During the 1950's and 1960's Canvey Island was a lovely place to live; clean and safe.

Where has all of that gone?

Well it seemed to have started when we joined the main land. I still find Canvey Island a nice place to live and I love it and that is exactly why I am so passionate about giving Canvey what it rightfully deserves. A cleaner, safer and greener place to live with a group of dedicated councillors to help shape Canvey Island into the way you, the residents, want it to be.

I am certain we can achieve this goal if we all work together. Canvey for Canvey my friends!

All the best

Dave Blackwell
Party Leader

When I saw an article in 2004 by Dave Blackwell, saying how fed up he was with the main stream Political parties and read of his idea of forming a “party for Canvey and only Canvey” I was intrigued. I went to the meeting at the Paddocks, and by the end of the evening I had volunteered to become part of this “idea”. I became Treasurer (for the small amount of donations we received to help fund the dream). A “Party for the People” was what we wanted, a group of independent people with independent views.

The Canvey Island Independent Party was BORN 

and boy was it alive and kicking !

The CIIP is for YOU and for the Island that we all love so much. I was not born here but I have loved it since the minute I became an “Islander” myself. What I had got to dislike over the years was not the Island, not the people but the way in which the Mainland dictated to us put us down. Since becoming Councillor in 2004 I have realised just how passionate I am about Canvey, standing up for it and for the people who reside here. In 2008 I was re-elected as East Ward Councillor for another 4 year term, and in the latter part of 2008 I was also honoured to be nominated by Grace and then elected to role of Deputy Leader for my Party. Since becoming “Dep” I have upset some people and pleased others – I suppose that comes with the job but I enjoy the extra responsibility and Dave and I have a good working relationship.

The Canvey Island Independent Party Councillors are ordinary Canvey people, we love the Island, we want what you want – no ifs and buts or what’s in it for me – We want Canvey for Canvey, we do not and will not sway from that. Whatever you may hear to the contrary, whoever tries to put us down, challenge us and the way we work but :\

1. -The Councillors from this Party will ALWAYS listen to you, speak to you and speak up for the Island. 
   

- We are the best opposition party this Tory Administration has ever had to deal with

- We will continue to push them or shame them into fulfilling their promises

- We tell you the facts they try to hide and we will continue to do so. 

That is my promise to you and the Island and I don’t break promises.

Anne Wood

Deputy Leader

 

Having already decided that none of the national parties were offering anything other than words and self interest, I was immediately drawn to a basic idea of local people making decisions for themselves.  There would be no outside interference from a party headquarters that pushes 'one size fits all' policies or only thinks of winning the next general election and pandering to it's supporters and donors above all else.

 

Seven years on and nothing has really altered at national level, apart from lots of leadership changes, just to obtain power.

 

Canvey Island is a lovely place to live and being an island it retains a community spirit. A lot of things we are proud of were created and paid for by Islanders, e.g. Waterside Sports Centre, the Paddocks Community Centre, and our open spaces. These and more are worth fighting for, to keep and enhance, not sell off or build on.

 

We are your Party, and we need not only your vote at election time, but your help and opinions throughout the rest of the year.

 

This is important to us and we need you to get involved. Come to our general meetings or your ward meetings or just leave a message on this site. Join us and help keep Canvey a great place to live for everyone.

 

Martin Tucker
Party Chairman