The British National Party (BNP) has 18 local councillors in England after its candidate won a seat on Thurrock Council in Essex.
Buildings maintenance manager Mr Nicholas Geri (47) grandson of an Italian immigrant, took the Grays Riverside ward last night in a by-election. He said he was "pleasantly surprised" by the result.
He said: "We bring common sense. Things have gone the wrong way and the way that people don't want them to go, that is why they voted for us."
Labour has an overall majority of 21 on the council.
He beat his Conservative rival by 170 votes and the Labour candidate by 178 votes in an election which saw a 22 per cent turnout.
The ward was previously represented by a Labour councillor who died earlier this year triggering a by-election.
Labour and the Liberal Democrats said the BNP's victory should act as a wake-up call.