checking charity.
House of Commons Library research briefings — House of Commons Library. Parliamentary research service, impartial by statute.
Institute for Government — Institute for Government. Independent think tank on how government works.
Ipsos Issues Index: what the public says matters most — Ipsos. Polling company (monthly, unprompted survey).
LG Inform: council performance and finance data — Local Government Association. Sector body for councils.
Local Elections Archive Project: every council result since 2002 — Andrew Teale. Independent archive from Returning Officers' data, CC BY-SA.
mySociety Local Intelligence Hub: data by constituency — mySociety. Civic-technology charity; non-partisan.
UK Parliament: Commons votes (every division, how each MP voted) — UK Parliament. Official record, Open Parliament Licence.
UK Parliament: petitions, with signatures by constituency — UK Parliament. Official record.

Cite this page

Harvard style. Every figure on the page also names its original source, which is usually the better thing to cite.

Southend-on-Sea Borough: Leigh ward

The 3 on your paper in the order you’ll see them

Paul Gilson

Simon Gittus

Lydia Ann Hyde

Your local councillor

What this office decides

What it does not

Everyone on one page

1Paul Gilson

In their own words

Stood before

Record in office

Where this information comes from

Published positions on the ten topics

Money and cost of living

1Paul Gilson

2Simon Gittus

In their own words

Stood before

Record in office

Where this information comes from

Published positions on the ten topics

Money and cost of living

2Simon Gittus

3Lydia Ann Hyde

In their own words

Stood before

Record in office

Where this information comes from

Published positions on the ten topics

Money and cost of living

3Lydia Ann Hyde

Hustings

Life in Southend-on-Sea Borough: Leigh ward: the official facts

People claiming unemployment-related benefits

House prices in Southend On Sea

Recorded crime nearby, August 2026

Life in Southend-on-Sea Borough: Leigh ward: the official facts

Go deeper: independent sources

1Paul Gilson

In their own words

Stood before

Record in office

Where this information comes from

Published positions on the ten topics

Money and cost of living

2Simon Gittus

In their own words

Stood before

Record in office

Where this information comes from

Published positions on the ten topics

Money and cost of living

3Lydia Ann Hyde

In their own words

Stood before

Record in office

Where this information comes from

Published positions on the ten topics

Money and cost of living

Hustings

Housing and property

Healthcare and social care

Education and universities

Environment, climate and energy

Transport and roads

Immigration and borders

Crime, policing and justice

Housing and property

Healthcare and social care

Education and universities

Environment, climate and energy

Transport and roads

Immigration and borders

Crime, policing and justice

Defence, foreign affairs and the EU

Equality and rights

Housing and property

Healthcare and social care