The emergence of the United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) as the fourth party in local government was the most notable outcome from this year's elections – which saw the Conservatives lose nine authorities to no overall control and a further two to Labour.

UKIP's success in transforming its national share of the vote into seats helped tip the balance of power in many authorities – most notably Cambridgeshire where they secured 12 seats, East Sussex where they took 7, Lincolnshire where they secured 16 seats and Norfolk where they picked up 15.