← Canterbury (all cycles) · 4 May 2023 cohort

Canterbury 2023

Local elections held 4 May 2023.

21 ward races

39 seats

35 elected below the proportional quota

89.7% 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 21 wards in this cycle, parties received the vote totals below. The proportional column shows what each party would have won if the 39 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	29,825	36.6%	18	46.2%	15	38.5%	+3
Conservative and Unionist Party	19,867	24.4%	8	20.5%	9	23.1%	-1
Liberal Democrats	17,935	22.0%	9	23.1%	9	23.1%	0
Green Party	11,350	13.9%	4	10.3%	5	12.8%	-1
Independent	2,259	2.8%	0	0.0%	1	2.6%	-1
Reform UK	296	0.4%	0	0.0%	0	0.0%	0
Total	81,532	100.0%	39	100.0%	39	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.

Sturry · 2 seats · won at 16.4% · +17.0 pts below quota
Seasalter · 2 seats · won at 16.8% · +16.6 pts below quota
Herne & Broomfield · 2 seats · won at 20.1% · +13.2 pts below quota
Wincheap · 2 seats · won at 20.4% · +12.9 pts below quota
Heron · 3 seats · won at 12.9% · +12.1 pts below quota
Gorrell · 3 seats · won at 14.4% · +10.6 pts below quota
Westgate · 2 seats · won at 23.2% · +10.1 pts below quota
Barton · 3 seats · won at 15.8% · +9.2 pts below quota
Chartham & Stone Street · 2 seats · won at 24.5% · +8.9 pts below quota
Beltinge · 2 seats · won at 24.8% · +8.5 pts below quota
Blean Forest · 3 seats · won at 16.6% · +8.4 pts below quota
Chestfield · 2 seats · won at 28.2% · +5.1 pts below quota
St Stephen's · 2 seats · won at 28.3% · +5.0 pts below quota
Greenhill · 1 seat · won at 46.7% · +3.3 pts below quota
Tankerton · 1 seat · won at 48.8% · +1.2 pts below quota
Reculver · 1 seat · won at 49.1% · +0.9 pts below quota
Northgate · 2 seats · won at 33.3% · 0.0 pts below quota
Swalecliffe · 1 seat · won at 55.3% · above quota
West Bay · 1 seat · won at 56.0% · above quota
Little Stour & Adisham · 1 seat · won at 72.0% · above quota
Nailbourne · 1 seat · won at 84.0% · above quota

Race results

Sturry · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 16.4% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +17.0 pts below quota Valid ballots 4,018

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	McKenzie, H.	Labour Party	783	19.5%	Elected
2	Moses, K.	Labour Party	658	16.4%	Elected
3	Harvey-Quirke, L.	Conservative and Unionist Party	656	16.3%
4	Glover, G.	Conservative and Unionist Party	623	15.5%
5	Campbell, P.	Green Party	418	10.4%
6	David, N.	Green Party	270	6.7%
7	Dekker, K.	Independent	173	4.3%
8	Taylor, H.	Independent	169	4.2%
9	Berceanu, E.	Liberal Democrats	136	3.4%
10	Sole, H.	Liberal Democrats	132	3.3%

Electorate 6,271 · Ballots cast 4,018 · Back to ward index

Seasalter · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 16.8% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +16.6 pts below quota Valid ballots 4,926

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Smith, N.	Labour Party	927	18.8%	Elected
2	Cornell, C.	Labour Party	826	16.8%	Elected
3	Clark, A.	Independent	825	16.7%
4	Spooner, C.	Independent	789	16.0%
5	Spencer, S.	Conservative and Unionist Party	675	13.7%
6	Wells, G.	Conservative and Unionist Party	657	13.3%
7	Mackechnie, M.	Liberal Democrats	114	2.3%
8	Dowling, M.	Liberal Democrats	113	2.3%

Electorate 6,156 · Ballots cast 4,926 · Back to ward index

Herne & Broomfield · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 20.1% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +13.2 pts below quota Valid ballots 3,594

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Jones, R.	Conservative and Unionist Party	812	22.6%	Elected
2	Howes, J.	Conservative and Unionist Party	722	20.1%	Elected
3	Maslin, D.	Liberal Democrats	446	12.4%
4	Gibson, C.	Labour Party	421	11.7%
5	Douglas, K.	Labour Party	419	11.7%
6	McHenry, B.	Liberal Democrats	291	8.1%
7	Decker, A.	Independent	197	5.5%
8	Stevens, A.	Green Party	169	4.7%
9	Williams, T.	Green Party	117	3.3%

Electorate 6,751 · Ballots cast 3,594 · Back to ward index

Wincheap · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 20.4% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +12.9 pts below quota Valid ballots 4,762

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Buckman, D.	Labour Party	1,027	21.6%	Elected
2	Franklin, R.	Liberal Democrats	971	20.4%	Elected
3	Inua, A.	Liberal Democrats	946	19.9%
4	Todd, P.	Labour Party	891	18.7%
5	Ellis, J.	Green Party	403	8.5%
6	Collins, P.	Conservative and Unionist Party	276	5.8%
7	McWilliams, R.	Conservative and Unionist Party	248	5.2%

Electorate 6,266 · Ballots cast 4,762 · Back to ward index

Heron · 3-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 12.9% Proportional quota 25.0% Difference +12.1 pts below quota Valid ballots 7,980

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Mellish, T.	Labour Party	1,079	13.5%	Elected
2	Harvey, L.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,037	13.0%	Elected
3	Thomas, D.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,030	12.9%	Elected
4	Wright, E.	Labour Party	1,023	12.8%
5	Pearce, F.	Labour Party	1,019	12.8%
6	Thomas, J.	Conservative and Unionist Party	978	12.3%
7	Vince, M.	Green Party	656	8.2%
8	Flaherty, M.	Liberal Democrats	600	7.5%
9	Ashton, M.	Liberal Democrats	329	4.1%
10	Old, L.	Liberal Democrats	229	2.9%

Electorate 9,655 · Ballots cast 7,980 · Back to ward index

Gorrell · 3-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 14.4% Proportional quota 25.0% Difference +10.6 pts below quota Valid ballots 10,345

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Turnbull, C.	Green Party	2,045	19.8%	Elected
2	Cornell, C.	Labour Party	1,643	15.9%	Elected
3	Wheeler, S.	Green Party	1,492	14.4%	Elected
4	Kenny, V.	Labour Party	1,392	13.5%
5	Allen, D.	Labour Party	1,293	12.5%
6	Sharp, T.	Green Party	1,215	11.7%
7	Bills, G.	Conservative and Unionist Party	434	4.2%
8	Newcombe, J.	Conservative and Unionist Party	426	4.1%
9	Wilson, P.	Conservative and Unionist Party	405	3.9%

Electorate 8,357 · Ballots cast 10,345 · Back to ward index

Westgate · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 23.2% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +10.1 pts below quota Valid ballots 4,029

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Hazelton, P.	Labour Party	975	24.2%	Elected
2	Dixey, M.	Liberal Democrats	936	23.2%	Elected
3	Jackson, R.	Labour Party	802	19.9%
4	Parkinson, R.	Liberal Democrats	636	15.8%
5	Grillet, B.	Green Party	321	8.0%
6	Doyle, R.	Conservative and Unionist Party	196	4.9%
7	Hippisley, J.	Conservative and Unionist Party	163	4.0%

Electorate 5,565 · Ballots cast 4,029 · Back to ward index

Barton · 3-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 15.8% Proportional quota 25.0% Difference +9.2 pts below quota Valid ballots 7,976

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Nolan, C.	Labour Party	1,476	18.5%	Elected
2	Edwards, P.	Labour Party	1,405	17.6%	Elected
3	Prentice, P.	Labour Party	1,257	15.8%	Elected
4	Arch, M.	Conservative and Unionist Party	718	9.0%
5	Collins, S.	Conservative and Unionist Party	605	7.6%
6	Streater, M.	Conservative and Unionist Party	555	7.0%
7	Duplock, G.	Liberal Democrats	397	5.0%
8	Metcalfe, G.	Liberal Democrats	374	4.7%
9	Zoettl, J.	Liberal Democrats	345	4.3%
10	Hazraty, D.	Green Party	320	4.0%
11	Smith, M.	Green Party	297	3.7%
12	Tough, N.	Green Party	227	2.8%

Electorate 7,555 · Ballots cast 7,976 · Back to ward index

Chartham & Stone Street · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 24.5% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +8.9 pts below quota Valid ballots 4,712

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Brady, A.	Labour Party	1,169	24.8%	Elected
2	Bland, M.	Labour Party	1,153	24.5%	Elected
3	Hobbs, L.	Conservative and Unionist Party	593	12.6%
4	Curryer, E.	Conservative and Unionist Party	567	12.0%
5	Hawkins, Y.	Liberal Democrats	485	10.3%
6	Galloway, J.	Liberal Democrats	407	8.6%
7	Lawrence, G.	Green Party	338	7.2%

Electorate 5,667 · Ballots cast 4,712 · Back to ward index

Beltinge · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 24.8% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +8.5 pts below quota Valid ballots 3,789

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Stockley, I.	Conservative and Unionist Party	944	24.9%	Elected
2	Stockley, J.	Conservative and Unionist Party	940	24.8%	Elected
3	Pearce, T.	Labour Party	454	12.0%
4	Wheeldon, C.	Labour Party	425	11.2%
5	Gadsby, N.	Green Party	417	11.0%
6	Everatt, R.	Green Party	253	6.7%
7	Anderson, A.	Liberal Democrats	200	5.3%
8	Smith, P.	Liberal Democrats	156	4.1%

Electorate 5,913 · Ballots cast 3,789 · Back to ward index

Blean Forest · 3-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 16.6% Proportional quota 25.0% Difference +8.4 pts below quota Valid ballots 5,694

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Ricketts, A.	Liberal Democrats	1,214	21.3%	Elected
2	Jupe, S.	Liberal Democrats	1,035	18.2%	Elected
3	Smith, D.	Liberal Democrats	944	16.6%	Elected
4	May, N.	Labour Party	444	7.8%
5	Hilton, A.	Green Party	398	7.0%
6	Needham, H.	Labour Party	383	6.7%
7	Newman, S.	Labour Party	367	6.4%
8	Somerville-Meikle, J.	Conservative and Unionist Party	329	5.8%
9	Ovenden, G.	Conservative and Unionist Party	299	5.3%
10	Streater, T.	Conservative and Unionist Party	281	4.9%

Electorate 4,155 · Ballots cast 5,694 · Back to ward index

Chestfield · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 28.2% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +5.1 pts below quota Valid ballots 4,811

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Old, P.	Liberal Democrats	1,381	28.7%	Elected
2	Flanagan, J.	Liberal Democrats	1,358	28.2%	Elected
3	Bailey, S.	Conservative and Unionist Party	649	13.5%
4	Fitter-Harding, B.	Conservative and Unionist Party	489	10.2%
5	Langton, P.	Labour Party	349	7.3%
6	Roberts, S.	Labour Party	256	5.3%
7	Kibble, A.	Reform UK	122	2.5%
8	Egerton, J.	Independent	106	2.2%
9	Lilley, L.	Reform UK	101	2.1%

Electorate 5,664 · Ballots cast 4,811 · Back to ward index

St Stephen's · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 28.3% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +5.0 pts below quota Valid ballots 3,731

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Dawkins, M.	Labour Party	1,167	31.3%	Elected
2	Carr-Ellis, E.	Labour Party	1,057	28.3%	Elected
3	Palmer, C.	Liberal Democrats	366	9.8%
4	Everatt, G.	Green Party	314	8.4%
5	Capper, J.	Liberal Democrats	288	7.7%
6	McNamara, L.	Conservative and Unionist Party	273	7.3%
7	Sweetman, O.	Conservative and Unionist Party	266	7.1%

Electorate 4,975 · Ballots cast 3,731 · Back to ward index

Greenhill · single-seat

Marginal winner 46.7% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference +3.3 pts below quota Valid ballots 901

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Watkins, D.	Conservative and Unionist Party	421	46.7%	Elected
2	Davidson, A.	Labour Party	350	38.8%
3	Ainscough, V.	Liberal Democrats	130	14.4%

Electorate 3,346 · Ballots cast 901 · Back to ward index

Tankerton · single-seat

Marginal winner 48.8% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference +1.2 pts below quota Valid ballots 1,460

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Warley, S.	Labour Party	713	48.8%	Elected
2	Baker, N.	Conservative and Unionist Party	560	38.4%
3	Parry, N.	Liberal Democrats	187	12.8%

Electorate 2,857 · Ballots cast 1,460 · Back to ward index

Reculver · single-seat

Marginal winner 49.1% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference +0.9 pts below quota Valid ballots 1,087

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Carnac, R.	Conservative and Unionist Party	534	49.1%	Elected
2	Ayling, B.	Labour Party	321	29.5%
3	Peckham, S.	Green Party	135	12.4%
4	Bowley, J.	Liberal Democrats	97	8.9%

Electorate 3,237 · Ballots cast 1,087 · Back to ward index

Northgate · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 33.3% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference 0.0 pts below quota Valid ballots 2,048

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Butcher, J.	Labour Party	682	33.3%	Elected
2	Baldock, A.	Labour Party	682	33.3%	Elected
3	Baker, M.	Green Party	177	8.6%
4	O'Reilly, E.	Conservative and Unionist Party	161	7.9%
5	Ralph, L.	Conservative and Unionist Party	156	7.6%
6	Leggatt, M.	Liberal Democrats	97	4.7%
7	Pope, L.	Liberal Democrats	93	4.5%

Electorate 3,787 · Ballots cast 2,048 · Back to ward index

Swalecliffe · single-seat

Marginal winner 55.3% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −5.3 pts Valid ballots 1,390

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Bothwell, K.	Green Party	769	55.3%	Elected
2	Dance, M.	Conservative and Unionist Party	370	26.6%
3	Wescomb, A.	Labour Party	178	12.8%
4	Wallace, E.	Reform UK	73	5.3%

Electorate 3,206 · Ballots cast 1,390 · Back to ward index

West Bay · single-seat

Marginal winner 56.0% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −6.0 pts Valid ballots 1,069

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Harvey, A.	Green Party	599	56.0%	Elected
2	Paget, G.	Conservative and Unionist Party	339	31.7%
3	Little, B.	Labour Party	131	12.3%

Electorate 3,170 · Ballots cast 1,069 · Back to ward index

Little Stour & Adisham · single-seat

Marginal winner 72.0% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −22.0 pts Valid ballots 1,613

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Castle, L.	Liberal Democrats	1,161	72.0%	Elected
2	Scott, H.	Conservative and Unionist Party	310	19.2%
3	O'Neill, P.	Labour Party	142	8.8%

Electorate 3,274 · Ballots cast 1,613 · Back to ward index

Nailbourne · single-seat

Marginal winner 84.0% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −34.0 pts Valid ballots 1,597

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Sole, M.	Liberal Democrats	1,341	84.0%	Elected
2	Harriss, C.	Conservative and Unionist Party	170	10.6%
3	Homan, M.	Labour Party	86	5.4%

Electorate 3,130 · Ballots cast 1,597 · Back to ward index