CANVEY Island Independence Party and Ukip have agreed to share power if the Tories lose their grip on Castle Point in May.

The independent group, which holds 14 of the 17 council seats on the island, and Ukip, which holds five seats on the mainland, will form a new administration if they have more seats than the Conservatives after the local elections.

CIIP will also lend its support to Ukip in the general election – backing Jamie Huntman’s bid to oust Conservative Rebecca Harris.

Dave Blackwell, leader of Canvey Island Independence Party, said: “We have had ten years of Tory administration in Castle Point and us alone on Canvey can’t change that.

“We have always restricted ourselves to Canvey, despite people from Benfleet asking us to stand.

“Since Ukip have come along, they have an alternative.”

Mr Huntman, who represents Thundersley on the county council and leads the Ukip group, said: “It’s an opportunity, if we are successful in May on the council, we can work together with them.

“It will give everyone the chance to be represented in Castle Point.”

Ukip has agreed not to field candidates on Canvey and CIIP will not field candidates on the mainland in May’s local elections.

If the Conservatives lose seats to Ukip, the parties have agreed to share power.

CIIP chairman Grace Watson said the parties had much in common, including opposition to building on green belt land and building any more homes on Canvey without infrastructure improvements.

Mrs Watson, who represents Canvey Island North, said she did not back Ukip’s anti-immigration stance, but admitted the party had thrown its weight behind Mr Huntman’s Westminster bid.

CIIP has long denied rumours of an alliance with Ukip.

But five CIIP councillors were photographed supporting Mr Huntman as Douglas Carswell, who was elected as Ukip’s first MP in Clacton last year, visited Castle Point last week.

Peter May, Alan Acott, Barry Campagna, Janice Payne, Peter Greig and Mrs Watson’s husband, Neville, were all out campaigning with Mr Huntman.

Mrs Watson added: “Ukip has got our support.”