Reform UK Takes Control of Essex County Council
Reform UK has secured control of Essex County Council, ending the Conservative Party's 25-year dominance of the local authority. After counting votes overnight and into the morning, Nigel Farage's party surpassed the threshold of 40 seats.
The party attributed its success to voters seeking change, with councillor Russell Quirk stating that people had expressed their dissatisfaction with traditional Westminster parties.
"It's proven by the results that [Labour, Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats] haven't covered themselves in glory," said Quirk, who is still awaiting confirmation of his own election to Essex County Council.
Quirk, already a Brentwood borough councillor, described the election as a "litmus test" and a "barometer of feeling nationally and locally." He told BBC Essex presenter Sonia Watson that voters were disappointed with the Conservative administration's record on council tax increases and pothole repairs.
Several Conservative cabinet members on Essex County Council lost their seats, including John Spence, responsible for adult social care; Peter Schwier, environment portfolio holder; and Mark Durham, in charge of culture. Among the six Tory shadow cabinet members who are MPs in Essex is party leader Kemi Badenoch.
District Council Elections Reflect Reform UK Gains
Reform UK also made significant gains in district council elections across Essex, taking seats from the Conservatives, Labour, and independents.
In Rochford District Council, Reform UK won all 13 seats contested, including the defeat of Conservative council leader Danielle Belton. Although Reform UK became the largest party on the council, the authority remains under no overall control.
In Basildon, Reform UK secured 11 seats. Labour and the Conservatives each hold 12 seats, positioning Reform UK as a potential key player in the local authority's administration.
Sam Journet, Reform UK group leader in Basildon, described the result as an "absolutely barnstorming" victory.
Reform UK also won five seats on Colchester City Council and eight on Southend-on-Sea City Council. Despite these gains, both councils remain under no overall control.
Labour lost three seats to Reform UK in Southend. Council leader Daniel Cowan expressed concern over the campaign's focus, stating:
"There had been 'no talk of local services' during the campaign. That really concerns me. People have been elected on a national message, but nobody knows what their local mandate is. These elections are about local services, not national politics."
In contrast, Reform UK did not replicate its success in Harlow, where the Conservatives won all 11 seats contested on the district council, increasing their majority.
Mixed Results for Other Parties
The Liberal Democrats experienced varied outcomes across Essex. At Brentwood Borough Council, they retained enough seats to remain the largest party, though the council remains under no overall control.
Colchester's Liberal Democrat leader, David King, attributed the results to "national discontent with established parties."
The Green Party maintained its seats on Essex County Council and made two gains at Southend. However, their overall impact in Essex remains limited.
Voter Turnout and Next Steps
Turnout increased significantly compared to the last local elections in Essex two years ago. Some wards in Basildon recorded turnout above 50%. Colchester saw 41% turnout, while Southend's turnout rose to 43%, up from 31% in 2024.
Negotiations between parties are expected across many district councils to determine who will form administrations.
Results for Thurrock Council and Epping Forest District Council are anticipated later on Friday, along with the remaining counts for Essex County Council.
Additional reporting by Gabby Colenso, Southend.
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