UKIP Essex county councillor Gordon Helm dies suddenly

Gordon Helm, UKIP county councillor for Bocking, who died on December 24 2014 Archant

Tribute has been paid to an Essex county councillor and general election candidate who died on Christmas Eve.

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Gordon Helm, who represented the Bocking division for UKIP, suffered a stroke and died shortly afterwards.

He was elected to County Hall in May 2013, and had been chosen in August by UKIP to stand in the Braintree constituency in next year’s general election.

Jamie Huntman, UKIP group leader at Essex County Council, said: “Gordon worked tirelessly for his residents and UKIP. Earlier this year he received an award at the UKIP conference in recognition of this.

“He set up the branch in Braintree and in his spare time, when he had any, wrote poetry.

“I’m sure I can speak on behalf of all his fellow UKIP county councillors when I say he will be fondly remembered and greatly missed.”

Tim Aker, Eastern region MEP for UKIP, added: “Gordon was a good man who cared about his community and his country.

“He will be sorely missed.”

Graham Butland, a Conservative county councillor and leader of Braintree District Council, said: “It is a huge trgaedy and we are thinking of his family at this time. Our condolences to them.”