FOLLOWING the declaration of results and a landslide win that saw Reform UK take all but four of the 49 seats in Thurrock, the party's local leader paid tribute to Nigel Farage.

Cllr Alex Anderson, a former Tory who crossed the council floor to sit as an independent before joining Reform in September 2024, said the scale of the victory exceeded even the party's expectations.

"Obviously we are very pleased," he said. "We were predicting a good night in Thurrock, but 45 out of 49 is more than good – so we are very happy.

"We've had a fantastic set of candidates out knocking on doors, engaging with residents and having those conversations, and I think the result tonight shows that.

"It's also true that Nigel Farage MP is very popular here in Thurrock. People really like him. He's been down and campaigned with us, and that's helped get us over the line."