Voters could be given the power to get rid of 'bad' councillors under new proposals discussed last night by Thurrock Council.

Councillor Jack Duffin proposed the council write to government to support new powers to ‘recall’ councillors at last night’s full council meeting in Grays.

Under Mr Duffin's proposals, ‘under-performing’ councillors would only need a vote by 20% of voters to get the boot.

In the meeting, Mr Duffin said: “The idea that you become a dictator for four years, even if you do something illegal, breaking election promises, is not right.”

“This is about empowering voters - if councillors aren't delivering, it's time they went out the door.”

Red lines to trigger the recall process would include ‘failing to represent, crossing the floor or breaking electoral promises’.

The motion was voted through by the majority of council members from all parties, with an amendment proposed by the Conservative party.

Councillor Shane Hebb’s amendment said only criminal behaviour or gross misconduct would be booted out under the plans.

Councillor John Kent said he would be supporting the amendment as the principle behind Recall was “right”.

But, he added the “vast majority” of people who stand for election “genuinely want to improve the lives of people and the borough.”

He said: “I think the powers of recall would be used extraordinarily rarely but it would be something residents would have in their backpocket.”

After the meeting, Mr Hebb added there were two or three Thurrock councillors over the last five years who would have been considered under new recall powers.

Despite the motion being voted through, Mr Duffin said after the meeting he was "bitterly disappointed" with the "watering-down" of the motion.

He said: "It is a real shame that the out of touch establishment parties decided to water down the tough measures I proposed but this is a step in the right direction for now."