WITH Essex’s tendency to reflect national trends at the ballot box, politicians often turn to our county for a flavour of what the country is thinking.

Margaret Thatcher is said to have used the stereotype of the Essex man to ensure electoral success in the Eighties, while Basildon has selected its MP from the country’s most popular party at every election since 1974.

Now, as voters prepare to decide if the UK should stay in the European Union or not, does a glance at Essex mean the country is ready to go it alone?

Six of south Essex’s seven Tory MPs are likely to back the campaign to leave the EU, with only Thurrock’s Jackie Doyle-Price undecided.

Ukip has looked to south Essex to build support. Leader Nigel Farage launched his 2015 election campaign on Canvey.

South Essex’s history with anti-EU sentiment is not a recent phenomenon.

Sir Teddy Taylor, the Tory MP for Rochford and Southend East for 25 years, resigned from Ted Heath’s government in the Seventies due to his opposition to the UK joining the then European Economic Community.

In 1994, Sir Teddy had the Tory whip withdrawn after he was one of the Maastricht rebels, who refused to back Prime Minister John Major’s bid to implement an EU treaty into British law.

The former MP told the Echo he is pleased the British public will have its say at the referendum in June, and insists EU membership has served to hinder, rather than boost, trade.

Sir Teddy said: “I resigned from Ted Heath’s government because I felt we were tying ourselves up in an area in decline and cutting ourselves off from areas with great trade potential, like Australia, New Zealand, China and India.

“I was concerned about how much we were paying in and how it would take money away from things like the NHS.

“I was thrown out for a while by John Major, but the people of Southend and the local party were terrific and supported me in every possible way.”

In the days since David Cameron said the referendum would take place on Thursday, June 23, high-profile political figures have sought to align themselves with one side or the other.

Sir Teddy has called on Parliament to ensure voters are as well informed as possible before they decide which box to tick in June.

He said: “I hope the House of Commons researchers send everyone a pamphlet with the facts. When we joined, we were told there would be a massive movement in trade with of Europe, which hasn’t happened. Banking got a bit better, but we are not telling people the truth.

“We should tell people what trade was like before and what it is like now. We should also tell people exactly what we are paying for Europe.”

Sir Teddy said an exit from the EU will enable Parliament to have full control over British laws. He added: “I am glad people are being given the chance to have their say. I just wish the Government would just tell the people the truth, which is terribly important.”

Echo:

MPs set out their stall for referendum campaign

TWO South Essex MPs have nailed their colours to the mast in the EU referendum.

Sir David Amess, Conservative MP for Southend West, was thought to be supporting the out campaign as he voted against joining the EU in 1975, and has now confirmed his stance.

Mark Francois, Tory MP for Rayleigh and Wickford and Department, is also supporting Britain’s exit in June’s referendum.

Four decades ago the majority of people opposed Sir David’s view. He said: “This is very much a personal decision. It is up to each and every resident to make up their own mind how they will vote in a referendum.

“For me, the crunch issues are those concerning the security of our borders. Our little island is simply unable to cope with more and more people arriving in the UK, and with all the demands on the ‘public purse’.

“Furthermore, the UK is a substantial net contributor to the EU and I am not convinced that, with the challenges we face looking after our own people, we can afford the amounts of money we are being asked to contribute to support other member states.

“If we believe in democracy, it should mean that every Member of Parliament who is returned to Westminster should act in the knowledge the legislation they debate is sovereign when it is made into law.

“At the moment, that is not the case.”

Mr Francois, a former shadow Europe minister who led the Tory debate against the Lisbon Treaty, believes Britain is more than capable of surviving outside the EU.

He added: “I spent 14 nights in Parliament debating the 300 or so pages of the Lisbon Treaty, aware we did not have the power to change a single word of it.

“I believe we should live in a country that makes its own laws and this referendum is now a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to bring that about.”