← Bolton (all cycles) · 5 May 2022 cohort

Bolton 2022

Local elections held 5 May 2022.

20 ward races

20 seats

12 elected below the proportional quota

60.0% 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 20 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
Labour Party	26,041	38.0%	8	40.0%	9	45.0%	-1
Conservative and Unionist Party	23,377	34.1%	9	45.0%	8	40.0%	+1
Liberal Democrats	6,696	9.8%	2	10.0%	2	10.0%	0
Reform UK	3,922	5.7%	0	0.0%	1	5.0%	-1
F & K FIRST	2,394	3.5%	0	0.0%	0	0.0%	0
Green Party	1,440	2.1%	0	0.0%	0	0.0%	0
FIRST	1,299	1.9%	0	0.0%	0	0.0%	0
H & B FIRST	1,143	1.7%	0	0.0%	0	0.0%	0
OK	1,099	1.6%	1	5.0%	0	0.0%	+1
LL&D FIRST	634	0.9%	0	0.0%	0	0.0%	0
WFI	361	0.5%	0	0.0%	0	0.0%	0
Independent	92	0.1%	0	0.0%	0	0.0%	0
Total	68,498	100.0%	20	100.0%	20	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 32.0% · +18.0 pts below quota
Westhoughton South · 1 seat · won at 32.7% · +17.3 pts below quota
Kearsley · 1 seat · won at 37.9% · +12.1 pts below quota
Little Lever & Darcy Lever · 1 seat · won at 37.9% · +12.1 pts below quota
Horwich North East · 1 seat · won at 38.0% · +12.0 pts below quota
Westhoughton North & Chew Moor · 1 seat · won at 42.7% · +7.3 pts below quota
Hulton · 1 seat · won at 44.4% · +5.6 pts below quota
Tonge With the Haulgh · 1 seat · won at 44.8% · +5.2 pts below quota
Crompton · 1 seat · won at 45.7% · +4.3 pts below quota
Farnworth · 1 seat · won at 47.9% · +2.1 pts below quota
Breightmet · 1 seat · won at 49.1% · +0.9 pts below quota
Astley Bridge · 1 seat · won at 49.4% · +0.6 pts below quota
Smithills · 1 seat · won at 50.7% · above quota
Heaton & Lostock · 1 seat · won at 52.3% · above quota
Bradshaw · 1 seat · won at 52.5% · above quota
Rumworth · 1 seat · won at 55.2% · above quota
Bromley Cross · 1 seat · won at 56.4% · above quota
Harper Green · 1 seat · won at 57.0% · above quota
Great Lever · 1 seat · won at 68.3% · above quota
Halliwell · 1 seat · won at 74.5% · above quota

Race results

Horwich & Blackrod · single-seat

Marginal winner 32.0% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference +18.0 pts below quota Valid ballots 3,746

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Baines S.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,200	32.0%	Elected
2	Williamson S.	H & B FIRST	1,143	30.5%
3	Millington K.	Labour Party	1,129	30.1%
4	Anderson J.	Green Party	155	4.1%
5	Walsh K.	Liberal Democrats	73	1.9%
6	Richards L.	Reform UK	46	1.2%

Electorate 10,980 · Ballots cast 3,746 · EC ward code E05000660 · Back to ward index

Westhoughton South · single-seat

Marginal winner 32.7% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference +17.3 pts below quota Valid ballots 3,419

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Wilkinson D.	Liberal Democrats	1,118	32.7%	Elected
2	Tighe M.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,054	30.8%
3	Chadwick D.	Labour Party	1,009	29.5%
4	Brennan R.	WFI	141	4.1%
5	Bates R.	Reform UK	97	2.8%

Electorate 9,966 · Ballots cast 3,419 · EC ward code E05000669 · Back to ward index

Kearsley · single-seat

Marginal winner 37.9% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference +12.1 pts below quota Valid ballots 2,903

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Newall D.	OK	1,099	37.9%	Elected
2	Flitcroft P.	F & K FIRST	715	24.6%
3	Owen J.	Labour Party	593	20.4%
4	Cunningham M.	Conservative and Unionist Party	241	8.3%
5	Pattison J.	Reform UK	221	7.6%
6	Wilkinson M.	Liberal Democrats	34	1.2%

Electorate 10,560 · Ballots cast 2,903 · EC ward code E05000663 · Back to ward index

Little Lever & Darcy Lever · single-seat

Marginal winner 37.9% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference +12.1 pts below quota Valid ballots 3,277

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Meehan D.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,243	37.9%	Elected
2	Pratheepan L.	Labour Party	809	24.7%
3	Gibbon R.	LL&D FIRST	634	19.3%
4	Harris K.	Reform UK	485	14.8%
5	Turner-Preece S.	Liberal Democrats	106	3.2%

Electorate 9,665 · Ballots cast 3,277 · EC ward code E05000664 · Back to ward index

Horwich North East · single-seat

Marginal winner 38.0% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference +12.0 pts below quota Valid ballots 3,753

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	McKeon K.	Labour Party	1,428	38.0%	Elected
2	Bamforth R.	FIRST	1,299	34.6%
3	O'Kelly C.	Conservative and Unionist Party	641	17.1%
4	Turner-Allen M.	Liberal Democrats	212	5.6%
5	Ebbitt D.	Green Party	133	3.5%
6	Lear D.	Reform UK	40	1.1%

Electorate 10,023 · Ballots cast 3,753 · EC ward code E05000661 · Back to ward index

Westhoughton North & Chew Moor · single-seat

Marginal winner 42.7% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference +7.3 pts below quota Valid ballots 3,863

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Cox M.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,648	42.7%	Elected
2	Price A.	Liberal Democrats	1,266	32.8%
3	Jiva Z.	Labour Party	645	16.7%
4	Speight J.	WFI	220	5.7%
5	Armstrong J.	Reform UK	84	2.2%

Electorate 11,078 · Ballots cast 3,863 · EC ward code E05000668 · Back to ward index

Hulton · single-seat

Marginal winner 44.4% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference +5.6 pts below quota Valid ballots 3,200

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Patel S.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,420	44.4%	Elected
2	Shaikh S.	Labour Party	1,189	37.2%
3	Shepherd W.	Green Party	241	7.5%
4	Maher N.	Liberal Democrats	179	5.6%
5	Lowe R.	Reform UK	171	5.3%

Electorate 10,186 · Ballots cast 3,200 · EC ward code E05000662 · Back to ward index

Tonge With the Haulgh · single-seat

Marginal winner 44.8% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference +5.2 pts below quota Valid ballots 2,877

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Peel N.	Labour Party	1,288	44.8%	Elected
2	McArdle W.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,102	38.3%
3	Jones T.	Reform UK	401	13.9%
4	Harasiwka R.	Liberal Democrats	86	3.0%

Electorate 9,346 · Ballots cast 2,877 · EC ward code E05000667 · Back to ward index

Crompton · single-seat

Marginal winner 45.7% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference +4.3 pts below quota Valid ballots 3,970

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Mort E.	Labour Party	1,815	45.7%	Elected
2	Davda Y.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,783	44.9%
3	Fitzsimmons G.	Reform UK	198	5.0%
4	Godfrey F.	Liberal Democrats	174	4.4%

Electorate 11,586 · Ballots cast 3,970 · EC ward code E05000654 · Back to ward index

Farnworth · single-seat

Marginal winner 47.9% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference +2.1 pts below quota Valid ballots 2,935

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Ayub N.	Labour Party	1,406	47.9%	Elected
2	Flitcroft M.	F & K FIRST	1,118	38.1%
3	Derbyshire M.	Conservative and Unionist Party	216	7.4%
4	Whitworth S.	Reform UK	143	4.9%
5	MacPherson C.	Liberal Democrats	52	1.8%

Electorate 10,994 · Ballots cast 2,935 · EC ward code E05000655 · Back to ward index

Breightmet · single-seat

Marginal winner 49.1% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference +0.9 pts below quota Valid ballots 3,066

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Warren A.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,504	49.1%	Elected
2	Butler G.	Labour Party	1,207	39.4%
3	McLoughlin M.	Reform UK	228	7.4%
4	Forrest B.	Liberal Democrats	127	4.1%

Electorate 9,742 · Ballots cast 3,066 · EC ward code E05000652 · Back to ward index

Astley Bridge · single-seat

Marginal winner 49.4% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference +0.6 pts below quota Valid ballots 3,530

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Walsh J.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,743	49.4%	Elected
2	Sutton S.	Labour Party	1,193	33.8%
3	Devereux M.	Green Party	254	7.2%
4	Haslam J.	Liberal Democrats	232	6.6%
5	Monson A.	Reform UK	108	3.1%

Electorate 10,368 · Ballots cast 3,530 · EC ward code E05000650 · Back to ward index

Smithills · single-seat

Marginal winner 50.7% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −0.7 pts Valid ballots 3,810

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Priest S.	Liberal Democrats	1,931	50.7%	Elected
2	Sesay S.	Labour Party	980	25.7%
3	Johnson J.	Conservative and Unionist Party	612	16.1%
4	Shaw H.	Reform UK	183	4.8%
5	Riesco R.	Green Party	104	2.7%

Electorate 10,481 · Ballots cast 3,810 · EC ward code E05000666 · Back to ward index

Heaton & Lostock · single-seat

Marginal winner 52.3% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −2.3 pts Valid ballots 4,277

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Galloway A.	Conservative and Unionist Party	2,239	52.3%	Elected
2	Kugathas J.	Labour Party	1,172	27.4%
3	Campbell G.	Reform UK	596	13.9%
4	Priest J.	Liberal Democrats	270	6.3%

Electorate 10,745 · Ballots cast 4,277 · EC ward code E05000659 · Back to ward index

Bradshaw · single-seat

Marginal winner 52.5% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −2.5 pts Valid ballots 3,284

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Dean M.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,723	52.5%	Elected
2	Tibbitts J.	Labour Party	1,069	32.6%
3	Turner-Preece C.	Liberal Democrats	301	9.2%
4	Swarsbrick D.	Reform UK	191	5.8%

Electorate 8,992 · Ballots cast 3,284 · EC ward code E05000651 · Back to ward index

Rumworth · single-seat

Marginal winner 55.2% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −5.2 pts Valid ballots 3,657

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Atcha A.	Labour Party	2,017	55.2%	Elected
2	Patel A.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,297	35.5%
3	Johnson A.	Green Party	226	6.2%
4	Riley C.	Reform UK	62	1.7%
5	Cooper D.	Liberal Democrats	55	1.5%

Electorate 10,249 · Ballots cast 3,657 · EC ward code E05000665 · Back to ward index

Bromley Cross · single-seat

Marginal winner 56.4% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −6.4 pts Valid ballots 4,066

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Cowen A.	Conservative and Unionist Party	2,295	56.4%	Elected
2	Cox G.	Labour Party	1,227	30.2%
3	Harrison L.	Green Party	187	4.6%
4	Hare A.	Reform UK	183	4.5%
5	Fox W.	Liberal Democrats	174	4.3%

Electorate 10,392 · Ballots cast 4,066 · EC ward code E05000653 · Back to ward index

Harper Green · single-seat

Marginal winner 57.0% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −7.0 pts Valid ballots 3,212

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Khurram H.	Labour Party	1,831	57.0%	Elected
2	Khan F.	Conservative and Unionist Party	567	17.7%
3	Oliver L.	F & K FIRST	561	17.5%
4	Worthington P.	Reform UK	180	5.6%
5	Hayes J.	Liberal Democrats	73	2.3%

Electorate 10,283 · Ballots cast 3,212 · EC ward code E05000658 · Back to ward index

Great Lever · single-seat

Marginal winner 68.3% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −18.3 pts Valid ballots 2,873

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Ayub M.	Labour Party	1,963	68.3%	Elected
2	Davda Z.	Conservative and Unionist Party	514	17.9%
3	McAllister A.	Reform UK	149	5.2%
4	Rylance H.	Green Party	140	4.9%
5	MacPherson D.	Liberal Democrats	107	3.7%

Electorate 10,736 · Ballots cast 2,873 · EC ward code E05000656 · Back to ward index

Halliwell · single-seat

Marginal winner 74.5% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −24.5 pts Valid ballots 2,780

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Zaman A.	Labour Party	2,071	74.5%	Elected
2	Webb L.	Conservative and Unionist Party	335	12.1%
3	Cryer N.	Reform UK	156	5.6%
4	Turner-Allen L.	Liberal Democrats	126	4.5%
5	Massey A.	Independent	92	3.3%

Electorate 9,393 · Ballots cast 2,780 · EC ward code E05000657 · Back to ward index