A PROTEST vote against the Government saw Tendring’s Tories lose four of their eight seats.

Ukip stormed to power in Brightlingsea and Tendring Rural East, with Tendring First winning Clacton East and Labour triumphant in Harwich.

In total, Ukip won nine seats at Essex County Council as the Conservative party took a battering.

Douglas Carswell, Conservative MP for Clacton, said the defeats sent a message to the Government there is a strong Euro-sceptic feeling among voters.

He said: “The national climate is not easy for Conservatives.

Ukip did not win any seats in Colchester, but secured six second places and three third places.

Even Rebecca Ager, a Basildon resident described by her own party as a “paper candidate”, landed 1,134 votes in coming second in Mersea & Tiptree.

Ron Levy, who came second in Parsons Heath & East Gates, admitted he was surprised by the UKIP success.

He said: “Some of the figures were beyond our expectations.

“I think there were some protest votes but over the last three weeks I’ve been receiving a colossal number of enquiries and applications for party membership.

“That’s not a protest vote, that’s people saying we like UKIP.”

Ukip gained one seat in Braintree as Gordon Helm beat the Conservatives into second place in Bocking.

Ukip also finished second in Braintree Eastern, Halstead, Hedingham, Three Fields with Great Notley and Witham Northern.

Mr Helm said: “It was a very big surprise.

“A lot of hard work went into leafleting and canvassing support and I’m delighted it’s paid off.”

<b>See Monday's Gazette for a four-page election special</b>