THE local elections in May made Essex national news when Ukip stormed to success in a number of councils.

The Euro-sceptic party took a number of seats in Thurrock, Basildon and Southend, seemingly bringing an end to the traditional three-party system.

Douglas Carswell became the party’s first elected MP in Westminster last month after defecting from the Conservatives in his Clacton seat.

So, should Chelmsford’s politicians be wary of the party’s growing strength in Essex? At the most recent whole city council elections in May 2011, the party only stood in two seats, not coming near to winning.

However, at a by-election in South Woodham last year and in Bicknacre and East and West Hanningfield in October, the party came a close second, suggesting Ukip mayhaveabig say in the next set of local elections in five months’ time.

ChelmsfordCouncil leader, Roy Whitehead, said regular surveys showed residents rated the city’s Conservative-run council highly and this was a possible reason for Ukip’s lowprofile in Chelmsford.

He said: “Over the past 12 years Chelmsford has undergone a renaissance under the control of Chelmsford Conservatives.

“The removal of many bureaucratic layers within the council has seen efficient services provided at low cost.”

Chris Rycroft, leader of the Chelmsford Lib Dems, said: “People recognise that elected Lib Dems stand up for their area and get things done.

“In those circumstances, people in places like Chelmsford and Colchester are re-electing their Lib Dems, not voting to protest.”