BASILDON Council could be plunged into "chaos", following a landslide win for Reform UK at the local elections, according to a senior Independent councillor.

The council is set to be run by the Conservatives with "confidence" from Reform UK, but Cllr Kerry Smith, leader of the Independent Group, fears it will not succeed.

Reform UK won 11 of the 14 seats up at the election earlier this month, as Labour suffered a battering at the polls.

Labour has 13 seats, the Conservatives have 12 seats on the council, closely followed by Reform UK, with 11. But all parties insist there will be no coalition of parties running the council.

Longstanding councillor Kerry Smithsaid: "It's like the flight of the phoenix, it'll take off, it might go a short distance, but that'll be about it, I think, between the Tories and Reform.

"I think in a few months time, that's when it'll fall apart. I just don't see them working or holding together. They just won't work together." He said he "doesn't see it as Reform UK's fault." He said voters were "warned if you vote Reform, you get a Billericay Tory controlled council."

Following the election, Independents have four seats and Wickford Independents have three seats on the council. It comes after the council has been run by a coalition of Labour and Independent councillors.

Andy Barnes, leader of the Basildon Conservatives, expects to see a confidence and supply arrangement with the Tories and Reform UK. This could see Reform support the Conservatives on major decisions like the budget.

The Billericay councillor added: "What we desperately need in Basildon is stable administration, that can't be overturned at the first opportunity. We also need an administration where governance is key. I believe it will work and be successful. In terms of core services very little will change, that exists under the surface and is not something councillors have operational control over." He said the public "don't need to worry about any interruptions."

Sam Journet, leader of the Basildon Reform UK party said it's up to Labour and the Conservatives to form an administration. He added: "We are prepared to work with the administration that wants to put Basildon residents first. We will not be engaging with any coalition with either party. I support the administration that will deliver change." He said there "absolutely" can be positive outcome and progress.

Days after the election Gavin Callaghan, Labour council leader announced he will become the leader of the opposition. Labour was contacted for comment.