THE eyes of the UK were on Grays this afternoon where the recount for the South Basildon and East Thurrock constituency took place and a new MP for the Reform Party was confirmed.

Due to counting errors overnight the end verdict was delayed with less than 100 votes between Reform and Labour.

After several hours of counting the result was declared.

• James McMurdock (Reform) 12,178 (30.79%)
• Jack Ferguson (Labour) 12,080 (30.54%)
• Stephen Metcalfe (Conservative) 10,159 (25.69%)
• Neil Speight (Independent) 1,928 (4.87%)
• Elizabeth Grant (Green) 1,718 (4.34%)
• Dave Thomas (Liberal Democrats) 1,071 (2.71%)
• Steven Burnett (Independent) 275 (0.70%)
• Simon Breedon (Social Democratic Party candidate) 140 (0.35%)

Reform candidate James McMurdock narrowly beat the Labour candidate, Basildon councillor Jack Ferguson, by 98 votes to replace Conservative Stephen Metcalfe.

James McMurdock celebrates with supporters.

He joins leader Nigel Farage as the second Reform UK MP in Essex after Mr Farage was elected in Clacton.

Mr McMurdock said: "It's an absolute privilege and the gravity of responsibility is not lost on me."

Mr Metcalfe spoke about his disappointment at the result and of his thoughts on the state of the Conservative party.

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