EFIG - From Humble Beginnings to Political Milestones
On a bleak January morning in Buckhurst Hill, the inaugural meeting of the newly-formed Epping Forest Independent Group (EFIG) took place. Nearly a dozen candidates gathered to share their vision for strengthening local communities and to chart a course towards the May 2024 local elections.
Building a brand in a changing environment
In just five months, and after distributing tens of thousands of leaflets, EFIG transformed from a minor presence on the local political scene to a formidable force, securing 14% of the District-wide vote. This achievement sent shockwaves through the local political landscape, significantly challenging the Conservative stronghold. This success was the result of dynamic, well-organised campaigns in the wards where our candidates stood.
Central to this transformation was the creation of a distinctive and recognisable brand: an eye-catching logo, appealing election materials, and a vibrant social media presence. The impact of these efforts was evident, as the local Conservatives speculated that we had enlisted expensive professional consultants—a testament to the effectiveness of our grassroots strategies.
EFIG also capitalised on the boundary changes within Epping Forest District. The 2024 elections introduced a new structure, with 18 wards electing three councillors each. Residents were given three votes to distribute among candidates. We focused on convincing voters to allocate one, two, or all three votes to our candidates, depending on the number we fielded in each ward.
Success across the District
This strategy bore fruit. EFIG candidates secured over 3,500 votes across five wards and won two seats on Epping Forest District Council. In Grange Hill, Cllr Lisa Morgan overcame an onslaught of Conservative disinformation, personal attacks, and even threats from local activists to retain her seat. Her strong performance also boosted Debby Rye, who narrowly missed becoming EFIG’s third District Councillor. Furthermore, EFIG succeeded in flipping Chigwell Parish Council from Conservative control for the first time, with Cllr Morgan appointed Chair—a remarkable achievement in an area known for its staunch Conservative support.
In North Weald, first-time candidate Tom Bromwich led a groundbreaking campaign against the Deputy Leader and Vice Chairman of the Council. His efforts saw an unprecedented number of posters and street signs in favour of a non-Conservative candidate. Tom’s decisive win, with 889 votes (47.2%), marked the first time in over 50 years that the Conservatives had lost in North Weald, reducing their share of the vote to a historic low of 32%. His campaign prioritised safeguarding North Weald Airfield, reopening the Epping-Ongar railway line, tackling speeding issues (particularly in Thornwood), and opposing Conservative plans for an Epping Forest ULEZ.
Spreading awareness of EFIG
In Chigwell, Shahzaad Malik achieved a significant milestone, securing over 22% of the vote and relegating the Chair of the Council to last place among the three Conservative candidates elected. His commitment to door-to-door engagement substantially enhanced his profile and voter reach.
Meanwhile, in Buckhurst Hill West and Loughton Roding, candidates Lyubka Mihailova and Malachi Fontenelle ran compelling local campaigns that elevated public awareness of EFIG. Their efforts were instrumental in securing the broader vote share and establishing EFIG as a credible alternative.
EFIG candidates and activists also collaborated with the ‘Epping and Rural Independent Group’ in three wards, contributing to the defeat of senior Conservative figures.
Looking ahead to 2025, we are committed to building on this momentum. We aren’t councillors and candidates who only speak to residents at election time, so will keep delivering, keep raising our voices about issues affecting our communities, and provide the real alternative to the stale and boring political choices voters have had to choose from for the last five decades.
