A FORMER Thurrock-based estate agent turned property PR specialist and media personality has been elected as the latest Reform member to join a local council an immediatley launched into criticism of the Conservative Party, of which he was a former member.

Brentwood Council's Hutton South ward by-election yesterday (Thursday, 2 October), called following the death of incumbent Cllr Mark Reed, who died in July this year and had held the seat since 2009, was won by Russell Quirk.

Mr Quirk, who ran the Quirk Deakin (Thurrock) estate agency from offices in Orsett Road, Grays from 2008 to 2009, polled 805 votes – totalling 46 per cent of the vote and was more than the Conservatives and Labour combined – overturned the 51 per cent that Cllr Reed won for the Tories in 2024.

The council remains without an overall majority for any party and stays under the control of the Liberal Democrats and Labour coalition.

Cllr Quirk, a TalkTV host, said: "We have just overturned a massive Conservative majority. We have decimated the Conservative vote in Hutton South; this isn't just Reform winning its first seat in Brentwood.

"This is indicative of the map of Essex. If the Conservatives can't hold one of their safest seats in Essex, then this should send a message to the Conservative hierarchy that they are finished. We have just parked Reform tanks on Kemi Badenoch's front lawn."

He added he hoped to make a difference in the council chamber.

He added: "I will be proposing proper intelligent alternatives that are better for the people at Brentwood.

"The interesting thing will be how many people support me I know my onions, and I'm going to make sure decisions are properly scrutinised and are made for the right reasons."

Full Results:

Thomas Bridge (Conservatives) 544

David Hale (Green Party) 66

Brenner Munden (Lib Dems) 109

Russell Quirk (Reform UK) 805

Jonathan Saunders (Labour Party) 234