Chris Perera - County Councillor for Mersea and Pyefleet, Essex County Council | Reform Watch

Chris Perera is the Essex County Councillor for the Mersea and Pyefleet division, which includes Tiptree. He was elected on 7 May 2026, when Reform UK took control of Essex County Council with 53 seats. He also stood for the equivalent Colchester Council seat at the same elections, losing to the Conservative candidate Robert Davidson by 105 votes. In September 2026 Reform UK suspended him. A party spokesman said that, following an investigation, Perera was suspended after it was found that he had damaged the party's interests. Essex County Council updated its website on 15 September to list him as an independent, and has confirmed that he remains a county councillor. The Colchester Council leader, Paul Dundas, said local representatives had been concerned for some time, stating that Perera had not answered emails or correspondence from the borough council, the parish council or residents since June, and had attended only one local meeting since his election. Dundas said residents deserved an explanation, and offered support if ill health were a factor. Perera was contacted for comment by the Gazette and no response was reported. It is not known whether he intends to rejoin Reform UK.