Essex Labour County group

24/10/2026

𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐕𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭 𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐥 𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭

In the early weeks of Operation Vanguard, they had broken the law by performing a citizens arrest on an underage woman.

I raised this at Essex County Council and Reform had no idea. Instead they accused me of lying, with the Deputy Leader saying I was 'a disgrace' (the same Deputy Leader who has repeatedly lied about me).

Now Reform have found out it did happen they're saying how wonderful it is that Op Vanguard stopped a shoplifter.

This is an abuse of their power and certainly not the reason we were told they were hired.

It again shows this money could have been better spent on more actually police hours or supporting Council wardens - not on wannabe vigilantes.

Reform allowed no scrutiny of this policy before it was commissioned, which is unusual. Colchester Council scrutinised it this week and it's clear there are no measurable KPIs, while the lead officer couldn't answer most of the questions.

24/10/2026

We're proud of Essex's diversity and the communities that make our county strong.

ITV has exposed the extreme views held by some members of Reform UK.

In Essex, "Farage Fest" unearthed Reform members expressing racist and bigoted views. Jason Powell was filmed saying that people arriving in the UK via small boats should be placed in "concentration camps". He was also recorded saying that "you cannot be a Muslim and British".

But it doesn't end there...

Stuart Prior (Essex County Council/Rochford) resigned following allegations of racist and anti-Muslim social media posts.

James Regan (Ongar/Epping Forest) was suspended over social media posts concerning Muslims and asylum seekers.

Geoff Shaw (Epping Forest) faced controversy after a 2017 Facebook photograph resurfaced showing him in blackface. He remains a Reform councillor.

Libraries: Essex libraries were instructed not to promote Pride and LGBTQ+ events through council communication channels.

Pride flags: Reform's Essex administration faced criticism for restricting the promotion and display of Pride-related events and symbols.

15/10/2026

Inside Reform: Councillors and candidates' extreme and racist views on camera

https://www.itv.com/news/2026-10-14/inside-reform-councillors-extreme-and-racist-views-on-camera

14/10/2026

Tonight we will be moving a motion on Operation Vanguard to send a message to Essex County Council.

This is a policy that is based on no evidence and is merely performative politics. Those who have seen the security guards will see they're getting their steps in for easy money.

Colchester has a significant history of welcoming people, including the Flemish during the reign of Elizabeth I. This would lead to the creation of the Dutch Quarter. Only 30 miles up the road in Harwich, we welcomed Jewish children facing persecution in N**i Germany.

The Tories have tried to amend the motion and suggest tacit support for the scheme. Will the Lib Dems find the courage to support us this time?

13/10/2026

How it feels entering Essex County Council as the only Labour Councillor against 50 plus Reform Councillors.

12/10/2026

Classic Reform UK

https://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/26615194.reform-councillor-brought-essex-county-council-in-disrepute/

10/10/2026

Thanks for the shoutout - remember to @ us next time….

But you are talking 💩 again. Cllr Scordis joined virtually.

Just a reminder that this 🤡 was found to have brought Essex County Council into disrepute. False allegations against a Labour cllr 👇

https://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/26615194.reform-councillor-brought-essex-county-council-in-disrepute/

30/09/2026

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27/09/2026

25/09/2026

Earlier this year we raised the issue of Cllr Thompson and his conflict of interest.

He was chair of Jaywick Sands Community Forum, a charity. It was clear he was using his position to promote Reform.

Nigel Farage also knew about this…..