The North West Essex Conservative Party is pleased to announce Ray Gooding as its candidate for the Stansted Division in the May 2026 County Elections.
Commenting on his selection, Ray said:
"If re-elected I hope to use my experience to ensure that the Council continues to be properly administered. I also hope to promote and secure the position of the Charitable and Voluntary sector on which Local Authorities rely through the changes that are coming but, most importantly, to continue to represent the interests of the local community that I have served."
Ray is currently the Chairman of Essex County Council and by profession he is an Engineer and was for a number of years a Senior Partner in an Engineering Consultancy.
Since being first elected to the County Council, Ray has held a number of senior positions, including having held the Portfolios for Children’s Services and, for eight years, Education where, during his tenure he increased the number of schools within Essex rated good or outstanding from 66% to 94%.
Since then, he has been the chairman of the People and Families Scrutiny Committee and the Scrutiny Board which oversees the role of Scrutiny within the Council.
He is now seeking to once again stand for the Conservative Party and to help further the interests of residents right across Stansted.