THE interim leader of Southend Conservatives has revealed he will step down at the next election as infighting engulfs the party.

Daniel Nelson says he will not be standing as a councillor at the local elections in May 2026 and recent problems have “probably solidified” a decision he made a while ago.

Mr Nelson, Conservative councillor for Southchurch Ward, says he will remain as a Tory councillor for the time being but hasn’t ruled out leaving the party after “giving his 20s to the city”.

The announcement follows the resignation of the Tory Whip by former Conservative Group leader Tony Cox and Darryl Jones, Conservative councillor for Southchurch Ward.

Mr Nelson said: “As it stands today I’m a Conservative councillor. If anything changes I’ll let everyone know.

“The Conservative Party were looking for candidates and the party chairman was asking me if I was standing. I told the two associations, east and west, my decision not to stand. It felt right that as I’d announced it internally I should announce it externally.”

Asked if the current turmoil, which includes the suspension of Prittlewell councillor Kevin Buck, Mr Nelson added: “I made my decision a while back that I wasn’t going to stand in 2026. The recent events have probably solidified my decision but I wouldn’t say they are solely responsible.

“I got elected in my mid-twenties and before that I spent a few years working for the local MP. I’m 31 now and during that time I’ve been married, I’ve got a child, I’ve moved house, I’ve started a business and that’s going well.

“I’ve given my 20s to the city of Southend and now seems like the right time to take my 30s, 40s and 50s back in service to my family and friends.”

Mr Nelson, a former cabinet member for economic growth and currently interim Conservative Group leader, said he was proud of what he has achieved as a councillor in eight years during what has been the “honour of my life”.

This includes bringing a cross party motion on addressing prostitution, spearheading a bid to recruit more special constables and securing two international sporting events for the city.

Colin Campbell, chairman of the Southend East and Rochford Conservative Association, said: “I was saddened that Dan won’t be standing in 2026. When I became a councillor he was instrumental in teaching me the ropes.”