LABOUR were the chief winners as Colchester’s political heavyweights battled each other and voter apathy.
As support for the Big 3 parties stagnated, UKIP candidates came from nowhere to secure six 2nd places and three 3rd places.
But the tangible spoils went to Labour, which held onto the only division they won in the whole of Essex in 2009 before snatching Maypole from the Lib Dems.
In the end stalwart Dave Harris, who is also a borough councillor, comfortably defeated incumbent Lyn Barton by more than 700 votes in the ward, which covers Shrub End and Berechurch.
He said: “I’m over the moon.
“It’s been a hard campaign but I think the result indicates the type of councillor I am, which is a hard-working all year round campaigning type of guy.”
Elsewhere there were no changes, with the Conservatives easily holding onto its four divisions and the Lib Dems retaining its three remaining Colchester county councillors.
Turnout failed to creep above 35 per cent in any of the nine divisions up for grabs in Colchester borough.
The UK Independent Party, standing for the first time in county council elections in Colchester, came from nowhere to secure thousands of votes.
The Green Party fielded candidates in all nine divisions but failed to finish higher than fourth.
Overall, the Conservatives retained control of Essex County Council but saw its majority drastically reduced.
It lost 19 of its 59 seats - 9 to UKIP, 7 to Labour, 2 to the Greens, 1 to an independent candidates and 1 to Tendring first.
The Tories gained one seat, meaning it now controls 41 of the 75 divisions.
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