Tories lose South East councils amid UKIP surge

The Conservatives have lost control of two councils, in Kent and Sussex, following gains for Labour and a surge in support for UKIP in the local elections.

The party lost Crawley and overall control of Maidstone.

Labour stayed in power in Hastings and the Conservatives kept control of Adur, Worthing, Runnymede, Elmbridge, Reigate and Banstead, Tandridge and Tunbridge Wells and Woking.

The Conservatives remain the largest party in Mole Valley but still with no overall control.

South East Today's Political Editor Louise Stewart spoke to Peter Lamb, Leader of Crawley council, Jeremy Birch, Leader of Hastings council, Amber Rudd, Conservative MP for Hastings and Rye, Christine Edwards-Daem, UKIP councillor in Maidstone, David Neve, Lib Dem councillor in Tunbridge Wells and Sam Gyimah, Conservative MP for East Surrey.