Contact: Tom Cunningham: 07855 287275, [email protected]
Friday, 28 August 2026
Braintree District Council Conservatives welcome four independent councillors
The Braintree District Council Conservative Group are announcing that four independent councillors on Braintree District Council have joined the Conservative Party and will sit as Conservative councillors.
Cllr Dennis Abram (Coggeshall ward), Cllr Joanne Beavis (Hedingham ward), Cllr Ann Hooks (Rayne ward), and Cllr Wendy Taylor (Hedingham ward) made the decision to best serve their residents and local communities, ahead of impending local government reorganisation. They join a Conservative controlled council determined to continue to provide the best services whilst preparing for future changes.
Speaking of the collective decision by the four independent councillors, Cllr Joanne Beavis said:
"I believe that this is a moment in time for our people, communities and the future of our district. The May 2026 elections showed us that most people, in the areas that the Independents currently hold, voted either Independent or Conservative. Our decision to join the Conservatives strengthens our local approach to people and place. As Independents our focus has been to listen to people and improve our local areas. On
behalf of Dennis, Ann, Wendy and myself, as the main Oppositon Leader at Braintree District Council, I believe that making the change and joining the Conservative Party, focussing on the future by running a strong 'Local' Conservative election campaign leading into the 2027 local elections, will allow people to see that we are listening and committed to providing what people really want. Joining the Conservatives will enable us to continue the work we have been doing for our communities over the past 5 years, while giving us additional support and resources. Our commitment to representing local people and communities and putting the needs of our areas first will remain unchanged. The Conservatives have a strong track record locally of delivering improvements whilst supporting with the cost-of-living crisis and keeping council tax low. We are a diverse district with a strong appetite for economic growth and local improvements. We are stronger together and have more in common than not and on that basis, we feel the change will lead to better opportunities for the future of our district.”
Welcoming the decision to join the Conservatives, Braintree District Council Leader, Cllr Tom Cunningham said: “We are delighted to welcome the four councillors to the Conservative Group. They have each demonstrated a strong commitment to their local communities and have worked hard to represent and support the residents they serve. We very much value the work they are already doing and look forward to supporting them as they continue that work, while bringing their experience, local knowledge and commitment to our local Conservative team. I am full of admiration for them taking this bold decision. Having known Jo for many years and worked with her in the past, I am thrilled she has returned to the Conservative group, and I am very pleased to be able to work with her closely again. I am also very happy to be welcoming Dennis, Ann and Wendy to our team. Alongside our existing group of excellent Conservative councillors, I am extremely upbeat about what we can all achieve for our residents, focusing on our priorities: of supporting communities, improving council services, agreeing a refreshed local plan, planning for change and keeping council tax low.”
Local Braintree Conservative Association Chairman, Cllr George Prime said: “This is an exciting moment, and I am delighted to welcome Joanne, Dennis, Ann, and Wendy to the Conservative Party. Their decision has been anything but easy. It has taken a great deal of soul-searching, which makes their decision to join us all the more significant, but it is a clear sign that the Conservative Party is fighting back after a difficult period and is a great tribute to Kemi Badenoch’s leadership and her clear plan for the country. It is also a ringing endorsement of the strength, record and ambition of Braintree District Conservatives. We are seeing increasing numbers of people joining our local association in recent weeks, and that momentum is growing. The message from residents is clear: they want a strong, determined Conservative voice standing up for Braintree and the wider district. We relish the challenge of the next local elections, and we are ready for a General Election at the earliest possible opportunity. The country deserves better and Conservatives are ready to provide the strong leadership, common sense and ambition that Britain needs.”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
- The four councillors will join the Conservative group with immediate effect.
- All four councillors have informed the ‘proper officer’ at Braintree DC that they wish to be included in the Conservative group numbers.
- The composition of the council and changes to committee membership will be updated in due course.
- Cllr Tom Cunningham, Cllr Kevin Bowers, Cllr George Prime and Cllr Jo Beavis will be available for further comment and questions after the Bank Holiday Weekend.
