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 has passed the threshold of 40 seats after counting overnight and this morning. Reform claimed "frustrated" voters had opted for "change", and its councillor Russell Quirk said people had vented their "disquiet" with the 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 yet to find out whether he has won a seat on Essex County Council. "This is a litmus test. A barometer of feeling nationally and locally." Quirk, who is already a Brentwood borough councillor, told BBC Essex presenter Sonia Watson people were disappointed with the Tories' tenure on the county council, including their record on increasing council tax and on potholes."

"Several Essex County Council cabinet members have lost seats, including John Spence in charge of adult social care, environment portfolio holder Peter Schwier, and Mark Durham, in charge of culture. Six Tory shadow cabinet members are MPs in Essex, including party leader Kemi Badenoch. 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 UK won control of Essex County Council and ended the Conservatives’ 25-year reign. Nigel Farage’s party passed the 40-seat threshold after overnight and morning counting. Reform attributed the result to frustrated voters seeking change and said people expressed disquiet with traditional Westminster parties. Several Conservative cabinet members lost seats, including those responsible for adult social care, environment, and culture. Reform also made major gains elsewhere, winning all 13 seats on Rochford District Council and becoming the largest party while the council remained without overall control. In Basildon, Reform won 11 seats, while Labour and the Conservatives each held 12, with Reform potentially involved in running the authority. Reform won seats at Colchester City Council and Southend-on-Sea City Council, with both councils still under no overall control.

Read at www.bbc.com