JUST two weeks after celebrating a landslide victory, taking 45 of 49 seats available in Thurrock, the gloss has somewhat been taken off Reform UK's jubilation in the borough with news that two of its councillors have already stepped down – prompting by-elections in the next few weeks.

Joseph Soper and Marc Stanley, who were elected in the Grays Riverside and Grays Town wards respectively, have resigned.

Cllr Soper came second in the Riverside poll but it was perhaps a measure of the lack of enthusiasm for the role that neither he, nor the two other successful Reform candidates, attended the count.

Marc Stanley came third in the Grays Town ward with 970 votes, helping unseat Labour council leader Lynn Worrall who came fifth, behind her colleague Lynda Heath, with 895 votes.

There has been no comment as yet from Thurrock Reform.

The announcement of the resignations came on Thurrock Council's website this evening (Thursday, 21 May).

This evening Reform issued statements on behalf of the two councillors.

Mr Soper said: "I love Grays, and it was an honour to be elected by the people of Grays Riverside.

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"However, a member of our family is currently battling serious illness and it's right that all my focus and effort is on supporting them through this difficult time.

"Thurrock Reform have a huge task on their hands cleaning up the mess that the previous Labour and Tory administrations left this borough in, and I'm still 100% behind the team as they begin to do this."

Mr Stanley said: "I'm immensely proud to have been elected on May 7th.

"Unfortunately, due to a change in personal circumstances, I'm not in a position to represent the people of Grays Town to the best of my ability.

"The people of Grays Town have been let down by Labour and the Tories for too long. They deserve only the very best representation."

The annual meeting of the council, when Reform will officially take over the leadership of the council, naming a cabinet, a new Mayor and committee members, is on Wednesday, 27 May.