← Bolton (all cycles) · 6 May 2021 cohort

Bolton 2021

Local elections held 6 May 2021.

20 ward races

21 seats

12 elected below the proportional quota

57.1% 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 20 wards in this cycle, parties received the vote totals below. The proportional column shows what each party would have won if the 21 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	30,255	38.8%	10	47.6%	9	42.9%	+1
Labour Party	27,520	35.3%	7	33.3%	8	38.1%	-1
Liberal Democrats	7,562	9.7%	1	4.8%	2	9.5%	-1
FKF	4,203	5.4%	2	9.5%	1	4.8%	+1
Green Party	3,168	4.1%	0	0.0%	1	4.8%	-1
H&B F IND	2,380	3.0%	1	4.8%	0	0.0%	+1
BFC	1,698	2.2%	0	0.0%	0	0.0%	0
UK Independence Party (UKIP)	585	0.7%	0	0.0%	0	0.0%	0
WEST F IND	395	0.5%	0	0.0%	0	0.0%	0
AFW	181	0.2%	0	0.0%	0	0.0%	0
Independent	79	0.1%	0	0.0%	0	0.0%	0
FBM	16	0.0%	0	0.0%	0	0.0%	0
Total	78,042	100.0%	21	100.0%	21	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.

Horwich & Blackrod · 1 seat · won at 33.0% · +17.0 pts below quota
Horwich North East · 1 seat · won at 35.1% · +14.9 pts below quota
Westhoughton South · 1 seat · won at 36.0% · +14.0 pts below quota
Astley Bridge · 2 seats · won at 23.9% · +9.5 pts below quota
Little Lever & Darcy Lever · 1 seat · won at 42.6% · +7.4 pts below quota
Smithills · 1 seat · won at 44.2% · +5.8 pts below quota
Hulton · 1 seat · won at 44.9% · +5.1 pts below quota
Tonge With The Haulgh · 1 seat · won at 44.9% · +5.1 pts below quota
Harper Green · 1 seat · won at 45.0% · +5.0 pts below quota
Westhoughton North & Chew Moor · 1 seat · won at 46.6% · +3.4 pts below quota
Breightmet · 1 seat · won at 49.2% · +0.8 pts below quota
Farnworth · 1 seat · won at 49.6% · +0.4 pts below quota
Kearsley · 1 seat · won at 52.3% · above quota
Crompton · 1 seat · won at 54.6% · above quota
Heaton & Lostock · 1 seat · won at 57.0% · above quota
Great Lever · 1 seat · won at 58.0% · above quota
Bromley Cross · 1 seat · won at 61.7% · above quota
Rumworth · 1 seat · won at 63.6% · above quota
Bradshaw · 1 seat · won at 68.8% · above quota
Halliwell · 1 seat · won at 73.4% · above quota

Race results

Horwich & Blackrod · single-seat

Marginal winner 33.0% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference +17.0 pts below quota Valid ballots 3,950

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Grant D.J.	H&B F IND	1,303	33.0%	Elected
2	Stanley F.D.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,288	32.6%
3	Pritchard-Jones J.	Labour Party	1,130	28.6%
4	Bovill A.P.D.	Green Party	149	3.8%
5	Walsh K.	Liberal Democrats	80	2.0%

Electorate 10,901 · Ballots cast 3,950 · EC ward code E05000660 · Back to ward index

Horwich North East · single-seat

Marginal winner 35.1% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference +14.9 pts below quota Valid ballots 4,018

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Silvester R.	Labour Party	1,412	35.1%	Elected
2	Bamforth R.	H&B F IND	1,077	26.8%
3	Stone G.	Liberal Democrats	794	19.8%
4	Wright H.	Conservative and Unionist Party	618	15.4%
5	Cocker K.M.	Green Party	117	2.9%

Electorate 10,012 · Ballots cast 4,018 · EC ward code E05000661 · Back to ward index

Westhoughton South · single-seat

Marginal winner 36.0% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference +14.0 pts below quota Valid ballots 3,503

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Hill C.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,262	36.0%	Elected
2	Maher N.	Liberal Democrats	955	27.3%
3	Jarvis M.	Labour Party	871	24.9%
4	Brennan R.M.	WEST F IND	194	5.5%
5	Rowley V.A.	AFW	129	3.7%
6	McManus E.	Green Party	92	2.6%

Electorate 10,005 · Ballots cast 3,503 · EC ward code E05000669 · Back to ward index

Astley Bridge · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 23.9% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +9.5 pts below quota Valid ballots 7,314

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Fairclough H.C.	Conservative and Unionist Party	2,569	35.1%	Elected
2	Rimmer S.J.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,746	23.9%	Elected
3	Patel S.	Labour Party	1,025	14.0%
4	Sutton S.	Labour Party	897	12.3%
5	Mulligan K.	Liberal Democrats	386	5.3%
6	Haslam J.P.	Liberal Democrats	380	5.2%
7	Eccleshare P.	BFC	311	4.3%

Electorate 10,476 · Ballots cast 7,314 · EC ward code E05000650 · Back to ward index

Little Lever & Darcy Lever · single-seat

Marginal winner 42.6% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference +7.4 pts below quota Valid ballots 3,605

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Taylor-Burke A.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,536	42.6%	Elected
2	Entwistle J.A.	Labour Party	1,095	30.4%
3	Gibbon R.	UK Independence Party (UKIP)	585	16.2%
4	Varnam B.	BFC	179	5.0%
5	Hewitt G.R.	Green Party	148	4.1%
6	Turner-Preece S.J.	Liberal Democrats	46	1.3%
7	Collins S.	FBM	16	0.4%

Electorate 9,766 · Ballots cast 3,605 · EC ward code E05000664 · Back to ward index

Smithills · single-seat

Marginal winner 44.2% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference +5.8 pts below quota Valid ballots 3,908

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Hayes R.G.C.	Liberal Democrats	1,728	44.2%	Elected
2	Sesay S.	Labour Party	986	25.2%
3	Johnson J.	Conservative and Unionist Party	883	22.6%
4	Bentham D.	BFC	177	4.5%
5	Ebbitt D.F.	Green Party	134	3.4%

Electorate 10,508 · Ballots cast 3,908 · EC ward code E05000666 · Back to ward index

Hulton · single-seat

Marginal winner 44.9% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference +5.1 pts below quota Valid ballots 3,774

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Hewitt T.J.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,695	44.9%	Elected
2	Shaikh S.	Labour Party	1,075	28.5%
3	Hayes P.	Green Party	860	22.8%
4	Armstrong J.	BFC	77	2.0%
5	Allen M.	Liberal Democrats	67	1.8%

Electorate 10,202 · Ballots cast 3,774 · EC ward code E05000662 · Back to ward index

Tonge With The Haulgh · single-seat

Marginal winner 44.9% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference +5.1 pts below quota Valid ballots 2,830

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Donaghy M.	Labour Party	1,272	44.9%	Elected
2	McArdle W.A.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,120	39.6%
3	Jones T.	BFC	357	12.6%
4	Forrest B.	Liberal Democrats	81	2.9%

Electorate 9,248 · Ballots cast 2,830 · EC ward code E05000667 · Back to ward index

Harper Green · single-seat

Marginal winner 45.0% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference +5.0 pts below quota Valid ballots 3,489

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Mistry C.G.	Labour Party	1,569	45.0%	Elected
2	Khan F.	Conservative and Unionist Party	922	26.4%
3	Flitcroft P.J.	FKF	777	22.3%
4	Shepherd W.A.	Green Party	128	3.7%
5	Gannon P.	BFC	54	1.5%
6	Hayes J.	Liberal Democrats	39	1.1%

Electorate 10,247 · Ballots cast 3,489 · EC ward code E05000658 · Back to ward index

Westhoughton North & Chew Moor · single-seat

Marginal winner 46.6% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference +3.4 pts below quota Valid ballots 4,156

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Finney A.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,937	46.6%	Elected
2	Price A.	Liberal Democrats	1,207	29.0%
3	Jiva Z.	Labour Party	652	15.7%
4	Speight J.	WEST F IND	201	4.8%
5	Stewart A.	Green Party	107	2.6%
6	Bates R.A.	AFW	52	1.3%

Electorate 11,034 · Ballots cast 4,156 · EC ward code E05000668 · Back to ward index

Breightmet · single-seat

Marginal winner 49.2% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference +0.8 pts below quota Valid ballots 3,206

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Hartigan S.M.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,576	49.2%	Elected
2	Gallagher B.	Labour Party	1,222	38.1%
3	Holt S.	BFC	262	8.2%
4	Hewitt C.	Green Party	86	2.7%
5	Wilkes J.	Liberal Democrats	60	1.9%

Electorate 9,728 · Ballots cast 3,206 · EC ward code E05000652 · Back to ward index

Farnworth · single-seat

Marginal winner 49.6% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference +0.4 pts below quota Valid ballots 3,322

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Sanders P.D.	FKF	1,647	49.6%	Elected
2	Ayub N.	Labour Party	1,335	40.2%
3	Dean B.	Conservative and Unionist Party	279	8.4%
4	Macpherson C.J.	Liberal Democrats	61	1.8%

Electorate 10,974 · Ballots cast 3,322 · EC ward code E05000655 · Back to ward index

Kearsley · single-seat

Marginal winner 52.3% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −2.3 pts Valid ballots 3,400

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Wilkinson T.L.E.	FKF	1,779	52.3%	Elected
2	Cunningham M.J.	Conservative and Unionist Party	600	17.6%
3	Atcha A.A.	Labour Party	528	15.5%
4	Newall D.	Liberal Democrats	493	14.5%

Electorate 10,614 · Ballots cast 3,400 · EC ward code E05000663 · Back to ward index

Crompton · single-seat

Marginal winner 54.6% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −4.6 pts Valid ballots 4,148

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Jiva R.	Labour Party	2,266	54.6%	Elected
2	Patel S.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,319	31.8%
3	Fenton T.	BFC	281	6.8%
4	Godfrey F.	Liberal Democrats	158	3.8%
5	Rylance H.	Green Party	124	3.0%

Electorate 11,491 · Ballots cast 4,148 · EC ward code E05000654 · Back to ward index

Heaton & Lostock · single-seat

Marginal winner 57.0% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −7.0 pts Valid ballots 4,911

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Morgan A.	Conservative and Unionist Party	2,799	57.0%	Elected
2	Gillatt J.W.	Labour Party	1,419	28.9%
3	Priest S.	Liberal Democrats	488	9.9%
4	Jones K.	Green Party	205	4.2%

Electorate 10,769 · Ballots cast 4,911 · EC ward code E05000659 · Back to ward index

Great Lever · single-seat

Marginal winner 58.0% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −8.0 pts Valid ballots 3,680

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Iqbal M.	Labour Party	2,133	58.0%	Elected
2	Nazar M.M.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,190	32.3%
3	Figgins D.	Green Party	223	6.1%
4	Macpherson D.A.	Liberal Democrats	134	3.6%

Electorate 10,408 · Ballots cast 3,680 · EC ward code E05000656 · Back to ward index

Bromley Cross · single-seat

Marginal winner 61.7% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −11.7 pts Valid ballots 4,455

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Muslim N.	Conservative and Unionist Party	2,748	61.7%	Elected
2	Mort E.G.A.	Labour Party	1,261	28.3%
3	Spencer E.	Green Party	282	6.3%
4	Turner E.	Liberal Democrats	164	3.7%

Electorate 10,458 · Ballots cast 4,455 · EC ward code E05000653 · Back to ward index

Rumworth · single-seat

Marginal winner 63.6% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −13.6 pts Valid ballots 3,803

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Abdullah S.	Labour Party	2,417	63.6%	Elected
2	Patel S.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,100	28.9%
3	Johnson A.	Green Party	196	5.2%
4	Cooper D.C.T.	Liberal Democrats	90	2.4%

Electorate 10,240 · Ballots cast 3,803 · EC ward code E05000665 · Back to ward index

Bradshaw · single-seat

Marginal winner 68.8% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −18.8 pts Valid ballots 3,691

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Radcliffe J.	Conservative and Unionist Party	2,539	68.8%	Elected
2	Pratheepan L.	Labour Party	842	22.8%
3	Howes S.	Green Party	214	5.8%
4	Turner-Preece C.	Liberal Democrats	96	2.6%

Electorate 8,994 · Ballots cast 3,691 · EC ward code E05000651 · Back to ward index

Halliwell · single-seat

Marginal winner 73.4% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −23.4 pts Valid ballots 2,879

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Lewis K.	Labour Party	2,113	73.4%	Elected
2	Dean M.N.	Conservative and Unionist Party	529	18.4%
3	Taylor C.P.	Green Party	103	3.6%
4	Massey A.	Independent	79	2.7%
5	Newall C.	Liberal Democrats	55	1.9%

Electorate 9,313 · Ballots cast 2,879 · EC ward code E05000657 · Back to ward index