TORIES are calling for a vote of no confidence in Basildon leader Gavin Callaghan if his administration refuses to support Brexit.

A letter signed by all 20 Conservative councillors has called for an extraordinary council meeting, making several demands in relation to Brexit.

The letter states: “Where relevant to the council, it will support the delivery of the referendum result of June 2016”.

The letter adds: “This council does not support a second referendum or People’s Vote”.

It also calls on: “The leader of the council and his administration to exercise community leaderships by pursuing the above resolutions”.

The Tories have recently been ousted by a coalition but argue those in charge should pledge Basildon Council’s support for Brexit.

Tory councillor Andrew Schrader said: “We are calling on the council and the new administration, in light of the definitive European election results, to use their good offices and act as community leaders by communicating to the Government the very strong support that exists in Basildon for a smooth and orderly Brexit that honours the result of the 2016 referendum.

“Delivering on the referendum is vital to give the people of Basildon and our local businesses certainty and confidence.

“This requisition for an emergency meeting is made necessary by the new Labour-led administration’s dubious decision to cancel the scheduled council meeting in July and to not hold one until September.

“We believe this is unacceptable and the residents of Basildon need to be represented by their locally-elected leaders now, not in four month’s time.”

But new leader Gavin Callaghan has stated this is just a “distraction technique” taking focus away from the bigger issues.

Mr Callaghan said: “Obviously it is a national issue and as councillors we are not responsible for delivering Brexit.

“It is quite ironic that the Tories are talking about Brexit, and questioning us locally, when they have completely failed to deliver Brexit.

“I, as everyone does, want to see Brexit done and dusted as soon as possible so we can all get on with our lives. But this call for an extraordinary meeting is a destruction tactic, to take people’s eyes off our discovery on the £1 hotel.” The new alliance made up of Labour, the Independents and the Wickford Independents took control of the council from the Tories.