LOUISE McKinlay’s campaign to become the first directly elected Mayor of Greater Essex is off to a great start, with visits to Pitsea and Harlow, within days of being selected as the Conservative candidate.

Louise is the first mayoral candidate announced by any political party in Essex and she’s hit the ground running. As former Leader of Brentwood Borough Council and current Deputy Leader of Essex County Council, she brings a deep understanding of local government and the challenges and opportunities across the county.

Her campaign is built on delivering jobs, skills, infrastructure, and economic growth— key priorities for residents and businesses alike.

“Essex is a great county with huge potential. I live here, I’m raising my family here, and I run a business here. I know the pressures people are facing—and I will deliver real change as Mayor,” said Louise.

“That means backing businesses, supporting jobs, investing in key infrastructure, and making sure people have the opportunity to succeed and reap the rewards of their efforts. It also means standing up for Essex when Westminster lets us down.”

Louise has already launched a countywide campaign and petition calling for the reinstatement of the A12 widening project and a commitment to a complete upgrade of the A120—a crucial route linking Harwich Port to Stansted Airport. She slammed the Labour Government’s decision to cancel these schemes as “a short-sighted and reckless move that undermines and holds back the Essex economy.”

She has also spoken out against Labour’s plans on immigration, calling for an end to the use of hotels to house migrants in Essex, and urging ministers to respect the views of local communities.

“We’ve had enough of top-down,  imposed decisions that ignore the needs of our communities and harm our county. As Mayor, I’ll take a firm stand and will give Essex the strong voice it deserves. I won’t hesitate to hold the Government to account when national policies fail our people. Essex deserves better—and I intend to deliver it.”

Louise’s campaign will continue across every corner of the county in the coming weeks, giving residents the chance to speak with her directly and share their priorities.