WHILE the count remains to be made today (Friday, 8 May) for all seats on Thurrrock Council - results in neighbouring Basildon, where 14 seats were up for grabs, have prompted celebrations from Reform UK and disappointment for the Labour leadership.

Control of Basildon Council remains in the balance after an election count that saw a landslide towards Reform UK.

In the coming months the two councils will be working together, towards a planned merger in 2028 under Local Government Reorganisation.

Overnight declarations in Basildon saw Reform win 11 out of the 14 seats declared overnight after yesterday's poll across the where Labour made big loses. Currently the party led by Cllr Gavin Callaghan have control of the council because of an alliance with the independents but the landscape in the chamber has changed drastically.

Tories and Labour both have 12 seats, Reform UK has 11 seats, Independents have four seats and Wickford Independents have three seats. With no overall control and possible negotiations to come, it remains to be seen who will take charge going forwards.

Basildon's often outspoken Reform leader Sam Journet, who retained his St Martins ward seat, said residents in Basildon have been "crying out for a change".

He said he was "absolutely elated" and expressed his gratitude to residents for putting their faith in the party, despite their relative inexperience.

Cllr Sam Journet (centre) looked on as votes indicating a huge success for his party were counted.

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"Thank you for trusting us, because I can understand some people being a bit hesitant to vote for a party that maybe has not represented them in the borough."

Cllr Callaghan and senior Labour figures left the count after refusing to speak with the media.

Basildon Council ward outcomes:

• Billericay East: Martyn Mordecai - Conservative HOLD with 2,341 votes.
• Langdon Hills: Damion Lewis - Reform UK GAIN with 1,720 votes.
• Burstead: Kevin Blake - Conservative HOLD with 2,654 votes.
• Billericay West: Daniel Lawrence - Conservative HOLD with 2,536 votes.
• Wickford North: Steven Swaby - Reform UK GAINS with 2,106 votes.
• Castledon & Crouch: Zoe Hockton - Reform UK GAIN with 2,329 votes.
• Pitsea North West: Jeff Noble - Reform UK GAIN with 1,468 votes
• Pitsea South East: David Abrahall - Reform UK GAIN with 1,739 votes.
• Wickford Park: John Peters - Reform UK GAIN with 1,640 votes.
• Lee Chapel North: Jose Kattady - Reform UK GAIN with 1,420 votes.
• Nethermayne: Wayne Lowther - Reform UK GAIN with 1,290 votes.
• Laindon Park: Darren Gregg Gardner - Reform UK GAIN with 1,679 votes.
• Fryerns: Eileen Marilyn Brown - Reform UK GAIN with 1,594 votes.
• St Martin's: Sam John Journet - Reform UK HOLD with 1,280 votes.

Full results will follow.

Votors in Basildon also took part in elections for Essex County Council. Results from that poll will also be posted later.

Visit https://basildon.nub.news/ for more details as the day progresses.