WHILE the country was reeling from the shock of a surprise Conservative victory, very little changed in Rochford.

Elections to Rochford District Council resulted in almost uniform holds across the 12 wards put forward to voters on Thursday, however this was itself something of a surprise, as the Tories appeared to be heading for a number of losses.

Over the last 18 months, four Conservatives had defected to the Rochford District Residents (RDR) group, but on polling day itself it was the latter which sustained losses at the expense of the Tories.

The Blues held each one of the wards it was defending in Ashingdon and Canewdon, Barling and Sutton, Foulness and Great Wakering, Grange, Hawkwell North, Hockley Central, Hullbridge and Rochford.

However, they also made gains in Hawkwell South and Sweyne Park, two wards previously held by RDR councillors Christine Mason and Toby Mountain – himself a former Conservative who resigned the Tory whip before joining RDR.

However, while the Tory gains mirrored the surprise victories seen across the country, Ron Oatham’s success in maintaining Downhall and Rawreth for the Lib Dems bucked a national trend which saw the party’s 57 parliamentary seats reduced to a paltry eight.

The RDR was able to maintain only one ward, with Christine Mason being returned for Hawkwell West.