1989 Invited to join the Conservative Party with a view to standing for Eastwood Ward in the 1990 elections to Southend-on-Sea Borough Council. Elected.

* 1990 Appointed as Vice-Chairman of Recreation Committee

* 1991 Appointed Chairman of Recreation Committee with special responsibility for building a new leisure centre at Garon Park. Appointed as Vice-Chairman of Entertainments Committee overseeing the continuing development of the Cliffs Pavilion Extension.

* 1992 - 1994 Appointed as Chairman of the Leisure Committee when Entertainments and Recreation were combined. Cliffs Pavilion extension completed 1992 and Southend Tennis and Leisure Centre and athletics track completed 1994.

* 1994 Lost seat in Eastwood Ward as part of a national cull of Conservatives supporting an unpopular Conservative government.

*  1996 Elected for Belfairs Ward - the only Conservative elected in Southend West that year. There was a tied vote and there was a drawing of straws which I won. Opposition spokesman on Leisure. 1998 - 2000 Deputy Leader of the Conservative Group.

* 2000 Following unitary authority elections in which Conservatives took control, was elected for the new ward of West Leigh. Elected Deputy Mayor.

* 2001 Elected Mayor of Southend-on-Sea.

* 2002 Elected Deputy Leader of the Conservative Group and Southend-on-Sea Borough Council

* 2003 Elected Leader of the Council.

* 2005 Resigned as Leader of the Council because of family health problems.

* 2006 - 2010 The only political activity during this period was to support Southend West Conservative Association. Decided to try a return to local government following successful resolution of the aforementioned medical problems.