Reform UK has rocked the political establishment by winning sweeping victories across the country - and is celebrating with a post-election party in Kent.

Nigel Farage has dashed back to the county this evening after a day of shock results, which he said was “proof the old two-party system is now dead”.

Speaking to the awaiting media, Mr Farage was asked what Reform had just achieved in what was supposed to be a Tory stronghold.

"No, it isn't a Tory stronghold - it was a Tory stronghold and you're going to have to get used to that,” he said.

"This is the most seismic change in a day in the politics of this county and indeed this country that we've ever, ever seen.

"You get general elections that swing one way or the other but this is truly extraordinary.

"I always thought we'd do well in Kent but this result is beyond my wildest dreams."

He said one of the reasons people had voted Reform was they felt let down by the main two parties due to "lack of delivery" and "promises broken".

"What we have got to do is keep our promises and deliver here in Kent and elsewhere around the country," he added.

"And that means getting in the auditors, looking at where money is being spent, asking questions about long-term contracts that have been signed and making sure the county council focusses on its priorities rather than the DEI (Diversity, equity and inclusion) agenda and climate change."

On Reform's main priorities, he said: "Well, I would suggest if you think you can work from home under us, you might find yourself having quite a short, sharp conversation.

"And if you're working in DEI or climate change for the county, then perhaps alternative employment is where you should be looking.

"We want to slim down the size of local government to get it back to the basics and to make sure that council taxpayers start to get better value for money.

Asked if job cuts are on the way, he replied: "Well, there may well be job cuts in areas like DEI.

“Hey, we haven't looked at the books yet, I can't tell you. But we do need slimmed down local government and we need increased productivity.

"Public sector productivity has collapsed since the pandemic."

Kent County Council is among the local authorities now under Reform control, after it ousted the Conservatives, winning 57 seats to the Tories’ five.

He was due to be joined at the Hop Farm in Paddock Wood by new Runcorn MP Sarah Pochin, party chairman Zia Yusuf and Reform’s mayor of Greater Lincolnshire Dame Andrea Jenkyns.

It’s been a busy day for Mr Farage, who was in Runcorn this morning to congratulate by-election victor Mrs Pochin after the former Tory councillor became the party’s fifth MP.

He was then off to Durham where his party went from no seats at all to overall control of the county council, which had been run by a coalition of Lib Dems, Tories and independents.

Next stop was Staffordshire, the first county council to be won by Reform today.

Mr Farage received a hero’s welcome from his party faithful at the Hop Farm when he arrived via helicopter just after 8.30pm.

Successful candidates husband and wife Cllrs Richard and Chris Palmer are at the bash.

Richard said: “We are elated. I think the public who have voted for Reform were fed up with politics.

“They want change. It’s my first time at KCC, so I’m pleased. We will try to achieve what people have voted for.”

Also among the party-goers is Claire Fennell, 52, a volunteer for Reform from Dartford.

She said: “I have two boys at home and I want them to have a good future which Reform will give them.”

Mrs Fennell, who delivered 2,000 leaflets for the party in the run up to yesterday’s poll, said immigration was her chief concern.

Nowhere was Reform’s surge in popularity more obvious than in Kent, where former KCC Tory leader Roger Gough described the situation for his party as “apocalyptic”.

KCC had been under Conservative control almost since its creation in 1974, with a brief gap in the 1990s when no party had an overall majority.

The Tories have been almost wiped out in one fell swoop, among them big names such as Mr Gough and Sir Paul Carter.

Speaking at the Sevenoaks count earlier, Mr Gough said: “Obviously I am deeply disappointed.

“It is extremely sad to lose my division which I have represented for 20 years and sought to do my best for these communities.

“It appears to be part of a much bigger picture we are seeing across the county and indeed the country.”

By contrast, jubilant Reform candidates said they could not wait to get started.

Diane Morton, the first Reform UK candidate to win a seat on KCC today, says "safeguarding the vulnerable and getting a better deal for Gravesham Rural residents" is her top priority.

• Analysis: What does Reform UK's victory at Kent County Council election mean for the county and its general election hopes? Click here.

She added: "Reform is here. Tonight we celebrate and soon we will get to work.

"It won’t be easy but we will do our best and put residents first."

Cllr Palmer, who won the Swale West seat on KCC after controversially defecting from the Swale Independents, said: “The common theme on the doorstep is people want change.

“They're fed up with people promising and never delivering.”

He added that it would be a “difficult path” because “KCC is skint, the nation's skint”.

“We seem to send all our money to other places and don't have anything left for ourselves. Hopefully, that will change with Reform,” he added.

Maidstone South East member for Reform Linden Kemkaran said: “The first thing we’re going to do is open the books.

“We’re going to see where the money is going and look at contracts awarded to people fixing potholes, providing services to schools and social care and look at those and whether they offer value for money.

“If they don’t we’re going to change them.

“A lot of my Reform colleagues are business owners, have owned businesses and run businesses and understand how things work.

“We’re so grateful for the people of Kent putting their trust in us.”