Voters made their mind up in latest by-election and it's another south Essex victory by Reform

By Nub News Reporter 18th Jul 2025

Local News by Nub News Reporter 18th Jul 2025

REFORm romped to another y-=election victory in Basildon yesterday (Thursday, 17 July), continuing a recent surge that has seen them win seats in Thurrock, Castle Point and another Basildon ward.

Sam Journet was elected as a councillor for Basildon St Martins ward yesterday with 1057 votes.

Labour's Elizabeth Jane Atkinson won 833 votes while the Conservative's Deepak Roy won 320 votes.

The by-election was triggered after Labour's Maryum Yakub resigned last month and comes just weeks after Reform's candidate in the Wickford Park by-election, Sarah-Jane Shields, also claimed a victory.

Mr Journet said: "I am incredibly grateful to the fantastic residents of Basildon for choosing me as their representative on Basildon Council.

"I will work tirelessly for the betterment of its people and the town of Basildon itself.

"I'm no career politician, I'm a local lad who is passionate about Basildon. From being homeless at 13 to building one of the UK's top-rated independent jewellers, right here in St Martin's ward.

"Thank you to all the volunteers who came out to support me throughout the campaign, allowing us to speak to thousands of residents in the last few weeks."

The result comes as another blow to the ruling Labour group, whose leader Cllr Gavin Callaghan went into the election promoting his party's commitment to a better Basildon.

Cllr Callaghan also sits in the St Martins ward, where Cllr Journet polled more votes than he did when elected in May 2024 with 990 votes.

Basildon is currently run by Labour under a minority administration, supported by the aligned independent group.

The election was also a blow to the Conservatives, whose local campaign included a musical input by Thurrock councillor and former pop star and reality TV celebrity David Day - calling on Basildon voters to make their minds up.

They did! And the make up of the council after yesterday's election is 16 Labour, 13 Conservatives, 6 'grouped' independents, 4 Wickford Independents, 2 Reform and one unaligned independent.