Mrs Badenoch, whose seat of North West Essex has councillors who were up for election, has hailed results across the country as a success for her party. She said that the election result was proof that the party was going through a period of renewal, and that party activists should be "very proud of how we have done". But Mr Farage taunted his Tory rival, saying she "speaks of 'renewal' of the Conservatives" but would "lose her own seat [...] based on these Essex County Council results!"

The two parties have been battling it out for dominance on the Right. A Reform spokesman said the Conservative Party was "toast outside of London".

The Conservatives took control of Westminster City Council, which was welcomed by the Tory leader.

She said: "Just two years ago, people were writing us off, saying that we were completely finished, and now we are winning Westminster."

Mrs Badenoch continued: “I’m very proud of how we have done.

"I’m not saying that we’re there yet. I’m not saying that the results are perfect. There are loads of councillors, Conservative councillors, who have lost their seats, but they can see that our strategy is working good."

More results are expected throughout the rest of the day and into the weekend.

For Reform, taking Essex is being seen as a major win by the party, with an insider telling the Express that they had "parked their tanks" on the Tories' lawn.