Reform ends Tories' 25-year control of Essex

Reform has won control of Essex County Council and ended the Conservatives' 25-year reign at the local authority.

Nigel Farage's party have 53 seats on the authority, a significant majority, after counting overnight and this morning.

Newly-elected Reform councillor Peter Harris said it was a "fantastic result for the people of Essex" and that residents wanted "change".

Harris told the BBC: "People will be waking up today delighted that they've got that change, and yes, they will hold us to account, and we will rise to that challenge - but we will do what we say we're going to do, and Essex will have a brighter future."

Former Tory Essex County Council leader Kevin Bentley, who has been on the authority for 17 years, lost his seat.

"It's democracy, and it's very important democracy is upheld - that's why we fought very hard, and I was very vocal about not cancelling these elections," he said.

"It's important that people have their say."

Several other Essex County Council cabinet members lost seats, including John Spence, in charge of adult social care, Peter Schwier, environment portfolio holder and Mark Durham, in charge of culture.

In Thurrock, Reform won 45 out of the 49 seats.

Labour's Sue Shinnick kept her seat on the unitary authority and said the overall results were "very disappointing".

Elsewhere, Farage's party won all 13 seats up for grabs on Rochford District Council, with Conservative council leader Danielle Belton losing her seat.

Reform becomes the largest party on the council, but the authority remains under no overall control.

In Basildon, the party won 11 seats. Labour and the Tories still have 12 seats each, but Reform could end up being involved in the running of the local authority.

Sam Journet, Reform UK group leader in the town, said it was an "absolutely barnstorming" win.

Reform won five seats at Colchester City Council and eight at Southend-on-Sea City Council, but once again, both councils remain under no overall control.

Labour lost three seats to Reform in the coastal city.

Southend council leader Daniel Cowan said there had been "no talk of local services" during the campaign.

"That really concerns me," Cowan said.

"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."

Reform won 11 seats at Epping Forest District Council, but once again, the authority remains under no overall control, with the Tories still the largest party.

Reform did not replicate its gains in Harlow, where the Tories won all 11 seats on the district council that were up for election, increasing their majority.

It has been a mixed picture for the Lib Dems in the county.

At Brentwood Borough Council, they won enough seats to remain the largest party, but it remains under no overall control.

Colchester's leader, Lib Dem David King, said it reflected "national discontent with established parties".

The Greens retained their single seat on Essex County Council, and made two gains at Southend - but otherwise did not make any breakthroughs.

Six Tory shadow cabinet members are MPs in Essex, including party leader Kemi Badenoch.

Turnout was up significantly on the local elections in Essex two years ago.

Some wards in Basildon saw turnout above 50%. In Colchester, 41% turned out, and Southend witnessed a 43% turnout - up from 31% in 2024.

Negotiations between parties will now take place across many of the district councils, to see who will form administrations.

Additional reporting by Gabby Colenso in Southend, and Charlotte Rose in Colchester.