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Election results: Heavy Conservative losses in Essex Election results: Heavy Conservative losses in Essex
(about 2 hours later)
The Conservatives have lost control of at least two councils in Essex - amid gains for the Lib Dems. A Conservative MP became visibly upset as the Tories lost a comfortable majority in Chelmsford.
Basildon Council and Southend Borough Council went to no overall control as the Tories lost seats, while in Maldon their majority was cut to just one. 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.
Independents and Liberal Democrats have made the biggest gains. In Chelmsford, MP Vicky Ford said national frustration with Brexit had hit the Conservative vote locally.
In Colchester, where the Tories started off one seat from a majority, their group leader lost his seat to the Green Party. However, amid gains for the Lib Dems, the Tories managed to retain control of three Essex councils.
The Conservatives also face losing control of Chelmsford, where they had held a 45-seat majority. At the Chelmsford count, Ms Ford became emotional as she reflected on "a very disappointing night".
Of the first 35 wards to be declared, 25 went to the Lib Dems. "I think it is really disappointing when you look at some of the individuals who have lost their seats tonight," she said.
'National mood against us' "People who have worked their socks off for Chelmsford.
Elsewhere in Essex, the Tories managed to hold on to Castle Point, Rochford and Brentwood Councils. "Some of those councillors who have really worked so hard and helped to make Chelmsford so fantastic.
Southend saw the Conservatives lose eight seats, with three each going to Labour and the Liberal Dems and two going to independents. "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."
Basildon slipped to no overall control as the Tories lost three seats. Labour took two, UKIP lost two and independents took three. Essex Tory losses:
Maldon saw the Tories cling on by one seat as their 25 majority was slashed by independents.
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.
Local Tory MP Will Quince was campaigning his party lost two seats including leader Darius Laws who was beaten by Green Mark Goacher. 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.
AnalysisAnalysis
Andrew Sinclair, political reporter, BBC Look East 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.