TO those who are new to these ward by ward guides, they are just a bit of fun.

In many ways, they are crib sheets for the journalists here in order to remember candidates, past winners, percentages etc.

We are not expecting any phone calls from Rallings and Thrasher.

Back to Passmores.

This ward has often been blessed with hard working councillors and so whoever wins, has big shoes to follow.

Tony Edwards (Lab) does a lot of great work in committees.

The councillor who is up for re-election in Jake Shepherd has been an absolute trojan in the last two years.

He is everything you would hope for in a local representative. He really does understand civic duty and responsibility.

Whether it is out in his ward, in the chamber or in other bodies such as the Harlow Civic Society or Parndon Mill. He is almost like a throw back to another era.

If you ask us, we feel that Harlow Labour may need to appreciate his talents a lot more. It comes across that you see his enthusiasm as a problem and not an opportunity. Just an opinion.

Having said all that, he knows it is a very difficult year for Labour. It may be like 2021, when they lost to the Conservatives.

The presence of Reform make this a bit of tricky one to predict. Can’t say we know much about Shirley McGee.

The Conservatives have a solid candidate in Nidhi Hindochi. Nidhi has a real sense of community. A nursery teacher and a key member of the Harlow Hindu Society.

She is also one of those Conservative activists who has worked the wards and a key member of their team.

Here it comes: Yes, Nidhi could really benefit from the Dan Swords Factor and it has gone Tory before (who can remember Ash Malik and Gareth Williams).

This is a real trick one and that is because of Reform.

We think they will sneak it on the rails.

YH Prediction: Reform Gain