THE leader of Basildon Council has insisted he “will not let Basildon fall to the far-right” after the “troubling” election a Reform UK MP.

Gavin Callaghan, Labour leader, used the council’s “leader’s blog” to take aim at Nigel Farage’s Reform party and claimed the election of James McMurdock in South Basildon and East Thurrock “alarming”.

Writing in the blog published on the council’s website, Mr Callaghan vowed to investigate “why so many residents” voted for the “far-right” and “what had gone wrong in their lives that made them believe this was the only solution”.

Mr Callaghan said: “We need to restore belief in Basildon as a place of opportunity, where our town centre can be regenerated, youth services can thrive, and homeownership is achievable.

“This generation of Basildon’s youth faces the grim prospect of not doing as well as their parents. This should concern us all. "Basildon was built on the belief that anyone, regardless of background, could succeed if they worked hard and contributed to the community. As a council, we must urgently address the reasons behind the far-right’s appeal and work to restore hope and opportunity.

“As the leader of this council, I am determined to not let Basildon fall to the far-right. “ Mr Callaghan claimed the Reform party holds “racist views” but Mr McMurdock hit back calling the reference to himself as far-right an “insult to his own intelligence and also the 12,178 who have voted for me.”

Mr Callaghan added: “The election of a far-right MP in Basildon is alarming. This party, with its racist views and pro-Russian propaganda, represents a significant departure from Basildon’s values.

“Good people, misled by personality cults, have supported a platform of hate and division. This result has given Basildon a stigma that will be difficult to overcome, placing it alongside other towns perceived as declining.”

Kevin Blake, Tory deputy leader in Basildon, said; “Language like this should not have been used, it could have been issued through different means. It is not what the platform is for, the electorate decided what they wanted and he would need to give evidence that this person is a racist. It is like the Brexit scenario, not all those who voted for Brexit are racists.”

Reform MP: Leader's comments 'an insult to 12,178 people who voted for me'

NEW Reform MP James McMurdock has hit back at the leader of Basildon Council and insisted residents who backed him hold “legitimate views” and “genuine concerns”.

Mr McMurdock has begun his first week in Parliament after being elected last week but has been branded “far-right” by Basildon Labour council leader Gavin Callaghan.

The new South Basildon and East Thurrock MP said: “Last Thursday was a historic moment for the people of South Basildon and East Thurrock.

“They rejected the political establishment and elected me as their Reform UK Member of Parliament.

“Sadly, the Leader of Basildon Council, Gavin Callaghan has lowered the tone of the political debate by referring to myself and our supporters as ‘far right’.

“This is an insult to his own intelligence and also the 12,178 who voted for me.

“I would like to offer councillor Gavin Callaghan the opportunity to meet with me and apologise to the voters of South Basildon and East Thurrock who have genuine concerns around the impact of mass uncontrolled immigration.

“They should not have their legitimate views tarnished as ‘far right’.”