Basildon - Politics

Politics

Further information: Basildon (UK Parliament constituency), Basildon and Billericay (UK Parliament constituency), South Basildon and East Thurrock (UK Parliament constituency), Essex local elections, Essex Council election, 2009, and Essex Man

The constituency of Basildon was considered a barometer of public opinion in general elections. The results of the constituency elections have been the same as the overall result of general elections since 1974. Basildon was said to epitomise the working class conversion to Thatcherism during the 1980s. "Basildon Man" or "Essex Man" was coined to describe an aspirational working class Conservative voter. The current MP is Tory politician John Baron. Due to boundary changes, in the 2010 General Election the Basildon and Billericay constituency elected 1 MP and South Basildon and East Thurrock elected another MP. In terms of local politics Basildon District elects five Councillors to Essex County Council. Following the 2009 Local Elections all five of these representatives are Conservative. Noak Bridge has a parish council.

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