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Election results: Heavy Conservative losses in Essex | Election results: Heavy Conservative losses in Essex |
(about 2 hours later) | |
A Conservative MP became visibly upset as the Tories lost a comfortable majority in Chelmsford. | |
It topped off a bad night in Essex for the party, which lost control of two other councils and saw their majority slashed at a third. | |
In Chelmsford, MP Vicky Ford said national frustration with Brexit had hit the Conservative vote locally. | |
However, amid gains for the Lib Dems, the Tories managed to retain control of three Essex councils. | |
At the Chelmsford count, Ms Ford became emotional as she reflected on "a very disappointing night". | |
"I think it is really disappointing when you look at some of the individuals who have lost their seats tonight," she said. | |
"People who have worked their socks off for Chelmsford. | |
"Some of those councillors who have really worked so hard and helped to make Chelmsford so fantastic. | |
"They have lost their seats as a result of what is happening nationally reflecting back in people not wanting to turn out and vote locally." | |
Essex Tory losses: | |
Colchester Borough Council was in the spotlight before the elections with a coalition of Liberal Democrats, Labour and independents holding a slim majority over the Conservatives. | Colchester Borough Council was in the spotlight before the elections with a coalition of Liberal Democrats, Labour and independents holding a slim majority over the Conservatives. |
The Tories lost two seats, including leader Darius Laws, who was beaten by Green Mark Goacher. | |
Mr Laws said Brexit was partly to blame for the poor showing. | Mr Laws said Brexit was partly to blame for the poor showing. |
He said: "Brexit definitely is a contributing factor but perhaps some bigger national newspapers have wanted it to be a bigger issue [than it was]. | He said: "Brexit definitely is a contributing factor but perhaps some bigger national newspapers have wanted it to be a bigger issue [than it was]. |
"It came up on the doorstep but people almost just shrugged their shoulders on it." | "It came up on the doorstep but people almost just shrugged their shoulders on it." |
He added: "I am naturally disappointed, I think I have been a competent councillor in the town and have done some different things and taken different approaches. | He added: "I am naturally disappointed, I think I have been a competent councillor in the town and have done some different things and taken different approaches. |
"The national mood hasn't helped." | "The national mood hasn't helped." |
In Clacton, Tendring District Council's count was delayed after 1,000 postal votes arrived on the day with 200 having inadvertently been sent to Chelmsford. | In Clacton, Tendring District Council's count was delayed after 1,000 postal votes arrived on the day with 200 having inadvertently been sent to Chelmsford. |
The votes were sent on by express delivery and were counted. | The votes were sent on by express delivery and were counted. |
In Thurrock, UKIP lost all of its seven seats as the council remained in no overall control. | |
Analysis | Analysis |
By BBC Look East political correspondent Andrew Sinclair | |
It has been a bad night for the Conservatives. | It has been a bad night for the Conservatives. |
Not only did they fail to take control of Colchester council - their main target - their leader lost his seat to the Greens. | Not only did they fail to take control of Colchester council - their main target - their leader lost his seat to the Greens. |
The Tories also lost control of Basildon and Southend due to gains by Labour, independents and Liberal Democrats. | The Tories also lost control of Basildon and Southend due to gains by Labour, independents and Liberal Democrats. |
But they will still be the main party of local government in the East. | But they will still be the main party of local government in the East. |
They held on to Castle Point, Brentwood and Rochford, and I would expect them to hold onto most of their other councils in the East. | They held on to Castle Point, Brentwood and Rochford, and I would expect them to hold onto most of their other councils in the East. |
The smiles are on the faces of the Liberal Democrats. The Conservatives? I am not sure they are smiling. | The smiles are on the faces of the Liberal Democrats. The Conservatives? I am not sure they are smiling. |