A PARTY’S dream of separating Canvey from the mainland has been criticised as “pie in the sky” by the Conservatives.

The row comes after election leaflets, bearing the words “It’s time to break free”, next to a picture of Canvey divided from the rest of the borough, were distributed by the Canvey Island Independent Party.

The two parties are fiercely contesting Canvey seats for both Castle Point Borough Council and Canvey Town Council at this May’s local government elections.

The contest has become increasingly acrimonious in recent days, with the Independents accusing the Tories of lying in their literature.

Colin Maclean, a Tory campaigner, said the opposition were making promises they were unable to keep.

He said: “It’s pie in the sky – they know it’s not achievable and we know its not achievable.

“There is no existing legislation that would allow them to break away from Castle Point.

“They are just using emotive language they know will appeal to islanders, with nothing to back it up.

“I would like a Porsche outside my house but it’s not going to happen.”

However, Dave Blackwell, leader of the Independents, said the Government’s Localism Bill would give town councils greater powers.

These include neighbourhood development orders, which will allow them to grant planning permission for projects considered a community priority.

Town and parish councils are also set to have control of section 106 or planning gain money.

This is cash developers give to local authorities in return for obtaining planning permission for major projects.

The Localism Bill is expected to become law in the autumn.

Mr Blackwell said: “I think the way things are going the town council will end up running Canvey.

“No one cares if Castle Point picks up the bins or sweeps the streets, but they do care about how their town will evolve in the future.

“The Tories are campaigning so hard because they’ve seen all this money and power going to the town council and they want a piece of it.”