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UKIP wins first Kent County Council victories but Tories hold control UKIP wins first Kent County Council victories but Tories hold control
(about 2 hours later)
The Conservatives have held control of Kent County Council but with a much-reduced majority after the UK Independence Party won 15 seats. The Conservatives have retained control of Kent County Council but with a much-reduced majority after the UK Independence Party won 17 seats.
UKIP previously held one seat after a member defected to the party, so the wins in Thursday's election were its first at the polls.UKIP previously held one seat after a member defected to the party, so the wins in Thursday's election were its first at the polls.
The Green Party has won its first seat with Martin Whybrow taking Hythe from the Conservatives.The Green Party has won its first seat with Martin Whybrow taking Hythe from the Conservatives.
The Tories have also lost seats to Labour and Liberal Democrats.The Tories have also lost seats to Labour and Liberal Democrats.
In one vote a Conservative councillor beat his UKIP candidate mother-in-law. UKIP opposition party
A couple of vials of liquid were found in a ballot box in Whitstable and have been sent for analysis. The Conservatives held 45 seats and retained overall control but with a much reduced majority and losing 29 wards.
UKIP are the second largest party after winning 17 seats; Labour have 13; the Liberal Democrats seven and both Green Party and Residents Association have a single seat.
Seven out of eight seats in Thanet have been won by UKIP, the other was won by Labour.Seven out of eight seats in Thanet have been won by UKIP, the other was won by Labour.
Keith Woollven, chairman of Maidstone UKIP, said: "We are very pleased with the results that we have gained both in Maidstone and in the whole of Kent. It confirms the fact that were now well placed as the third party in British politics. Keith Woollven, chairman of Maidstone UKIP, said: "We are very pleased with the results that we have gained both in Maidstone and in the whole of Kent.
"We're in line with what we were realistically expecting to gain which was an increased number of second places. "It confirms the fact that were now well placed as the third party in British politics.
'Positive reaction' "We're in line with what we were realistically expecting to gain which was an increased number of second places."
New Green councillor Mr Whybrow described his Hythe ward as a "ray of green light" surrounded by Conservative and UKIP seats.New Green councillor Mr Whybrow described his Hythe ward as a "ray of green light" surrounded by Conservative and UKIP seats.
"It's been a remarkable morning here. There was a big turnout in Hythe over 40% so we were late in with the result compared to the others," he said. "It's been a remarkable morning here. There was a big turnout in Hythe, over 40% so we were late in with the result compared to the others," he said.
"Over the last couple of weeks the confidence levels were growing because the reaction we were getting from the canvassing, from pounding the streets was so positive."Over the last couple of weeks the confidence levels were growing because the reaction we were getting from the canvassing, from pounding the streets was so positive.
"Obviously as a little party what we had to persuade people of was that we were credible.""Obviously as a little party what we had to persuade people of was that we were credible."
Counting has finished in Tunbridge Wells with UKIP's Christopher Hoare winning one seat and the Conservative Party holding five. 'Small glass vials'
The district count in Whitstable was delayed for about three hours after vials of a liquid were found in a ballot box.
Kent Police removed the items and took them away for analysis, according to a spokesman for Canterbury City Council.
He added: "There were two small glass vials contained in a ballot box that came from one of the polling stations in Whitstable.
"The vials are with the police waiting for identification of what the liquid is."
Tory Jan Ozog beat his mother-in-law Jo Shippam, who was standing for UKIP, to hold on to his West Hill seat. Mr Ozog gained 1,560 votes to Ms Shippam's 1,112.Tory Jan Ozog beat his mother-in-law Jo Shippam, who was standing for UKIP, to hold on to his West Hill seat. Mr Ozog gained 1,560 votes to Ms Shippam's 1,112.
Conservative control Kent County Councillor leader Paul Carter said: "I have always said that 80% of local government elections reflect the national scene and 20% is the hardworking local councillors and clearly that has been the case up and down the country.
"I think that national government needs to think long and hard about how it is going to change its direction on a number of issues, migration being one of them."
Residents across Kent, except those in Medway, where there were no elections for the unitary authority, cast their votes at 800 polling stations.Residents across Kent, except those in Medway, where there were no elections for the unitary authority, cast their votes at 800 polling stations.
About one million people were eligible to vote in the county council election.About one million people were eligible to vote in the county council election.
The Conservatives strengthened their control at county hall in the last elections, held four years ago, when Labour was replaced by the Liberal Democrats as the main opposition.The Conservatives strengthened their control at county hall in the last elections, held four years ago, when Labour was replaced by the Liberal Democrats as the main opposition.
The Tory party held 72 seats, the Lib Dems seven and Labour three. UKIP and a residents' association held one seat each.The Tory party held 72 seats, the Lib Dems seven and Labour three. UKIP and a residents' association held one seat each.
This time, a total of 15 parties put up candidates, with the Conservatives having the most at 84.
Labour had 83, UKIP 74 and the Lib Dems 70 candidates. The remaining parties fielding candidates ranged from independents to English Democrats and the Monster Raving Loony Party.