With polling day in the 2021 local elections tomorrow (Thursday, 6 May) just hours away, here's a reminder of all six candidates for the Southminster division seat on Essex County Council - the seat that represents Burnham-on-Crouch and much of the Dengie Peninsula area.

Jacqueline Brown, Labour Party:

Jacqueline said: "I am the Vice Chair of the Maldon Labour Party and I live in Burnham- On-Crouch.

"I have been a social worker for 28 years. I currently work in mental health services within the NHS. I am a lifelong union activist, and a campaigner on issues of equality and human rights. Locally I have campaigned for more support and funding for the food bank, and for homeless charities."

James Eley, Liberal Democrats:

James said: "I live in Mayland. I'm standing because I've seen local people struggling and services being cut to the point where they cease to function properly. For me, that is not local representatives trying to make their constituents' lives better. When I was a teenager you could call the doctors and be seen the same or next day, now you have to wait weeks or chance your arm in the early morning queue for an emergency appointment. When Maldon District Council attempted eviction of Maldon Yacht Club, it proved to me that the council didn't have residents' best interests at heart and I'm delighted our petition (which had over 2,000 signatures) played a part in helping guarantee the club's future.

"I passionately believe that if development must continue, then infrastructure must be matched to that and I think that renewable energy developments should be prioritised over new nuclear power stations."

Peter Horscroft, UKIP:

Peter said: "I have lived in Bradwell-on-sea for 16 years now. I have made it my business to assimilate into the village: despite being here for so short a time I was part of the Group which re-opened the Shop and Post Office in late 2014. I still work there as a Volunteer. I also made new friends in Tillingham in the Census of 2011 when working and biking the district.

"UKIP has always stood for: controlled migration, law and order, British culture, funding the NHS properly and making the country back into a truly United Kingdom.

"I also hate the idea of Bradwell B since the way it is planned will take over most of the Dengie. Why not knock the old one down, with the appropriate precautions, then build on that? Nobody has attempted to explain that to us!"

Ron Pratt, Conservative Party:

Ron has been re-selected to contest the Division, which he has represented at County Hall since May 2017. Ron has been a Burnham Town councillor for 13 years and is Town Mayor for the second time. He was a Maldon district councillor for 10 years until 2019. He was a former Chairman of the South Eastern Planning Committee and Chairman of Community Services. He is chairman of school governors at a local primary school and a trustee of an Alms house trust and a local charity.

Ron said: "Four generations of my family live on the Dengie - aged seven to ninety-three. I believe this puts me in a unique position to understand and represent residents of all ages. Being a councillor is a full-time commitment and I have worked hard for local people and ensuring the decisions I make have a real benefit for residents including education, roads and waste recycling."

Wendy Stamp, Independent:

Wendy said: "The Dengie has a unique character both in terms of its land and its people. The landscape and villages have evolved over thousands of years. My passion is to protect that uniqueness but also look to economic prosperity and a bright and positive future. I will listen to the views of residents and will champion the area, ensuring that the Dengie retains its beauty and has the right infrastructure for modern living.

"I hope that my track record as a Burnham Town Councillor and a Maldon District Councillor speaks for itself and evidences my commitment. I very much hope that you will have the confidence to vote for me as your Essex County Councillor.

"I am passionate about the district, forthright, respectful to others, acting with integrity and ethically. I believe in openness, transparency and being accountable to residents.

"Already working hard to make a difference for the District at MDC, I want to further my efforts by serving the residents on Essex County Council."

James Taylor, Green Party:

James Taylor was born and lives in Burnham-on-Crouch. He holds a masters degree in Human Ecology and is the former chair of the environmental charity, The Permaculture Association. James' priorities include working with local nature conservancy organisations to fund biodiversity initiatives and creating new allotments and green spaces in the local area.