Sir Keir Starmer paid Basildon a visit earlier this month - but he is not the first leading politician to make the trip to south Essex.

The Labour leader met with Basildon Council leader Gavin Callaghan to discuss regeneration plans for the town centre.

Southend, Basildon and Canvey have been a happy hunting ground for politicians over the years.

Tony Blair enjoyed tea with Mick Ryan and his wife Pat as he campaigned in Basildon a year before being brought in as Prime Minister, while Boris Johnson and Theresa May visited Corringham and Canvey respectively before going on to claim the top job.

Welcoming - Tony Blair enjoyed tea with Mick Ryan and his wife Pat as he campaigned in Basildon in 1996

Welcoming - Tony Blair enjoyed tea with Mick Ryan and his wife Pat as he campaigned in Basildon in 1996

We have dipped into the archive to rediscover these images of famous politicians to visit south Essex.

Smile and wave - David Cameron, who went on to become Prime Minister, met pupils at Barstable School in 2006

Smile and wave - David Cameron, who went on to become Prime Minister, met pupils at Barstable School in 2006

Safety first - Prime Minister Boris Johnson paid a visit to the DP World London Gateway in Corringham while he was still Mayor of London in 2013

Safety first - Prime Minister Boris Johnson paid a visit to the DP World London Gateway in Corringham while he was still Mayor of London in 2013

Thumbs up - then-Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn delivered a speech on Brexit at the Pitsea Leisure Centre while on the general election campaign trail in 2017

Laughter - former Ukip leader Nigel Farage celebrates with two supporters during a visit to Basildon in May 2014

Laughter - former Ukip leader Nigel Farage celebrates with two supporters during a visit to Basildon in May 2014

Friendly face - then-Prime Minister Gordon Brown meets three-year-old Eva Mansfield and her father Paul Mansfield during a visit to Basildons Abby Couriers

Friendly face - then-Prime Minister Gordon Brown meets three-year-old Eva Mansfield and her father Paul Mansfield during a visit to Basildon's Abby Couriers

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Having her say - Theresa May, who went on to become Prime Minister, visited Canveys Gold and Diamonds shortly after it was raided in 2015

Having her say - Theresa May, who went on to become Prime Minister, visited Canvey's Gold and Diamonds shortly after it was raided in 2015

On the island - Jeremy Hunt visited Canvey when he was campaigning for the Tory leadership in 2019

On the island - Jeremy Hunt visited Canvey when he was campaigning for the Tory leadership in 2019

Brothers - Ed and David Miliband during the launch of Labours latest poster campaign in Basildon more than a decade ago

Brothers - Ed and David Miliband during the launch of Labour's latest poster campaign in Basildon more than a decade ago