MP John Hayes was out in his constituency visiting flower festivals hours after seeing two of his closest colleagues lose their Conservative seats.
Mr Hayes said he was deeply saddened Eddy Poll in Spalding East and Moulton and Howard Johnson in Spalding West would no longer represent his constituents at the county council.
He said: “I am losing two good colleagues and friends here – it was not the best of nights.”
However, he said overall, across South Holland and the Deepings, the picture for the Tories, although now peppered with purple after the UKIP success, was not as bad as in other parts of the country.
In spite of losing two seats, the Tories still held eight of the 15 in South Lincolnshire. Mr Hayes said: “We have to learn lessons from this and listen to what people are wanting.
“Nationally it is clear people are worried about immigration and the vote shows this. But the election must also be disappointing for Labour because mid-term you would think we ought to be losing votes to them.
“Democracy is never predictable but I have never been complacent. That is why I am now going out visiting the flower festivals and seeing my constituents.
“My work as an MP has always been about fighting for the people I serve – and it will continue to be.”