THE local elections in May made Essex national news when Ukip stormed to success in a number of councils across the county.

The Euro-sceptic party took a number of seats in Thurrock, Basildon and Southend, seemingly bringing an end to the traditional three-party system of politics. Since then, Douglas Carswell has become the party’s first elected MP in Westminster after defecting from the Conservatives in his strong Clacton seat.

For the first time in a decade, Brentwood Council is not being run by the Tories, instead it’s a coalition of the Lib Dems, Labour, Brentwood First and an Independent, with a majority of just one seat.

Mike Le-Surf, Labour leader in Brentwood, said there was no room for complacency for the town’s administration, and had Ukip won a seat in May, the outcome may have been different.

He said: “I believe Brentwood residents are, in the main, liberal and socially democratic people who realise the politics of hate and division won’t be the answer to our nation’s problems.”

Councillor Roger Keeble, the only Independent on Brentwood Council and deputy mayor, said: “Certainly Ukip must not be underestimated in May 2015, but I would find it impossible to form any coalition with any success they may have.”