UKIP leader Graham Snell has spoken out against forming a coalition with another party in the wake of his party dominating the recent Thurrock Council elections.

The Euro-sceptic party won seven seats to take their number to 13 in the chamber, taking five seats from Labour and one from the Tories in the process.

Tory leader Rob Gledhill also said no talks had taken place with other parties about forming a coalition, but didn’t go as far as to rule it out.

Ukip had been pinpointed as the kingmakers in forming a council, but it appears that may no longer be the case.

Mr Snell, who is councillor for the Stifford Clays ward said: “We don’t need to go into coalition with any party at all and that is not my intention.

“I don’t think that a coalition agreement with any party would add anything to our position at this stage and would not be in our interest.

“I would much rather that we continue on a vote by vote basis as we have been doing.”

Ukip’s triumphant election night means the make-up of the council currently has 18 Labour councillors, 17 Tory, 13 Ukip and one independent, meaning no one party has a majority of 25 the run the administration.

Prior to the election, many observed the previous six Ukip councillors backing Labour’s 23 in the chamber, perhaps in an unofficial deal.

Ukip will hold their first official group meeting since the election on Thursday night.

Mr Snell added: “Of course, this coalition policy could change after Thursday’s meeting but I would say at this stage that was unlikely.”

Despite a disastrous election locally, as well as nationally, Labour could still lead the council with just its 18 members if no deal is reached between parties.

Mr Gledhill said no conversation’s had yet taken place with Mr Snell, or current Labour and council leader John Kent. He added he wants to see “constructive relationships” formed to help shape the council.

He said: “This Municipal Year there are a number of key decisions to be made, not least the budget. It’s no good getting to Full Council next year and having no party who can command the numbers to pass a budget.

“It would be chaos for the Council, add cost to Council Tax, and cause further disillusion in the political process in Thurrock. That is why we need constructive relationships formed now so all parties are working to shape the Council budget and policies.”

He added: “Whilst we should learn from the past, we should not dwell in it and use old personal or political arguments as a reason not add stability to Thurrock.

“A stable Thurrock Council will attract investment, improvements and opportunity whereas one that has its members making decisions based on press speculation, party politics and rhetoric will see services decline, residents suffer and probably intervention.

“The old style of ‘administration’ and ‘opposition’ are less relevant with such a three way split. We now need to find a way of constructive leadership and accountability that is the best for Thurrock.”

Labour leader Mr Kent hasn't responded to the Gazette's request for comment.