The People's Independent Party
The People's Independent Party | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Abbreviation | PIP |
| Leader | Warren Gibson |
| Founder | Steven Cole |
| Founded | 2021 |
| Registered | 18 March 2022 |
| Headquarters | 441 High Road, Essex, SS7 5AF |
| Ideology | Localism |
| Colours | Yellow-green Green |
| Essex County Council | 1 / 77
|
| Castle Point Borough Council | 24 / 39
|
| Website | |
| www | |
The People's Independent Party (PIP) is a localist political party based in Castle Point, in Essex, England. Formed in 2021 by former Conservative councillor Steven Cole, and registered in 2022, PIP sought to prevent a local plan to build 5,000 homes in the borough, by taking control of the council from the ruling Conservatives.[1][2][3] At formation, the party had four councillors (including Cole), all (except Cole) were originally elected as independents.
History
[edit]PIP was founded to oppose house-building in the Local Plan.[4] Following the results of the 2022 election, the PIP gained six seats to take its total to 10 councillors, ending over 20 years of Conservative control of Castle Point Borough Council.[5][6] A new joint administration was formed between the PIP and the Canvey Island Independent Party, with Steven Cole becoming Deputy Leader of the council.[7][8]
In February 2023, Steven Cole stood down as party leader, and former HGV and taxi driver Warren Gibson was elected as leader of PIP and deputy leader of the council. In the 2023 election, the People's Independent Party gained a further seven seats bringing their total up to 16, all of which were taken from the Conservatives. There was one remaining seat in the St James' Ward that was Conservative-held.[9][4]
In the 2024 election, the party increased their vote share and gained a further eight councillors, winning a majority of 24 seats on the council, with the Conservatives losing all their seats. They again formed the administration alongside Canvey Island Independent Party. This led to Castle Point becoming the only council in England other than the all-independent Isles of Scilly Council where none of the seats are held by Labour, Conservatives, Liberal Democrats, or Greens.[10][11][12][4] PIP was helped by thirteen Conservative candidates being unable to stand due to issues with their nomination papers, as well as dissatisfaction with national parties.[13] With CIIP, PIP supported court action to recover what they saw as excess payments to former council leadership.[14]
In England's 2026 local elections, the PIP stood three candidates for Essex County Council with one being elected.[15]
Policies
[edit]The main focus of the PIP has been re-writing the council's local plan to reduce construction and prioritise the development of brownfield sites. Other policies include freezing council tax, introducing a Community Infrastructure Levy, changing the election cycle to every four years, and spending £1.5 million to rejuvenate council owned buildings.[16] The Conservative government in 2024 labelled Castle Point under PIP as a "consistent under-performance" area for house building.[17]
Previously, the party campaigned on expanding activities for young people, and pushing for consultation on street lights being turned back on between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m..[1] In July 2025, the party proposed increasing the area covered by a Public Spaces Protection Order to reduce vehicle-related anti-social behaviour,[18] and the following month agreed to keep streetlights on overnight following a consultation.[19] The party opposed the local government reorganisation planned for 2027, which will abolish Castle Point council.[20]
References
[edit]- 1 2 Critchell, Matthew (21 March 2021). "Castle Point: New political party to stop 5,000 home plan". Basildon, Canvey & Southend Echo. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
- ↑ "Registration summary". Electoral Commission. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
- ↑ Jackson, J.J. (30 April 2024). "Castle Point election: a battle of independents". eastangliabylines.co.uk. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
- 1 2 3 Knight, Matt (22 May 2024). "The HGV driver who beat major parties at election". BBC News.
- ↑ "Castle Point Borough Council: Tories lose control after nearly 20 years". BBC News. 6 May 2022. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
- ↑ "Your council-by-council guide to the local elections in the ITV Anglia region". ITV News. 19 April 2024.
- ↑ England, Sophie (30 January 2023). "£140k scheme to revitalise playgrounds and open spaces in Castle Point". Echo. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
- ↑ Berrill, Lewis (28 May 2022). "Castle Point's new council administration to scrap local plan". Basildon, Canvey & Southend Echo. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
- ↑ "Borough Election Results - 4th May 23". Castle Point Borough Council. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
- ↑ "Castle Point result - Local Elections 2024". BBC News. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
- ↑ Day-Parker, Jessica (3 May 2024). "Tories wiped out at Castle Point as independents gain all seats at election". Echo. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
- ↑ Poole, Cameron (3 May 2024). "'Today is history in the making' - Castle Point independents celebrate Tory wipe out". Echo. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
- ↑ Silverman, Rosa (16 May 2024). "The fully independent council setting alarm bells ringing for the Tories". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 16 May 2024.
- ↑ Critchell, Matthew (10 October 2024). "Council's late chief executive 'awarded himself' more than £200k". Essex Live.
- ↑ https://www.castlepoint.gov.uk/w/2026-essex-county-council-election-results?redirect=%2F
- ↑ "Election Leaflet 2024". PIP Castle Point. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
- ↑ Barradale, Greg (2 July 2024). "'I haven't voted since Blair': How politics failed one of the most Tory places in Britain". Big Issue.
- ↑ Critchell, Matthew (11 July 2025). "Wider ban would eradicate boy racers - councillor". BBC News.
- ↑ Chaudhari, Shivani (15 August 2025). "Council to switch street lights on again at night". BBC News.
- ↑ Morton, Becky (2 February 2025). "Fears council shake-up could spell end of independent-run areas". BBC News.