LABOUR does not see south Essex as a "no-go area" going into the next general election, the shadow chancellor said on a visit to the county.

Members of the opposition party flocked to south Essex on Thursday in a bid to win over voters as Sir Keir Starmer set out his six pledges for the country.

The leader of the opposition visited Thurrock with an entourage of Labour politicians and campaigners while shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves visited Shoebury to unveil the party’s new advertising van before it set off on a tour of East Anglia.

The visit marked two weeks since Labour saw a gleaming set of results at the local elections, where it became the biggest party in Southend and Basildon and took control of Thurrock Council.

It was a slightly different picture in nearby Castle Point, where Labour failed to secure a single seat despite the Tories losing every seat they contested.

Ms Reeves told the Echo the party is “taking nothing for granted” and is “fighting for every single vote”.

She said: “It is clear that under Keir Starmer’s leadership there are no more no-go areas for Labour.

“We saw in the local elections just two weeks ago Labour take control of Thurrock Council, we’re now the largest party in Southend, and saw gains in Harlow as well. We’re fighting for every vote, including here in Essex.”

Echo: Campaign - Rachel Reeves with Southend Labour councillor Daniel Cowan, parliamentary candidate Bayo Alaba, and Labour MPs Ellie Reeves and Jonathan AshworthCampaign - Rachel Reeves with Southend Labour councillor Daniel Cowan, parliamentary candidate Bayo Alaba, and Labour MPs Ellie Reeves and Jonathan Ashworth (Image: Elliot Deady, Newsquest)

Bayo Alaba, Labour's parliamentary candidate for Southend East and Rochford, is confident he can recreate the success the party enjoyed in Southend on May 2 when the prime minister calls a general election.

“We’re working very hard,” he said. “We’re out pretty much every day talking to people.

“We’ve got a lot of work to do in various aspects, in the constituency and within the community, but most importantly we are ready and people are happy with our message.”

Mr Alaba wants to revitalise south Essex high streets and says he will push to increase housing near town and city centres.

Echo: Confident - Daniel Cowan, leader of Southend Council's Labour groupConfident - Daniel Cowan, leader of Southend Council's Labour group (Image: Elliot Deady, Newsquest)

Daniel Cowan, leader of Southend Council’s Labour group, said: “I think it’s fantastic the Labour Party wants to win everywhere.

“We want to show people all across the country that Labour has a serious plan for government but also that we are a serious option for local government.”

Labour's advertising bus made its way to Colchester after leaving Shoebury.