By-election sees Reform win first seat on council

The by-election was called following the death of a long-serving councillor

Reform UK has won its first seat on Basildon Council.

Sarah-Jane Shields polled 922 votes in a by-election at Wickford Park, called following the death of an independent and long-serving councillor.

Former mayor David Harrison, who was first elected in 1971, died in April after a long illness.

Reform UK had already won four seats at other council by-elections in Essex in May - one seat on Castle Point, one seat on Harlow and two on Thurrock.

In Basildon, the Conservatives polled 840 votes, the Liberal Democrats collected 171 and Wickford Independents - Harrison's former party - polled 148.

Labour received 146 votes. The turnout for the by-election was 25.5%

A further by-election is being held at St Martin's in Basildon on 17 July, due to the resignation of Labour's Maryam Yaqub.