Arun 2023

Local elections held 4 May 2023.

23 ward races

54 seats

49 elected below the proportional quota

90.7% of seats below quota

How to read this page

Each race below shows the share of valid ballots the marginal elected candidate actually won, and compares it to the proportional quota: the share that would be needed to be guaranteed that seat under any proportional voting method (1 seats + 1). For a 1-seat ward the quota is 50%; for 2 seats, 33.3%; for 3 seats, 25%.

Where the actual winning share fell below the quota, we show the gap as points under par — the editorial indictment. Above-par results are just majority mandates and pass without comment. The voting method is the subject of every observation here. Named candidates appear as the public election record requires; the cause being audited is the voting method, not the individuals. See the methodology page for derivations.

If votes were counted by party

Across the 23 wards in this cycle, parties received the vote totals below. The proportional column shows what each party would have won if the 54 seats had been allocated to those vote totals in proportion (how, with caveats). The Δ column is the actual seat count minus the proportional seat count — positive numbers are parties First-Past-the-Post over-represented in this council, negative are parties it under-represented.

Party	Votes	Vote %	Seats won	% of seats	Proportional seats	Proportional %	Δ
Conservative and Unionist Party	34,319	40.6%	20	37.0%	23	42.6%	-3
Liberal Democrats	17,845	21.1%	14	25.9%	11	20.4%	+3
Labour Party	12,604	14.9%	8	14.8%	8	14.8%	0
Green Party	12,270	14.5%	6	11.1%	8	14.8%	-2
Independent	7,035	8.3%	6	11.1%	4	7.4%	+2
Heritage Party	313	0.4%	0	0.0%	0	0.0%	0
Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition	56	0.1%	0	0.0%	0	0.0%	0
Total	84,442	100.0%	54	100.0%	54	100.0%	0

Vote share vs seats won

The top bar is each party's share of votes cast in this council. Below, one square per seat, coloured by the party that won it — first the actual First-Past-the-Post result, then what a proportional method would have produced from the same vote totals. Divergence between the bar and the actual grid is the indictment of the method.

Vote share

Actual seats

Proportional seats

Wards in this council

Sorted with the largest gap below the quota first. Click any ward to jump to its full result.

Pevensey · 2 seats · won at 16.0% · +17.3 pts below quota
Aldwick West · 2 seats · won at 20.2% · +13.2 pts below quota
River · 3 seats · won at 12.6% · +12.4 pts below quota
Felpham West · 2 seats · won at 21.7% · +11.7 pts below quota
Aldwick East · 2 seats · won at 21.8% · +11.5 pts below quota
Felpham East · 2 seats · won at 21.9% · +11.5 pts below quota
Orchard · 2 seats · won at 22.1% · +11.2 pts below quota
Courtwick with Toddington · 3 seats · won at 14.7% · +10.3 pts below quota
Rustington West · 3 seats · won at 15.7% · +9.3 pts below quota
Angmering & Findon · 3 seats · won at 16.6% · +8.4 pts below quota
Brookfield · 2 seats · won at 25.0% · +8.3 pts below quota
Arundel & Walberton · 3 seats · won at 16.9% · +8.1 pts below quota
Barnham · 3 seats · won at 16.9% · +8.1 pts below quota
Middleton-on-Sea · 2 seats · won at 25.3% · +8.0 pts below quota
Hotham · 2 seats · won at 25.4% · +7.9 pts below quota
Beach · 2 seats · won at 25.5% · +7.9 pts below quota
Marine · 2 seats · won at 26.2% · +7.1 pts below quota
Bersted · 3 seats · won at 19.8% · +5.2 pts below quota
East Preston · 3 seats · won at 19.8% · +5.2 pts below quota
Rustington East · 2 seats · won at 31.3% · +2.0 pts below quota
Pagham · 2 seats · won at 31.5% · +1.9 pts below quota
Ferring · 2 seats · won at 32.1% · +1.3 pts below quota
Yapton · 2 seats · won at 33.2% · +0.2 pts below quota

Race results

Pevensey · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 16.0% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +17.3 pts below quota Valid ballots 1,728

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Nash, R.	Labour Party	292	16.9%	Elected
2	McDougall, S.	Labour Party	277	16.0%	Elected
3	Wells, P.	Liberal Democrats	247	14.3%
4	Dillon, P.	Conservative and Unionist Party	235	13.6%
5	Barrett, J.	Liberal Democrats	207	12.0%
6	Daniells, S.	Independent	163	9.4%
7	Cunard, A.	Independent	159	9.2%
8	Erskine, J.	Green Party	76	4.4%
9	Wyatt, P.	Green Party	72	4.2%

Electorate 4,077 · Ballots cast 1,728 · Back to ward index

Aldwick West · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 20.2% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +13.2 pts below quota Valid ballots 3,153

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Purser, G.	Conservative and Unionist Party	657	20.8%	Elected
2	Needs, C.	Liberal Democrats	636	20.2%	Elected
3	Thas, D.	Conservative and Unionist Party	601	19.1%
4	Ralph, P.	Liberal Democrats	582	18.5%
5	Armstrong, L.	Labour Party	274	8.7%
6	Coates, T.	Green Party	255	8.1%
7	Kurten, D.	Heritage Party	148	4.7%

Electorate 5,127 · Ballots cast 3,153 · Back to ward index

River · 3-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 12.6% Proportional quota 25.0% Difference +12.4 pts below quota Valid ballots 5,281

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	O'Neill, G.	Labour Party	674	12.8%	Elected
2	Wiltshire, C.	Labour Party	665	12.6%	Elected
3	Butcher, A.	Labour Party	665	12.6%	Elected
4	Molloy, M.	Conservative and Unionist Party	559	10.6%
5	Smith, N.	Conservative and Unionist Party	505	9.6%
6	Hart, G.	Conservative and Unionist Party	504	9.5%
7	Buckland, I.	Liberal Democrats	499	9.4%
8	Clark, A.	Liberal Democrats	425	8.0%
9	Croft, K.	Liberal Democrats	350	6.6%
10	Cheyne, L.	Green Party	331	6.3%
11	Gates, G.	Heritage Party	104	2.0%

Electorate 7,126 · Ballots cast 5,281 · Back to ward index

Felpham West · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 21.7% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +11.7 pts below quota Valid ballots 2,739

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Madeley, G.	Conservative and Unionist Party	651	23.8%	Elected
2	Stainton, E.	Conservative and Unionist Party	593	21.7%	Elected
3	Harvey, M.	Independent	486	17.7%
4	Lancaster, L.	Green Party	382	13.9%
5	Kissell, R.	Liberal Democrats	326	11.9%
6	Mills, R.	Labour Party	301	11.0%

Electorate 4,884 · Ballots cast 2,739 · Back to ward index

Aldwick East · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 21.8% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +11.5 pts below quota Valid ballots 3,338

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Patel, A.	Conservative and Unionist Party	768	23.0%	Elected
2	Bence, T.	Conservative and Unionist Party	729	21.8%	Elected
3	Huntley, F.	Independent	643	19.3%
4	Manion, I.	Independent	539	16.1%
5	Bell, A.	Green Party	332	9.9%
6	Palmer, R.	Labour Party	327	9.8%

Electorate 4,534 · Ballots cast 3,338 · Back to ward index

Felpham East · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 21.9% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +11.5 pts below quota Valid ballots 2,422

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Harty, T.	Independent	575	23.7%	Elected
2	English, J.	Conservative and Unionist Party	530	21.9%	Elected
3	English, P.	Conservative and Unionist Party	527	21.8%
4	Parker, R.	Independent	506	20.9%
5	Varndall, S.	Labour Party	284	11.7%

Electorate 4,741 · Ballots cast 2,422 · Back to ward index

Orchard · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 22.1% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +11.2 pts below quota Valid ballots 1,695

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Oppler, F.	Liberal Democrats	477	28.1%	Elected
2	Batley, K.	Liberal Democrats	375	22.1%	Elected
3	Woodall, P.	Independent	236	13.9%
4	Cosgrove, J.	Labour Party	231	13.6%
5	Kelly, B.	Conservative and Unionist Party	207	12.2%
6	Arciszewska, K.	Independent	169	10.0%

Electorate 4,727 · Ballots cast 1,695 · Back to ward index

Courtwick with Toddington · 3-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 14.7% Proportional quota 25.0% Difference +10.3 pts below quota Valid ballots 4,331

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Northeast, M.	Labour Party	766	17.7%	Elected
2	May, M.	Labour Party	695	16.0%	Elected
3	Tandy, F.	Labour Party	637	14.7%	Elected
4	Woodward, T.	Conservative and Unionist Party	582	13.4%
5	Rhodes, V.	Conservative and Unionist Party	530	12.2%
6	Vincent, R.	Conservative and Unionist Party	523	12.1%
7	O'Reilly, D.	Green Party	356	8.2%
8	Krajnc, S.	Liberal Democrats	242	5.6%

Electorate 7,965 · Ballots cast 4,331 · Back to ward index

Rustington West · 3-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 15.7% Proportional quota 25.0% Difference +9.3 pts below quota Valid ballots 6,496

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Lloyd, L.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,101	16.9%	Elected
2	Partridge, P.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,033	15.9%	Elected
3	Edwards, L.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,018	15.7%	Elected
4	Gregory, P.	Liberal Democrats	934	14.4%
5	Bennett, J.	Liberal Democrats	811	12.5%
6	Jays, N.	Liberal Democrats	757	11.7%
7	Faithfull, F.	Green Party	452	7.0%
8	Millam, B.	Labour Party	390	6.0%

Electorate 6,888 · Ballots cast 6,496 · Back to ward index

Angmering & Findon · 3-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 16.6% Proportional quota 25.0% Difference +8.4 pts below quota Valid ballots 6,660

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Bicknell, P.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,349	20.3%	Elected
2	Cooper, A.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,147	17.2%	Elected
3	Worne, A.	Liberal Democrats	1,103	16.6%	Elected
4	Justice, H.	Green Party	1,036	15.6%
5	Edmundston, K.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,035	15.5%
6	Summers, P.	Labour Party	990	14.9%

Electorate 8,441 · Ballots cast 6,660 · Back to ward index

Brookfield · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 25.0% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +8.3 pts below quota Valid ballots 2,343

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Walsh, J.	Liberal Democrats	618	26.4%	Elected
2	Long, J.	Liberal Democrats	586	25.0%	Elected
3	Blackwood, M.	Conservative and Unionist Party	409	17.5%
4	Chace, D.	Conservative and Unionist Party	404	17.2%
5	Campbell, N.	Labour Party	265	11.3%
6	Neal, J.	Heritage Party	61	2.6%

Electorate 4,792 · Ballots cast 2,343 · Back to ward index

Arundel & Walberton · 3-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 16.9% Proportional quota 25.0% Difference +8.1 pts below quota Valid ballots 7,099

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	McAuliffe, S.	Green Party	1,471	20.7%	Elected
2	Birch, C.	Green Party	1,363	19.2%	Elected
3	Penycate, M.	Green Party	1,198	16.9%	Elected
4	Markwell, G.	Conservative and Unionist Party	833	11.7%
5	Reynolds, S.	Conservative and Unionist Party	787	11.1%
6	Trabucco, M.	Conservative and Unionist Party	733	10.3%
7	Ward, M.	Labour Party	714	10.1%

Electorate 6,991 · Ballots cast 7,099 · Back to ward index

Barnham · 3-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 16.9% Proportional quota 25.0% Difference +8.1 pts below quota Valid ballots 6,088

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Ayling, P.	Green Party	1,316	21.6%	Elected
2	Wallsgrove, S.	Green Party	1,252	20.6%	Elected
3	Lawrence, A.	Green Party	1,030	16.9%	Elected
4	Haymes, S.	Conservative and Unionist Party	712	11.7%
5	Bence, S.	Conservative and Unionist Party	677	11.1%
6	Jones, G.	Conservative and Unionist Party	620	10.2%
7	Ashton, W.	Labour Party	425	7.0%
8	Welch, S.	Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition	56	0.9%

Electorate 7,599 · Ballots cast 6,088 · Back to ward index

Middleton-on-Sea · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 25.3% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +8.0 pts below quota Valid ballots 2,526

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Pendleton, J.	Conservative and Unionist Party	729	28.9%	Elected
2	Haywood, S.	Independent	639	25.3%	Elected
3	Darling, D.	Conservative and Unionist Party	556	22.0%
4	Warren, L.	Green Party	336	13.3%
5	Daws, J.	Labour Party	266	10.5%

Electorate 4,192 · Ballots cast 2,526 · Back to ward index

Hotham · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 25.4% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +7.9 pts below quota Valid ballots 1,532

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Warr, J.	Liberal Democrats	402	26.2%	Elected
2	Goodheart, S.	Independent	389	25.4%	Elected
3	Waterhouse, B.	Liberal Democrats	304	19.8%
4	Britton, D.	Conservative and Unionist Party	229	14.9%
5	Meagher, D.	Labour Party	208	13.6%

Electorate 4,290 · Ballots cast 1,532 · Back to ward index

Beach · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 25.5% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +7.9 pts below quota Valid ballots 2,737

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Blanchard-Cooper, B.	Liberal Democrats	782	28.6%	Elected
2	Woodman, B.	Liberal Democrats	697	25.5%	Elected
3	Warren, M.	Conservative and Unionist Party	433	15.8%
4	Hayler, T.	Conservative and Unionist Party	392	14.3%
5	McConnell, S.	Labour Party	230	8.4%
6	Murphy, T.	Labour Party	203	7.4%

Electorate 3,856 · Ballots cast 2,737 · Back to ward index

Marine · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 26.2% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +7.1 pts below quota Valid ballots 1,786

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Brooks, J.	Independent	669	37.5%	Elected
2	Stanley, M.	Liberal Democrats	468	26.2%	Elected
3	Robbins, H.	Labour Party	354	19.8%
4	Sanders, P.	Conservative and Unionist Party	295	16.5%

Electorate 4,815 · Ballots cast 1,786 · Back to ward index

Bersted · 3-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 19.8% Proportional quota 25.0% Difference +5.2 pts below quota Valid ballots 4,182

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Greenway, K.	Conservative and Unionist Party	852	20.4%	Elected
2	Yeates, G.	Liberal Democrats	841	20.1%	Elected
3	Lury, M.	Liberal Democrats	826	19.8%	Elected
4	Paige, D.	Conservative and Unionist Party	610	14.6%
5	Smith, N.	Labour Party	540	12.9%
6	Outen, R.	Conservative and Unionist Party	513	12.3%

Electorate 7,547 · Ballots cast 4,182 · Back to ward index

East Preston · 3-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 19.8% Proportional quota 25.0% Difference +5.2 pts below quota Valid ballots 6,482

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Bower, P.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,329	20.5%	Elected
2	Kelly, P.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,294	20.0%	Elected
3	Bower, R.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,281	19.8%	Elected
4	Richards, J.	Liberal Democrats	768	11.8%
5	Hammond, L.	Green Party	740	11.4%
6	Haslam, A.	Labour Party	560	8.6%
7	Tilbrook, D.	Liberal Democrats	510	7.9%

Electorate 7,047 · Ballots cast 6,482 · Back to ward index

Rustington East · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 31.3% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +2.0 pts below quota Valid ballots 3,110

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Cooper, A.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,086	34.9%	Elected
2	Gunner, S.	Conservative and Unionist Party	973	31.3%	Elected
3	Parvin-Blackstone, A.	Liberal Democrats	557	17.9%
4	Lee, S.	Labour Party	494	15.9%

Electorate 4,473 · Ballots cast 3,110 · Back to ward index

Pagham · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 31.5% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +1.9 pts below quota Valid ballots 2,622

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Huntley, D.	Independent	1,037	39.5%	Elected
2	Hamilton, J.	Independent	825	31.5%	Elected
3	Triggs, H.	Conservative and Unionist Party	462	17.6%
4	Nash, P.	Labour Party	298	11.4%

Electorate 5,211 · Ballots cast 2,622 · Back to ward index

Ferring · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 32.1% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +1.3 pts below quota Valid ballots 2,958

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Elkins, R.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,018	34.4%	Elected
2	Turner, M.	Conservative and Unionist Party	949	32.1%	Elected
3	Macedo, D.	Labour Party	403	13.6%
4	Roberts, B.	Liberal Democrats	316	10.7%
5	Sonnemann, K.	Green Party	272	9.2%

Electorate 4,184 · Ballots cast 2,958 · Back to ward index

Yapton · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 33.2% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +0.2 pts below quota Valid ballots 3,134

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Worne, A.	Liberal Democrats	1,160	37.0%	Elected
2	Jones, H.	Liberal Democrats	1,039	33.2%	Elected
3	Byron, O.	Conservative and Unionist Party	395	12.6%
4	Dendle, P.	Conservative and Unionist Party	364	11.6%
5	Richards, D.	Labour Party	176	5.6%

Electorate 5,432 · Ballots cast 3,134 · Back to ward index