# 1981 Essex County Council election

The 1981 Essex County Council election was held on 7 May 1981 to elect members of Essex County Council in Essex, England. This was on the same day as other local elections.

## Summary

1981 Essex County Council election :
| Party | Party | Seats | Gains | Losses | Net gain/loss | Seats % | Votes % | Votes | +/− |
| | Conservative | 51 | 0 | 12 | 32 | 52.0 | 42.5 | 197,461 | –19.5 |
| | Labour | 32 | 6 | 0 | 20 | 32.7 | 34.1 | 158,981 | +7.5 |
| | Liberal | 13 | 6 | 0 | 11 | 13.3 | 19.7 | 90,891 | +10.8 |
| | Residents | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2.0 | 1.2 | 5,556 | +0.1 |
| | Independent | 0 | 0 | 0 | | 0.0 | 1.1 | 5,335 | +0.2 |
| | SDP | 0 | 0 | 0 | | 0.0 | 0.5 | 2,097 | N/A |
| | Ind. Conservative | 0 | 0 | 0 | | 0.0 | 0.3 | 1,342 | N/A |
| | Ecology | 0 | 0 | 0 | | 0.0 | 0.2 | 1,122 | N/A |
| | Ind. Labour Party | 0 | 0 | 0 | | 0.0 | 0.2 | 973 | N/A |
| | New Britain | 0 | 0 | 0 | | 0.0 | <0.1 | 160 | N/A |
| Total | Total | 98 | | | | | | 462,244 | |

## Division results
### Basildon

Basildon District Summary :
| Party | Party | Seats | +/- | Votes | % | +/- |
| | Labour | 6 | 3 | 19,752 | 42.9 | +11.9 |
| | Conservative | 3 | 2 | 14,059 | 30.6 | –22.0 |
| | Residents | 1 | 1 | 3,873 | 8.4 | –1.5 |
| | Liberal | 0 | | 7,249 | 15.8 | +11.9 |
| | Ind. Conservative | 0 | | 907 | 2.0 | N/A |
| | Ecology | 0 | | 165 | 0.4 | N/A |
| Total | Total | 10 | 2 | 46,005 | 41.5 | –5.2 |
Division results
Basildon Crouch :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | R. Marshall | 1,387 | 34.0 |
| | Labour | R. Reed | 990 | 24.2 |
| | Ind. Conservative | F. Stark | 907 | 22.2 |
| | Liberal | P. Ferriss | 764 | 18.7 |
| | Ecology | C. Oppenheim | 35 | 0.9 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 397 | 9.7 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,083 | 46.3 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 8,815 | |
| | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) |
Basildon Fryerns :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | W. Archibald | 2,589 | 68.4 |
| | Conservative | G. Willett | 617 | 16.3 |
| | Liberal | M. Chambers | 499 | 13.2 |
| | Residents | P. Baker | 80 | 2.1 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,972 | 52.1 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 3,785 | 34.5 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 10,968 | |
| | Labour win (new seat) | Labour win (new seat) | Labour win (new seat) | Labour win (new seat) |
Basildon Gloucester Park :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | J. Costello | 3,691 | 67.6 |
| | Liberal | J. White | 952 | 17.4 |
| | Conservative | R. Sheridan | 819 | 23.6 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,739 | 50.1 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,462 | 43.4 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 12,585 | |
| | Labour win (new seat) | Labour win (new seat) | Labour win (new seat) | Labour win (new seat) |
Basildon Laindon :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | R. Bolt | 1,490 | 42.9 |
| | Liberal | R. Payne | 1,163 | 33.5 |
| | Conservative | E. Lane | 819 | 23.6 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 327 | 9.4 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 3,472 | 40.9 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 8,479 | |
| | Labour win (new seat) | Labour win (new seat) | Labour win (new seat) | Labour win (new seat) |
Basildon Pitsea :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | R. Oliver | 3,151 | 61.7 |
| | Conservative | E. Dines | 1,370 | 26.8 |
| | Liberal | R. Hawksworth | 589 | 11.5 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,791 | 34.9 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,110 | 37.9 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 13,475 | |
| | Labour win (new seat) | Labour win (new seat) | Labour win (new seat) | Labour win (new seat) |
Basildon Vange :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | G. Miller | 3,178 | 65.3 |
| | Conservative | A. White | 949 | 19.5 |
| | Liberal | J. Bell | 613 | 12.6 |
| | Ecology | G. Thomas | 130 | 2.7 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,229 | 45.8 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,870 | 37.2 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 13,100 | |
| | Labour win (new seat) | Labour win (new seat) | Labour win (new seat) | Labour win (new seat) |
Basildon Westley Heights :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | C. Maxey | 2,080 | 43.9 |
| | Conservative | M. Ilesley | 1,591 | 33.6 |
| | Liberal | L. Williams | 1,062 | 22.4 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 489 | 10.3 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,733 | 44.1 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 10,727 | |
| | Labour win (new seat) | Labour win (new seat) | Labour win (new seat) | Labour win (new seat) |
Billericay North :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | L. Greenfield | 2,600 | 53.1 |
| | Residents | T. Stansfield | 1,917 | 39.1 |
| | Labour | T. Wilson | 381 | 7.8 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 683 | 13.9 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,898 | 47.8 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 10,240 | |
| | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) |
Billericay South :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Residents | H. Wilkins | 1,876 | 34.9 |
| | Conservative | G. Jones | 1,764 | 32.8 |
| | Labour | C. Lynch | 913 | 17.0 |
| | Liberal | D. Chapman | 826 | 15.4 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 112 | 2.1 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,379 | 42.9 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 12,553 | |
| | Residents win (new seat) | Residents win (new seat) | Residents win (new seat) | Residents win (new seat) |
Wickford :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | E. Mickleborough | 2,143 | 50.9 |
| | Labour | W. Primmer | 1,289 | 30.6 |
| | Liberal | G. Palmer | 781 | 18.5 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 854 | 20.3 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,213 | 42.1 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 9,998 | |
| | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) |

### Braintree

Braintree District Summary :
| Party | Party | Seats | +/- | Votes | % | +/- |
| | Conservative | 5 | 2 | 16,196 | 45.1 | –16.7 |
| | Labour | 1 | 1 | 13,509 | 37.6 | +10.1 |
| | Liberal | 1 | 1 | 6,202 | 17.3 | +7.1 |
| Total | Total | 7 | | 35,907 | 43.4 | +4.0 |
Division results
Bocking :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | O. Sebag-Montefiore | 2,208 | 39.0 | –12.0 |
| | Labour | J. Hall | 2,177 | 38.4 | +5.6 |
| | Liberal | J. Ross | 1,279 | 22.6 | +6.4 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 31 | 0.5 | –17.7 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,664 | 48.0 | +6.2 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 11,802 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | 8.8 | |
Braintree East :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | Robert Dixon-Smith | 2,167 | 39.3 |
| | Labour | M. Oliver | 1,774 | 32.2 |
| | Liberal | P. Keeling | 1,571 | 28.5 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 393 | 7.1 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,512 | 45.1 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 12,233 | |
| | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) |
Braintree West :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Liberal | D. Grice | 2,166 | 37.6 |
| | Conservative | J. Amies | 2,122 | 36.8 |
| | Labour | M. Shirvington | 1,473 | 25.6 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 44 | 0.8 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,761 | 46.9 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 12,295 | |
| | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) |
Halstead :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | O. Joyce | 2,923 | 57.8 | –15.9 |
| | Labour | R. Dixey | 2,131 | 42.2 | +15.9 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 792 | 15.7 | –31.6 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,054 | 42.0 | +0.6 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 12,037 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | 15.9 | |
Hedingham :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | G. Waterer | 2,826 | 64.8 | N/A |
| | Labour | W. Alston | 1,533 | 35.2 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,293 | 29.7 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,359 | 39.8 | N/A |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 10,946 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | N/A | |
Witham Northern :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | J. Lyon | 2,323 | 44.1 |
| | Conservative | J. Allan | 1,757 | 33.4 |
| | Liberal | A. Slowman | 1,186 | 22.5 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 566 | 10.7 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,266 | 43.5 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 12,116 | |
| | Labour win (new seat) | Labour win (new seat) | Labour win (new seat) | Labour win (new seat) |
Witham Southern :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | D. Willetts | 2,193 | 51.1 |
| | Labour | C. Foy | 2,098 | 48.9 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 95 | 2.2 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,291 | 38.2 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 11,241 | |
| | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) |

### Brentwood

Brentwood District Summary :
| Party | Party | Seats | +/- | Votes | % | +/- |
| | Conservative | 5 | 1 | 13,144 | 52.2 | –18.2 |
| | Labour | 0 | | 6,176 | 24.5 | –1.6 |
| | Liberal | 0 | | 5,871 | 23.3 | +20.1 |
| Total | Total | 5 | 1 | 25,191 | 45.8 | +1.7 |
Division results
Brentwood Central :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | M. Hutton | 2,262 | 48.2 | –17.7 |
| | Liberal | A. Longman | 1,262 | 24.3 | +13.4 |
| | Labour | D. Edwards | 985 | 18.9 | +4.3 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,000 | 18.6 | –31.8 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,509 | 45.7 | +5.2 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 10,270 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | 15.6 | |
Brentwood Hutton :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | A. Donnelly | 2,956 | 56.8 | –24.1 |
| | Liberal | O. Hall | 1,262 | 24.3 | N/A |
| | Labour | D. Wacey | 985 | 18.9 | +1.2 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,694 | 32.6 | –30.6 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,203 | 44.1 | +2.2 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 11,790 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold |
Brentwood North :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | L. Jago | 2,230 | 52.3 | –26.3 |
| | Labour | L. Southgate | 1,044 | 24.5 | +3.1 |
| | Liberal | N. Amor | 987 | 23.2 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,186 | 27.8 | −29.4 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,261 | 44.9 | +3.5 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 9,486 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | 14.7 | |
Brentwood Rural :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | D. Jones | 3,106 | 57.2 |
| | Liberal | R. Sullivan | 1,581 | 29.1 |
| | Labour | L. Nicholas | 742 | 13.7 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,525 | 28.1 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,429 | 45.1 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 12,026 | |
| | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) |
Brentwood South :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | J. Hayward | 2,590 | 44.7 |
| | Labour | J. Reddell | 2,420 | 41.8 |
| | Liberal | M. Dwyer | 779 | 13.5 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 170 | 2.9 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,789 | 50.6 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 11,439 | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | |

### Castle Point

Castle Point District Summary :
| Party | Party | Seats | +/- | Votes | % | +/- |
| | Conservative | 4 | 1 | 11,770 | 46.8 | –24.5 |
| | Labour | 2 | 2 | 8,280 | 32.9 | +7.4 |
| | Liberal | 0 | | 3,628 | 14.4 | +11.2 |
| | SDP | 0 | | 1,460 | 5.8 | N/A |
| Total | Total | 6 | 1 | 25,138 | 39.4 | +0.9 |
Division results
Benfleet :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | J. Pike | 2,223 | 53.1 |
| | Labour | C. Prentice | 1,022 | 24.4 |
| | Liberal | T. Atkin | 939 | 22.4 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,201 | 28.7 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,184 | 42.6 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 9,827 | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | |
Canvey Island East :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | D. Nisbet | 1,782 | 40.5 | +11.1 |
| | Conservative | W. Ashworth | 1,707 | 38.8 | –31.8 |
| | SDP | A. Bennett | 912 | 20.7 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 75 | 1.7 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,401 | 33.3 | +3.8 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 13,215 | | |
| | Labour gain from Conservative | Labour gain from Conservative | Swing | 21.5 | |
Canvey Island West :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | D. Shaw | 2,081 | 47.4 | +11.3 |
| | Conservative | F. Wood | 1,345 | 30.7 | –16.2 |
| | SDP | M. Perrin | 548 | 12.5 | N/A |
| | Liberal | N. Chitty | 413 | 9.4 | –7.6 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 736 | 16.8 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,387 | 34.9 | –3.5 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 12,571 | | |
| | Labour gain from Conservative | Labour gain from Conservative | Swing | 13.8 | |
Great Tarpots :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | W. Brum | 1,700 | 43.8 |
| | Labour | G. Auvache | 1,495 | 38.5 |
| | Liberal | R. Michel | 684 | 17.6 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 205 | 5.3 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 3,879 | 39.4 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 9,846 | |
| | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) |
Hadleigh :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | R. Williams | 2,607 | 61.8 |
| | Liberal | D. Newton | 860 | 20.4 |
| | Labour | P. Ottino | 754 | 17.9 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,747 | 41.4 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,221 | 46.4 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 9,099 | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | |
Thundersley :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | J. Meggison | 2,188 | 53.8 |
| | Labour | J. Amey | 1,146 | 28.2 |
| | Liberal | W. Penny | 732 | 18.0 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,042 | 25.6 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,066 | 43.7 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 9,295 | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | |

### Chelmsford

Chelmsford District Summary :
| Party | Party | Seats | +/- | Votes | % | +/- |
| | Liberal | 5 | 5 | 20,288 | 42.9 | +19.2 |
| | Conservative | 4 | 4 | 19,431 | 41.1 | –16.9 |
| | Labour | 0 | | 7,539 | 15.9 | –1.7 |
| | Independent | 0 | | 42 | 0.1 | –0.5 |
| Total | Total | 9 | 1 | 47,300 | 45.8 | +2.9 |
Division results
Broomfield & Writtle :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | B. Platt | 2,635 | 51.6 |
| | Liberal | J. Gumbleton | 1,372 | 26.9 |
| | Labour | J. Bliss | 1,102 | 21.6 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,263 | 24.7 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,109 | 48.8 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 10,476 | |
| | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) |
Chelmsford East :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | A. Knight | 3,041 | 53.7 | +12.2 |
| | Conservative | J. Aberdour | 1,952 | 34.5 | –16.8 |
| | Labour | C. Playford | 668 | 11.8 | +4.6 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,089 | 19.2 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,661 | 44.3 | –6.7 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 12,784 | | |
| | Liberal gain from Conservative | Liberal gain from Conservative | Swing | 14.5 | |
Chelmsford North :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | T. Smith-Hughes | 2,828 | 56.4 | +41.9 |
| | Conservative | E. King | 1,309 | 26.1 | –20.3 |
| | Labour | S. McEvaddy | 875 | 17.5 | –21.6 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,519 | 30.3 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,012 | 48.9 | +8.0 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 10,258 | | |
| | Liberal gain from Conservative | Liberal gain from Conservative | Swing | 31.1 | |
Chelmsford South :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | R. Harmer | 2,488 | 45.6 | +33.9 |
| | Conservative | E. Coker | 2,139 | 39.2 | –30.5 |
| | Labour | A. Longden | 827 | 15.2 | –3.4 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 349 | 6.4 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,454 | 49.3 | +12.1 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 11,057 | | |
| | Liberal gain from Conservative | Liberal gain from Conservative | Swing | 32.2 | |
Chelmsford West :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | D. Ridgewell | 2,530 | 50.5 | +11.9 |
| | Conservative | P. Martin | 1,389 | 27.7 | –16.9 |
| | Labour | C. Cronin | 1,095 | 21.8 | +5.0 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,141 | 22.8 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,014 | 50.3 | +8.7 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 9,971 | | |
| | Liberal gain from Conservative | Liberal gain from Conservative | Swing | 14.4 | |
Great Baddow :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Liberal | J. Beard | 2,469 | 49.4 |
| | Conservative | C. Ince | 1,858 | 37.2 |
| | Labour | D. Shinn | 631 | 12.6 |
| | Independent | T. Wilson | 42 | 0.8 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 611 | 12.2 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,000 | 47.9 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 10,441 | |
| | Liberal gain from Conservative | Liberal gain from Conservative | Swing | |
Springfield :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | H. How | 2,587 | 46.3 |
| | Liberal | J. Burgess | 2,153 | 38.6 |
| | Labour | S. Clark | 844 | 15.1 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 434 | 7.8 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,584 | 44.8 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 12,478 | |
| | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) |
Stock :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | P. White | 3,154 | 53.5 |
| | Liberal | E. Clark | 1,709 | 29.0 |
| | Labour | K. Bliss | 1,033 | 17.5 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,445 | 24.5 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,896 | 41.8 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 14,116 | |
| | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) |
Woodham Ferrers & Danbury :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | D. Chatfield | 2,408 | 52.7 |
| | Liberal | M. Bender | 1,698 | 37.2 |
| | Labour | K. Skeates | 464 | 10.2 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 710 | 15.5 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,570 | 38.8 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 11,780 | |
| | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) |

### Colchester

Colchester District Summary :
| Party | Party | Seats | +/- | Votes | % | +/- |
| | Conservative | 5 | 2 | 19,456 | 49.8 | –18.2 |
| | Labour | 4 | 3 | 16,431 | 42.0 | +14.3 |
| | Liberal | 0 | | 2,646 | 6.8 | +2.4 |
| | Ecology | 0 | | 559 | 1.4 | N/A |
| Total | Total | 9 | 1 | 39,092 | 39.1 | –1.8 |
Division results
Constable :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | G. Hickson | 2,947 | 70.2 |
| | Labour | J. Kent | 1,253 | 29.8 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,694 | 40.4 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,200 | 41.9 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 10,021 | |
| | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) |
Drury :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | D. Lamberth | 2,988 | 51.0 |
| | Liberal | Martin Hunt | 1,738 | 29.7 |
| | Labour | C. Graves | 1,128 | 19.3 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,250 | 21.4 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,854 | 46.5 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 12,600 | |
| | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) |
Maypole :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | J. Fraser | 2,167 | 52.8 |
| | Conservative | W. Foster | 1,027 | 25.0 |
| | Liberal | William Spyvee | 908 | 22.1 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,140 | 27.8 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,102 | 35.3 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 11,636 | |
| | Labour win (new seat) | Labour win (new seat) | Labour win (new seat) | Labour win (new seat) |
Mersea & Stanway :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | R. Fairhead | 3,247 | 71.0 |
| | Labour | K. Taylor | 1,035 | 22.6 |
| | Ecology | G. Cox | 292 | 6.4 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,212 | 48.4 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,574 | 39.5 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 11,589 | |
| | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) |
Old Heath :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | J. Coombes | 2,707 | 60.7 |
| | Conservative | A. Steggall | 1,489 | 33.4 |
| | Ecology | M. Baker | 267 | 6.0 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,218 | 27.3 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,463 | 39.7 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 11,255 | |
| | Labour win (new seat) | Labour win (new seat) | Labour win (new seat) | Labour win (new seat) |
Park :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | E. Gawthrop | 2,196 | 51.4 |
| | Labour | J. Hills | 2,073 | 48.6 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 123 | 2.9 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,269 | 42.0 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 10,162 | |
| | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) |
Parsons Heath :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | Kent | 2,238 | 52.2 |
| | Conservative | Roots | 2,046 | 47.8 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 192 | 4.5 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,284 | 41.5 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 10,312 | |
| | Labour win (new seat) | Labour win (new seat) | Labour win (new seat) | Labour win (new seat) |
Tiptree division :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | F. Thornton | 2,077 | 60.7 |
| | Labour | T. Morecroft | 1,346 | 39.3 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 731 | 21.4 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 3,353 | 30.7 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 11,148 | |
| | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) |
Wivenhoe St Andrew division :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | H. Bryan | 2,485 | 63.3 |
| | Conservative | E. Jennings | 1,439 | 36.8 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,046 | 26.7 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 3,924 | 35.4 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 11,100 | |
| | Labour win (new seat) | Labour win (new seat) | Labour win (new seat) | Labour win (new seat) |

### Epping Forest

Epping Forest District Summary :
| Party | Party | Seats | +/- | Votes | % | +/- |
| | Conservative | 5 | 4 | 19,317 | 51.1 | –20.9 |
| | Labour | 2 | 2 | 12,096 | 32.0 | +7.5 |
| | Residents | 1 | 1 | 1,683 | 4.5 | N/A |
| | Liberal | 0 | | 4,527 | 12.0 | +8.5 |
| | Ecology | 0 | | 159 | 0.4 | N/A |
| Total | Total | 8 | 1 | 37,782 | 43.0 | +2.8 |
Division results
Buckhurst Hill :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | B. Cox | 2,523 | 58.0 |
| | Labour | B. Mooney | 972 | 22.4 |
| | Liberal | G. Chapman | 853 | 19.6 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,551 | 35.7 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,348 | 40.4 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 10,751 | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | |
Chigwell :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | S. Barnett | 2,347 | 69.7 |
| | Liberal | G. West | 521 | 15.5 |
| | Labour | L. Timson | 499 | 14.8 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,826 | 54.2 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 3,367 | 37.0 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 9,112 | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | |
Epping :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | R. Daniels | 2,822 | 53.8 |
| | Labour | M. Jackson | 1,440 | 27.4 |
| | Liberal | R. Eveling | 828 | 15.8 |
| | Ecology | R. Boenke | 159 | 3.0 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,382 | 26.3 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,249 | 43.4 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 12,084 | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | |
Loughton St. John's :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | F. Davis | 1,937 | 47.4 |
| | Conservative | D. Brady | 1,704 | 41.7 |
| | Liberal | W. Randall | 445 | 10.9 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 233 | 5.7 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,086 | 39.2 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 10,419 | |
| | Labour win (new seat) | Labour win (new seat) | Labour win (new seat) | Labour win (new seat) |
Loughton St. Mary's :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Residents | H. Kleyn | 1,683 | 34.8 |
| | Conservative | L. Welch | 1,573 | 32.5 |
| | Labour | L. Baddock | 1,300 | 26.9 |
| | Liberal | L. Martin | 284 | 5.9 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 110 | 2.3 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,840 | 47.0 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 10,305 | |
| | Residents win (new seat) | Residents win (new seat) | Residents win (new seat) | Residents win (new seat) |
North Weald & Nazeing :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | G. Padfield | 2,793 | 61.8 |
| | Labour | D. Grenville-Brown | 1,144 | 25.3 |
| | Liberal | T. Owen | 582 | 12.9 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,649 | 36.5 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,519 | 45.2 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 9,987 | |
| | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) |
Ongar :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | J. Martin | 3,035 | 54.7 |
| | Labour | F. Davy | 1,501 | 27.0 |
| | Liberal | D. Jacobs | 1,014 | 18.3 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,534 | 27.6 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,550 | 49.4 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 11,245 | |
| | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) |
Waltham Abbey :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | C. Hewins | 3,303 | 56.7 | +10.3 |
| | Conservative | G. Jailler | 2,520 | 43.3 | –10.3 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 783 | 13.4 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,823 | 41.8 | –2.3 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 13,939 | | |
| | Labour gain from Conservative | Labour gain from Conservative | Swing | 10.8 | |

### Harlow

Harlow District Summary :
| Party | Party | Seats | +/- | Votes | % | +/- |
| | Labour | 5 | 1 | 14,436 | 58.5 | +9.4 |
| | Conservative | 0 | 1 | 5,119 | 20.8 | –17.7 |
| | Liberal | 0 | | 4,716 | 19.1 | +7.1 |
| | Independent | 0 | | 389 | 1.6 | +1.2 |
| Total | Total | 5 | | 24,660 | 42.0 | +2.9 |
Division results
Great Parndon :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | S. Warner | 2,510 | 53.7 | +7.9 |
| | Conservative | L. Atkins | 1,161 | 24.9 | –17.3 |
| | Liberal | L. Swanton | 610 | 13.1 | +1.1 |
| | Independent | C. Johnson | 389 | 8.3 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,349 | 28.9 | +25.3 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,670 | 39.1 | +0.3 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 11,941 | | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | 12.6 | |
Harlow & Mark Hall :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | S. Anderson | 2,589 | 58.7 | +9.9 |
| | Conservative | P. Moulds | 1,370 | 28.0 | –17.2 |
| | Liberal | P. Ramsay | 927 | 19.0 | +7.2 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,219 | 24.9 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,886 | 44.5 | –2.1 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 10,983 | | |
| | Labour gain from Conservative | Labour gain from Conservative | Swing | 13.6 | |
Harlow Common :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | W. Gibson | 2,887 | 58.7 | +4.4 |
| | Liberal | E. Scammell | 1,173 | 23.8 | +15.3 |
| | Conservative | M. Tombs | 862 | 17.5 | –17.4 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,714 | 34.8 | +15.4 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,922 | 42.8 | +4.0 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 11,491 | | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | 5.5 | |
Little Parndon & Town Centre :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | E. Morris | 2,878 | 60.3 | +9.6 |
| | Liberal | J. Bastick | 1,007 | 21.1 | +6.6 |
| | Conservative | E. Atkins | 885 | 18.6 | –16.2 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,871 | 39.2 | +23.2 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,770 | 41.6 | +2.8 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 11,470 | | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | 1.5 | |
Netteswellbury :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | J. Desormeaux | 3,572 | 66.0 | +10.1 |
| | Liberal | S. Ward | 999 | 18.5 | +4.3 |
| | Conservative | P. Harries | 841 | 15.5 | –14.4 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,573 | 47.5 | +21.5 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,412 | 42.1 | +3.2 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 12,856 | | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | 2.9 | |

### Maldon

Maldon District Summary :
| Party | Party | Seats | Votes | % | +/- |
| | Conservative | 3 | 7,218 | 44.9 | –20.0 |
| | Liberal | 0 | 5,114 | 31.8 | +23.6 |
| | Labour | 0 | 3,756 | 23.3 | +0.1 |
| Total | Total | 3 | 16,088 | 45.5 | +1.1 |
Division results
Maldon :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | K. Nolan | 2,257 | 42.0 | –12.8 |
| | Liberal | P. Lacey | 1,702 | 31.6 | +13.4 |
| | Labour | C. Tait | 1,421 | 26.4 | –0.6 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 555 | 10.3 | –17.4 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,380 | 47.4 | +6.7 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 11,360 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | 13.1 | |
Southminster :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | D. Garston | 2,230 | 46.2 | N/A |
| | Labour | R. Brown | 1,610 | 33.4 | N/A |
| | Liberal | N. Baker | 986 | 20.4 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 620 | 6.9 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,826 | 43.3 | N/A |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 12,437 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | N/A | |
Tollesbury :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | E. Peel | 2,731 | 46.4 | –26.8 |
| | Liberal | J. Tilley | 2,426 | 41.2 | +34.5 |
| | Labour | M. Holland | 725 | 12.3 | –7.8 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 305 | 5.2 | –47.9 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,882 | 50.8 | +2.7 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 11,576 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | 30.7 | |

### Rochford

Rochford District Summary :
| Party | Party | Seats | +/- | Votes | % | +/- |
| | Conservative | 3 | 2 | 11,154 | 51.8 | –10.5 |
| | Labour | 1 | 1 | 6,746 | 31.4 | +12.1 |
| | Liberal | 1 | 1 | 2,686 | 12.5 | +8.0 |
| | Independent | 0 | | 928 | 4.3 | –9.6 |
| Total | Total | 5 | | 21,514 | 38.3 | –1.6 |
Division results
Rayleigh North :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | R. Boyd | 2,120 | 43.9 | +29.0 |
| | Conservative | R. Foster | 2,007 | 41.6 | –25.8 |
| | Labour | C. Barnaby | 702 | 14.5 | –3.2 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 113 | 2.3 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,829 | 45.4 | +6.9 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 10,626 | | |
| | Liberal gain from Conservative | Liberal gain from Conservative | Swing | 27.4 | |
Rayleigh South :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | T. Murray | 1,876 | 41.8 | –9.7 |
| | Labour | S. Andre | 1,118 | 24.9 | +10.7 |
| | Independent | S. Silva | 928 | 20.7 | –5.6 |
| | Liberal | D. Ward | 566 | 12.6 | +4.6 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 758 | 16.9 | –8.3 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,488 | 38.0 | –3.7 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 11,812 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | 10.2 | |
Rochford North :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | T. Fawell | 2,505 | 63.7 | +9.5 |
| | Labour | M. Weir | 1,429 | 36.3 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,076 | 27.4 | +19.1 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 3,934 | 35.1 | –0.6 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 11,812 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | N/A | |
Rochford South :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | D. Weir | 2,118 | 50.3 | +16.0 |
| | Conservative | D. Wood | 2,090 | 49.7 | –16.0 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 28 | 0.7 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,208 | 40.0 | –4.3 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 10,507 | | |
| | Labour gain from Conservative | Labour gain from Conservative | Swing | 16.0 | |
Rochford West :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | J. Jones | 2,676 | 66.0 | –6.3 |
| | Labour | A. Malcolm | 1,379 | 34.0 | +6.3 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,297 | 32.0 | –12.7 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,055 | 35.4 | –4.4 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 11,456 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | 6.3 | |

### Southend

Southend District Summary :
| Party | Party | Seats | +/- | Votes | % | +/- |
| | Conservative | 6 | 5 | 22,345 | 43.9 | –20.6 |
| | Liberal | 4 | 2 | 15,305 | 30.1 | +10.5 |
| | Labour | 1 | 1 | 11,775 | 23.1 | +7.3 |
| | Independent | 0 | | 986 | 1.9 | +1.8 |
| | Ind. Conservative | 0 | | 305 | 0.6 | N/A |
| | New Britain | 0 | | 160 | 0.3 | N/A |
| Total | Total | 11 | 2 | 50,876 | 40.5 | +2.1 |
Division results
Belfairs & Blenheim :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | N. Clarke | 2,183 | 53.3 |
| | Liberal | J. Hugill | 1,254 | 30.6 |
| | Labour | H. Hurst | 657 | 16.0 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 929 | 22.7 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,094 | 37.1 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 11,047 | |
| | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) |
Chalkwell :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | N. Harris | 2,316 | 50.6 |
| | Liberal | J. Keith | 1,854 | 40.5 |
| | Labour | T. Hughes | 404 | 8.8 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 462 | 10.1 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,574 | 41.3 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 11,080 | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | |
Eastwood :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Liberal | N. Goodman | 1,784 | 46.0 |
| | Conservative | J. Innocent | 1,656 | 42.7 |
| | Labour | A. Dunn | 436 | 11.2 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 128 | 3.3 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 3,876 | 37.7 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 10,276 | |
| | Liberal gain from Conservative | Liberal gain from Conservative | Swing | |
Leigh :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Liberal | A. Crystall | 2,719 | 49.2 |
| | Conservative | D. Roach | 2,501 | 45.2 |
| | Labour | L. Davidson | 274 | 5.0 |
| | Independent | M. Roffey | 35 | 0.6 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 218 | 3.9 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,529 | 49.5 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 11,177 | |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing | |
Milton :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | D. Wilson | 1,700 | 39.7 |
| | Labour | J. Hodgkins | 1,407 | 32.8 |
| | Independent | M. Burstin | 872 | 20.4 |
| | Ind. Conservative | A. Anderson Wright | 305 | 7.1 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 293 | 6.8 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,284 | 35.0 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 12,254 | |
| | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) |
Prittlewell :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Liberal | J. Sargent | 2,391 | 46.8 |
| | Conservative | P. Bone | 1,794 | 35.1 |
| | Labour | B. White | 924 | 18.1 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 597 | 11.7 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,109 | 41.8 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 12,233 | |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing | |
Shoebury :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | D. Cotgrove | 2,126 | 45.9 |
| | Labour | R. Copley | 1,708 | 36.9 |
| | Liberal | B. Ayling | 718 | 15.5 |
| | Independent | H. Connigale | 79 | 1.7 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 418 | 9.0 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,631 | 41.3 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 11,200 | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | |
Southchurch :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | D. Garston | 2,230 | 46.2 |
| | Labour | R. Brown | 1,610 | 33.4 |
| | Liberal | N. Baker | 986 | 20.4 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 620 | 12.8 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,826 | 41.3 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 11,689 | |
| | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) |
Thorpe :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | H. Hill | 2,545 | 60.9 |
| | Labour | L. Crabtree | 977 | 23.4 |
| | Liberal | V. Macfarlane | 500 | 12.0 |
| | New Britain | J. Webb | 160 | 3.8 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,568 | 37.5 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,182 | 37.5 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 11,215 | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | |
Victoria :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | R. Kennedy | 2,160 | 50.7 |
| | Conservative | A. Fuller | 1,171 | 27.5 |
| | Liberal | J. Palmer | 927 | 21.8 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 989 | 23.2 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,258 | 36.4 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 11,708 | |
| | Labour win (new seat) | Labour win (new seat) | Labour win (new seat) | Labour win (new seat) |
Westborough :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Liberal | M. Lubel | 2,172 | 39.4 |
| | Conservative | R. Marriott | 2,123 | 38.5 |
| | Labour | K. Leaman | 1,218 | 22.1 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 49 | 0.9 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,513 | 46.5 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 11,846 | |
| | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) |

### Tendring

Tendring District Summary :
| Party | Party | Seats | +/- | Votes | % | +/- |
| | Conservative | 4 | 4 | 16,779 | 44.1 | –24.6 |
| | Labour | 2 | 2 | 10,939 | 28.8 | +6.2 |
| | Liberal | 2 | 2 | 8,955 | 23.6 | +15.0 |
| | SDP | 0 | | 574 | 1.5 | N/A |
| | Independent | 0 | | 486 | 1.3 | N/A |
| | Ecology | 0 | | 142 | 0.4 | N/A |
| | Ind. Conservative | 0 | | 130 | 0.3 | N/A |
| Total | Total | 8 | | 32,450 | 37.3 | ±0.0 |
Division results
Brightlingsea :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Thomas Dale | 2,543 | 51.4 | +20.0 |
| | Conservative | R. Petherick | 1,564 | 31.6 | –21.2 |
| | Labour | B. Westover | 688 | 13.9 | –1.9 |
| | Independent | E. Ketley | 152 | 3.1 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 979 | 19.8 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,947 | 44.2 | +3.4 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 11,180 | | |
| | Liberal gain from Conservative | Liberal gain from Conservative | Swing | 20.6 | |
Clacton East :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | J. Story | 2,858 | 55.5 |
| | Liberal | T. Jeffrey | 1,484 | 28.8 |
| | Labour | L. Jacobs | 812 | 15.8 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,374 | 26.7 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,154 | 42.9 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 12,028 | |
| | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) |
Clacton North :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Liberal | G. Waterfield | 1,657 | 38.7 |
| | Conservative | C. Jessop | 1,328 | 31.0 |
| | Labour | N. Jacobs | 1,164 | 27.2 |
| | Ind. Conservative | T. Staigl | 130 | 3.0 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 329 | 7.7 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,279 | 41.9 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 10,605 | |
| | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) |
Clacton West :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | R. Smith | 1,965 | 41.0 |
| | Conservative | H. Harvey-Williams | 1,739 | 36.3 |
| | Liberal | R. Huse | 1,083 | 22.6 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 226 | 4.7 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,787 | 39.3 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 12,174 | |
| | Labour win (new seat) | Labour win (new seat) | Labour win (new seat) | Labour win (new seat) |
Frinton & Walton :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | D. Rex | 3,238 | 60.4 | –24.6 |
| | Liberal | R. Hamilton | 1,191 | 22.2 | +16.0 |
| | Labour | T. Rowlands | 935 | 17.4 | +8.6 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,047 | 38.2 | –38.0 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,364 | 41.8 | +6.8 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 12,839 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | 20.3 | |
Harwich :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | R. Knight | 2,414 | 45.3 | +18.1 |
| | Conservative | W. Bleakley | 2,150 | 40.4 | –32.4 |
| | SDP | G. Turner | 574 | 10.8 | N/A |
| | Independent | D. Pallett | 187 | 3.5 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 264 | 5.0 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,325 | 46.6 | +9.2 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 11,418 | | |
| | Labour gain from Conservative | Labour gain from Conservative | Swing | 25.3 | |
Tendring Rural East :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | C. Lumber | 2,059 | 59.8 |
| | Labour | I. Bayles Kay | 1,382 | 40.2 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 677 | 19.7 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 3,441 | 34.7 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 9,923 | |
| | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) |
Tendring Rural West :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | H. Varney | 1,843 | 39.1 |
| | Labour | P. Shearman | 1,579 | 33.5 |
| | Liberal | R. Taylor | 997 | 21.2 |
| | Independent | S. Rhodes | 147 | 3.1 |
| | Ecology | J. Boud | 142 | 3.0 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 264 | 5.6 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,708 | 45.4 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 10,365 | |
| | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) |

### Thurrock

Thurrock District Summary :
| Party | Party | Seats | +/- | Votes | % | +/- |
| | Labour | 8 | 4 | 22,054 | 63.5 | +22.0 |
| | Conservative | 0 | 5 | 10,633 | 30.6 | –18.2 |
| | Ind. Labour Party | 0 | | 973 | 2.8 | N/A |
| | Liberal | 0 | | 885 | 2.6 | –5.3 |
| | Ecology | 0 | | 97 | 0.3 | N/A |
| | SDP | 0 | | 63 | 0.2 | N/A |
| Total | Total | 8 | 1 | 34,705 | 35.3 | –0.3 |
Division results
Chadwell :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | G. Watts | 3,020 | 75.8 |
| | Conservative | G. Law | 964 | 24.2 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,056 | 51.6 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 3,984 | 32.8 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 12,159 | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | |
Corringham :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | B. Theobald | 2,369 | 61.2 |
| | Conservative | L. Moir | 1,504 | 38.8 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 865 | 22.3 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 3,873 | 36.6 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 10,569 | |
| | Labour gain from Conservative | Labour gain from Conservative | Swing | |
Grays Thurrock :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | T. Codley | 2,269 | 45.1 |
| | Conservative | D. Dimond | 2,090 | 41.6 |
| | Liberal | A. Senior | 604 | 12.0 |
| | SDP | S. Ahmed | 63 | 1.3 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 179 | 3.6 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,026 | 40.3 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 12,480 | |
| | Labour gain from Conservative | Labour gain from Conservative | Swing | |
Orsett & Stiffod :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | J. Pollard | 2,703 | 52.8 |
| | Conservative | L. Green | 2,417 | 47.2 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 286 | 5.6 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,120 | 44.8 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 11,416 | |
| | Labour gain from Conservative | Labour gain from Conservative | Swing | |
South Ockendon :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | G. Miles | 3,413 | 80.2 |
| | Conservative | F. Beasley | 845 | 19.8 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,568 | 60.3 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,568 | 35.8 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 11,901 | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | |
Stanford-le-Hope :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | J. Norris | 2,594 | 62.9 |
| | Conservative | W. O'Donoghue | 1,528 | 37.1 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,066 | 25.9 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,122 | 33.9 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 12,159 | |
| | Labour gain from Conservative | Labour gain from Conservative | Swing | |
Tilbury :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | P. Bolger | 3,081 | 84.8 |
| | Conservative | W. McLaughlin | 551 | 15.2 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,530 | 69.7 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 3,632 | 31.4 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 11,554 | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | |
West Thurrock & Aveley :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | C. Bidmead | 2,605 | 55.5 |
| | Ind. Labour Party | F. Boultwood | 973 | 20.7 |
| | Conservative | R. Grove | 734 | 15.7 |
| | Liberal | J. Norris | 281 | 6.0 |
| | Ecology | M. Crowson | 97 | 2.1 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,632 | 34.8 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,690 | 41.1 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 11,412 | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | |

### Uttlesford

Uttlesford District Summary :
| Party | Party | Seats | Votes | % | +/- |
| | Conservative | 4 | 10,840 | 50.1 | –23.2 |
| | Labour | 0 | 5,492 | 25.4 | +6.0 |
| | Liberal | 0 | 2,819 | 13.0 | +5.7 |
| | Independent | 0 | 2,504 | 11.6 | N/A |
| Total | Total | 4 | 21,655 | 47.5 | +2.5 |
Division results
Dunmow :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | M. Davey | 2,705 | 53.2 | N/A |
| | Liberal | P. Pope | 1,443 | 28.4 | N/A |
| | Labour | S. Cross | 937 | 18.4 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,262 | 24.8 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,085 | 49.1 | N/A |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 10,355 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | N/A | |
Saffron Walden :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | J. Moore | 2,987 | 45.0 | –30.8 |
| | Labour | P. Preece | 2,282 | 34.3 | +6.6 |
| | Liberal | P. Norman | 1,376 | 20.7 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 705 | 10.6 | –41.1 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 6,645 | 51.0 | +4.5 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 13,018 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | 18.7 | |
Stansted :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | P. Wawn | 2,517 | 50.0 | –16.2 |
| | Independent | E. Mitchell | 1,513 | 30.0 | N/A |
| | Labour | J. Graddon | 1,007 | 20.0 | +6.0 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,004 | 19.9 | –26.4 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,037 | 43.3 | –4.0 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 11,627 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | N/A | |
Thaxted :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | F. Askew | 2,631 | 53.8 | –26.5 |
| | Labour | J. Oliveira | 1,266 | 25.9 | +6.2 |
| | Independent | M. Snow | 991 | 20.3 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,365 | 27.9 | –32.6 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,888 | 46.3 | +6.3 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 10,558 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | 16.4 | |

## By-elections
### Thundersley

Thundersley: December 1981 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Alliance | Penny | 894 | 48.0 | +30.0 |
| | Conservative | Gallienne | 720 | 38.7 | –15.1 |
| | Labour | Turner | 248 | 13.3 | –14.9 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 174 | 9.3 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,862 | 20.0 | |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 9,295 | | |
| | Alliance gain from Conservative | Alliance gain from Conservative | Swing | 22.6 | |

### Basildon Gloucester Park (March 1982)

Basildon Gloucester Park: March 1982 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Batchelor | 2,563 | 59.2 | –8.4 |
| | Alliance | Butler | 1,232 | 28.5 | +11.1 |
| | Conservative | Lane | 532 | 12.3 | –2.7 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,331 | 30.7 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,327 | 34.6 | |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 12,493 | | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | 9.8 | |

### Dunmow

Dunmow: July 1982 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Oakley | 2,224 | 55.9 | +2.7 |
| | Alliance | Taylor | 1,409 | 35.4 | +7.0 |
| | Labour | McCarthy | 347 | 8.7 | –9.7 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 815 | 20.5 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 3,980 | 37.6 | |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 10,582 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | 2.2 | |

### Basildon Gloucester Park (October 1982)

Basildon Gloucester Park: October 1982 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Primmer | 1,935 | 58.3 | –9.3 |
| | Alliance | Bassett | 827 | 24.9 | +7.5 |
| | Conservative | Lane | 556 | 16.8 | +1.8 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,108 | 33.4 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 3,318 | 26.6 | |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 12,493 | | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | 8.4 | |

### Thorpe

Thorpe: October 1983 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Rainger | 1,405 | 64.4 | +3.5 |
| | Alliance | Baker | 473 | 21.7 | +9.7 |
| | Labour | Hurley | 302 | 13.9 | –9.5 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 932 | 42.7 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,180 | 18.9 | |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 11,512 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | 3.1 | |

### Gray Thurrock

Grays Thurrock: June 1984 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Cohen | 1,471 | 48.9 | +3.8 |
| | Conservative | Dimond | 1,288 | 42.8 | +1.2 |
| | Alliance | Benson | 250 | 8.3 | –5.0 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 183 | 6.1 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 3,009 | 23.3 | |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 12,919 | | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | 1.3 | |

### Springfield

Springfield: July 1984 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Gore | 2,504 | 48.5 | +2.2 |
| | Alliance | Davey | 2,184 | 42.3 | +3.7 |
| | Labour | Hussey | 474 | 9.2 | –5.9 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 320 | 6.2 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,162 | 35.1 | |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 14,723 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | 0.8 | |

### Netteswellbury

Netteswellbury: September 1984 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Guy | 1,820 | 77.1 | +11.1 |
| | Conservative | Smart | 303 | 12.8 | –2.7 |
| | Alliance | Scammell | 238 | 10.1 | –8.4 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,517 | 64.3 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,361 | 18.4 | |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 12,809 | | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | 6.9 | |