THE leader of the Canvey Independent Party is backing Bob Spink in the forthcoming general election.

Dave Blackwell, a former deputy Labour council leader, is one of ten people to act as an official nominee for former Conservative Dr Spink, who now heads the Independent Save Our Green Belt party.

Yet he is keen to stress it is a personal decision and does not mean his party is putting its weight behind the independent candidate.

He said: “Bob Spink came and asked me if I would sign his nomination form and I said yes.

“But the Canvey Island Independent Party is not fighting anybody’s general election campaigns, we are focusing on fighting our own seats in the local elections.

“It’s up to residents to make up their own minds about how they want to vote in the general election.

“We are staying out of the national politics. There is no way we have got an alliance with Bob Spink.”

His decision to support Dr Spink, who has also represented Ukip in the past, is bound to raise a few eyebrows among residents who remember Mr Blackwell began his political career with Labour.

But Mr Blackwell said he was glad to be out of mainstream party politics.

He added: “I don’t think it’s relevant.

“I want to do what’s right, not what’s left or right, and I align myself with the people of Canvey.

“He’s an independent, I’m an independent and I think most people who stand as independents stand because they want to work for the community and not be told what to do by a political party.”

All general election candidates must have at least ten nominees to be able to stand.

Five candidates are challenging Bob Spink for the seat in Castle Point: Rebecca Harris for the Conservatives, Julian Ware-Lane for Labour, Brendan D’Cruz for the Liberal Democrats and Phillip Howell for the BNP.

Dr Spink said: “Dave Blackwell has served Canvey well over the years, so I was delighted he agreed to be one of my nominees.

“I think people welcome the fact politicians are prepared to work together.”