Louise McKinlay: My vision for Essex

Cllr Louise McKinlay is the Conservative for Mayor of Essex and the Deputy Leader of Essex County Council.

The expansion of elected Mayors across England marks an exciting next chapter in the transfer of power from Westminster to the people. For too long, decisions on transport, planning, crime, infrastructure, and the economy, have been taken in Whitehall, far from the people they affect. A Mayor for Essex changes that, putting the power to shape our County directly into our hands.

This is a Conservative idea, born from Conservative principles: local people know best what their communities need.

Next May, Essex will elect its first ever Mayor. I am honoured to be the Conservative candidate, and I am determined to make this a turning point for our great county.

Why Essex matters

Essex is a county of scale, ambition, and influence. With a £53 billion economy – the fourth largest in the UK, it is bigger than Northern Ireland, and our success underpins national prosperity: we need Essex to be firing on all cylinders.

Home to more than two million people, Essex is strategically placed beside London with unrivalled global connections. We are the only county with two international airports (Stansted and Southend) and three international seaports (Tilbury, DP World, and Harwich, linked with Felixstowe). Two already benefit from Freeport status—another Conservative achievement.

Essex is not just a place on the map; it is a global gateway, and as a geographically diverse county, the new Mayoral role gives Essex the powers and influence to succeed. We are already a powerhouse—but without modern transport, we are being held back.

The Mayor can change that through our public transport system and the chance to shape services. This is our opportunity to build a network that truly works for Essex—reliable buses, integrated rail, and affordable fares set locally.

Working with neighbouring Mayors, we could create an East of England equivalent to Transport for London, giving people a genuine alternative to the car.

At the same time, I want to fix our roads. Labour’s cancellation of the A12 widening and therefore the loss of the A120 upgrade too, is a hammer blow to our economy. Along with the A127, these roads are lifelines for businesses and communities. I will fight tooth and nail to secure the investment Essex deserves and improve East to West connectivity.

Safer communities

Safety is the bedrock of prosperity. As Mayor, I’ll ensure Essex Police are visible, accessible, and responsive — with more officers on the streets when they’re needed most, quicker response times, and zero tolerance for antisocial behaviour and knife crime.

Safe streets mean stronger communities, thriving businesses, and restored trust in law and order. It is about strengthening the link between communities and police, upholding free speech and focusing on what matters to people. That’s the promise at the heart of my Mayoralty.

Levelling up, the Essex way

I believe in levelling up—not as a slogan, but as a way of changing lives. Our programme here in Essex has created opportunities for many, targeting support to help people fulfil their potential. Our businesses deserve the chance to grow, our residents need skills for tomorrow’s jobs, and our communities must flourish sustainably. As Mayor, I will use the platform to demand and deliver this.

Attracting global investment

Essex has the scale, talent, and connectivity to compete on the world stage. As Mayor, I will showcase Essex internationally, securing investment, creating high-quality jobs, and building resilient local supply chains.

Already I am working on this – hosting Belgian businesses keen to invest here, developing R&D and film location opportunities with US partners, and working with tech firms from as far afield as Australia, all for the benefit of the Essex economy. As Mayor, I will take that to the next level, making Essex the go-to destination for global innovation and enterprise.

Growth on our terms

We need new homes. I am clear about that but growth must be managed sensibly, with the necessary infrastructure to support development in the right place; near jobs, and without destroying our precious open green spaces.

Growth must work for existing towns and villages, and I will champion sustainable development – affordable, high-quality housing for Essex families and young people, while protecting the character of our communities. This can be achieved but it needs the mandate and determination to do it. As our elected Mayor, I will have both.

My experience and values

I have lived in Essex all my life. Alongside my husband, I have run a business here for more than 20 years, while also serving in local government since 2005. That experience, combining business and public service, gives me the grounding to take on this role.

I know the challenges businesses face because I run one. I know how local government works because I’ve led Councils. And I know the realities of public life because I live them. Above all, I understand Essex – our people, our frustrations, and our ambitions.

This Labour government is piling on taxes that stifle aspiration and growth. Reform, meanwhile, offers empty slogans, big egos and undeliverable promises. Essex doesn’t need Reform – it needs results. As Mayor, I will back wealth creators and people who work hard; those who do the right thing, who strive to do more and who contribute to our county.

A bright future for Essex

Essex is already strong, ambitious, and innovative – but with the powers of a Mayor, we can go further. We can build a transport system that works, secure investment for businesses, support the creation of new jobs in cutting-edge industries, deliver homes on our terms, and ensure safer streets with visible policing.

Most importantly, we can ensure Essex is recognised as the economic engine it truly is – one with the scale and influence to shape Britain’s success and raise living standards across our county.

That’s why I’m standing to be the first Mayor of Essex: to give our county the voice it deserves, the investment it needs, and the future it’s capable of achieving.

Essex matters. Essex leads. With bold Conservative leadership, Essex will win.