DISTRICT councillor and businessman Peter Harris has been announced as Reform UK's candidate to be the first Mayor of Greater Essex.

Elections to the newly-created post will take place across the county on Thursday, 7 May 2026.

Mr Harris, originally from Dagenham, is an award-winning businessman having started off as an apprentice vehicle technician and building his career in the automotive and repair sector.

For the past 20 years, Peter has been running his own small business, employing over 30 local people, culminating in being recognised as Businessperson of the Year 2024 in the Barking and Dagenham Chamber of Commerce Business Awards.

Beyond business he has served as a district councillor for Tendring since 2019, including roles as vice-chair and chairman of the council and is a former Metropolitan Police Special Constable.

He described himself as a passionate supporter of the armed forces and veterans, serving as an ambassador for UK Homes 4 Heroes.

Mr Harris said: "I'm standing because Essex deserves a Mayor who puts our people first. I've spent my whole life in the real world: starting as an apprentice, building businesses, creating jobs, and serving my community.

"I know the pressures families and local firms are under, and I know how much better Essex can be when leadership is focused on delivery, not excuses.

Peter Harris is a former chair of Tendring District Council.

"This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform our county; safer streets, protecting our green spaces, real investment, proper skills training and communities built with the schools, GPs and transport they need.

"I will be a Mayor who fights for Essex every single day and makes sure our county never gets ignored again."

Mr Harris is something of a political butterfly.

In 2018 he defected from a high-profile role as with UKIP, for who he had stood as a parliamentary candidate in Dagenham and worked as London regional controller, joining the Conservative party where he described himself as an avowed admirer of Jacob Rees Mogg.

He said he was considering standing for the council in Dagenham, adding: "If we are to hold this council to account then we need to get behind the task of electing a large number of Conservative councillors. The Conservatives are the only real alternative to Labour."

However, having moved to rural Essex, he ended up standing for the Conservatives and winning a seat on Tendring Council for the Weeley and Tendring ward. He retained the seat for the Tories in 2023 but then pledged allegiance to the Tendring Residents Alliance as an independent.

He joined Reform in a blaze of publicity last July, a move announced by Reform leader Nigel Farage at a rally at the Princes Theatre in Clacton.

Mr Harris joins six other candidates already nominated. They are:

James Allen - Liberal Democrat

A former magistrate he stood for the Lib Dems in Southend East and Rochford in last year's general election.

Mr Allen said in a statement: "As mayor, I will focus on improving transport and infrastructure, boosting skills and jobs, tackling the housing crisis with genuinely affordable homes, and building safer, healthier communities through joined-up work with Essex Police, Fire Services, and the NHS."

The BBC is set to interview the Lib Dem candidate later in November.

Adam Fox - Labour

Adam Fox, 42, has been deputy leader of Colchester City Council and stood for Labour to be Essex Police Fire and Crime Commissioner.

He has worked in the charity and health sector and currently works for local MP Pam Cox.

"What I want to deliver is real fairness and opportunity for people across the county. That's about providing good jobs and skills," he said. "Making sure people have genuinely affordable homes to live in."

Mr Fox said new housing should be built around existing transport infrastructure like train stations and said garden communities built with infrastructure first is the right approach.

Louise McKinlay - Conservative

Louise McKinlay, 47, is deputy leader of Essex County Council.

Born in Rochford, she lives in Brentwood with her family and she used to be the local council leader. She runs a property management company with her husband.

"I want to be a mayor that can be advocating for business, particularly small businesses, they are the backbone of the Essex economy," she said.

"They need somebody who understands the county and who has run a business themselves."

James Miller - Confelicity

James Miller, 44, is operations director of Stockvale group whose businesses include Adventure Island in Southend.

He founded a local party called Confelicity, which means "joy in other people's happiness".

Mr Miller said it is neither left or right and policy is decided by its 100 members.

Confelicity has fielded candidates across Southend in local elections, but has no councillors.

"If there is one thing I would do if I was elected is stop all the building on the green belt land," he said.

Philip Miller - Independent

Philip Miller, 70, is the executive chairman of Stockvale Group that runs Adventure Island and Sealife Adventure in Southend where he was born.

He said he was "standing as a businessman".

"Every time I see another crackers decision whether it is government or council, I always think why on earth are they doing this. I just thought I can just do a better job."

Mr Miller would "have a cull as much as possible as there are far too many chiefs and not enough Indians".

Natasha Osben - Green

Natasha Osben, 37, lives and grew up in Clacton. She stood there as the Green party candidate in the 2024 general election and for Labour in 2017 when Jeremy Corbyn was leader. She is an academic and mother of four children.

She said she supports every Green Party policy.

"My first priority would be to ensure that the combined county authority is accountable and transparent.

"There's the prospect for people having less opportunity to have a say on decisions that effect their daily lives. Things from housing and planning.

She added a priority would be fixing public transport "which is absolutely dire in Essex".