Saturday 23rd June saw a team of seasoned party activists join local man Mark Cooling in rebuilding the party in the Essex town of Basildon.

Arriving in the Town centre at about 11am,they were meet by enthusiastic shoppers concerned about the impact that the dispersal programme is having on their borough.

Activist Mick Braun said that he spoke to a young mum who was worried about the effect this would have on local schools.

Mick said “she told me that her family had moved from East London several years ago because of the overcrowding in schools and was concerned that Basildon is heading the same way.

” The activists took up a position in the shopping precinct near to the stalls occupied by Unite union and the Socialist Party.

East London activist John Phillips said “we stood close by so that they knew we were there without provoking a confrontation.

After a short while they put away their loud-hailer so deflated were their efforts as people came to talk to us.”

Local man Mark Cooling from Basildon had contacted the London team through Facebook and was thrilled with the days work.

He said “The response from the public was fantastic but I was mostly admired the activists enthusiasm. They were very professional and confident in reassuring people that they had spoken to.

” Several hundred leaflets of varying subjects were handed out making it a very successful return to Basildon indeed.

In the photo is (L to R) Paul Borg, Mark Cooling, Mick Braun and John Phillips