← Chelmsford (all cycles) · 4 May 2023 cohort

Chelmsford 2023

Local elections held 4 May 2023.

24 ward races

57 seats

53 elected below the proportional quota

93.0% 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 24 wards in this cycle, parties received the vote totals below. The proportional column shows what each party would have won if the 57 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
Liberal Democrats	39,567	41.5%	33	57.9%	25	43.9%	+8
Conservative and Unionist Party	37,771	39.6%	21	36.8%	23	40.4%	-2
Labour Party	9,010	9.4%	0	0.0%	5	8.8%	-5
Green Party	2,445	2.6%	0	0.0%	1	1.8%	-1
Independent	2,220	2.3%	2	3.5%	1	1.8%	+1
SWFCTA	2,003	2.1%	0	0.0%	1	1.8%	-1
Independent Network	1,891	2.0%	1	1.8%	1	1.8%	0
Heritage Party	193	0.2%	0	0.0%	0	0.0%	0
UK Independence Party (UKIP)	178	0.2%	0	0.0%	0	0.0%	0
Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition	85	0.1%	0	0.0%	0	0.0%	0
Total	95,363	100.0%	57	100.0%	57	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.

Broomfield & The Walthams · 3 seats · won at 11.9% · +13.1 pts below quota
Galleywood · 2 seats · won at 21.6% · +11.7 pts below quota
Waterhouse Farm · 2 seats · won at 21.7% · +11.7 pts below quota
Moulsham Lodge · 2 seats · won at 22.3% · +11.0 pts below quota
South Woodham-Elmwood & Woodville · 3 seats · won at 14.2% · +10.8 pts below quota
Springfield North · 3 seats · won at 14.2% · +10.8 pts below quota
South Woodham-Chetwood & Collingwood · 3 seats · won at 14.5% · +10.5 pts below quota
Chelmer Village & Beaulieu Park · 3 seats · won at 15.1% · +9.9 pts below quota
Moulsham & Central · 3 seats · won at 15.7% · +9.3 pts below quota
Great Baddow East · 3 seats · won at 16.0% · +9.0 pts below quota
Marconi · 2 seats · won at 24.9% · +8.5 pts below quota
Rettendon & Runwell · 2 seats · won at 25.4% · +7.9 pts below quota
The Lawns · 2 seats · won at 25.5% · +7.9 pts below quota
Writtle · 2 seats · won at 25.7% · +7.7 pts below quota
Patching Hall · 3 seats · won at 17.5% · +7.5 pts below quota
Goat Hall · 2 seats · won at 26.2% · +7.1 pts below quota
Trinity · 2 seats · won at 26.9% · +6.5 pts below quota
Great Baddow West · 2 seats · won at 27.4% · +5.9 pts below quota
Boreham & The Leighs · 2 seats · won at 29.5% · +3.8 pts below quota
St. Andrews · 3 seats · won at 22.5% · +2.5 pts below quota
Little Baddow Danbury & Sandon · 3 seats · won at 23.1% · +1.9 pts below quota
Bicknacre & East & West Hanningfield · 2 seats · won at 32.3% · +1.0 pts below quota
South Hanningfield Stock & Margaretting · 2 seats · won at 37.5% · above quota
Chelmsford Rural West · 1 seat · won at 69.3% · above quota

Race results

Broomfield & The Walthams · 3-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 11.9% Proportional quota 25.0% Difference +13.1 pts below quota Valid ballots 7,332

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Steel, M.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,148	15.7%	Elected
2	Wilson, P.	Conservative and Unionist Party	889	12.1%	Elected
3	Bugbee, N.	Liberal Democrats	870	11.9%	Elected
4	Johnson, D.	Liberal Democrats	850	11.6%
5	Todd, C.	Conservative and Unionist Party	841	11.5%
6	Udoh, T.	Liberal Democrats	716	9.8%
7	Daden, W.	Independent	691	9.4%
8	Golla, K.	Labour Party	357	4.9%
9	Dixon, P.	Labour Party	342	4.7%
10	Thompson, M.	Green Party	333	4.5%
11	Howell, D.	Labour Party	295	4.0%

Electorate 7,979 · Ballots cast 7,332 · Back to ward index

Galleywood · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 21.6% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +11.7 pts below quota Valid ballots 2,556

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Potter, J.	Conservative and Unionist Party	740	29.0%	Elected
2	Hyland, R.	Independent Network	552	21.6%	Elected
3	Chambers, A.	Conservative and Unionist Party	530	20.7%
4	Gale, I.	Liberal Democrats	213	8.3%
5	Hay, K.	Liberal Democrats	180	7.0%
6	Croft, R.	Labour Party	179	7.0%
7	Haines, A.	Labour Party	162	6.3%

Electorate 4,168 · Ballots cast 2,556 · Back to ward index

Waterhouse Farm · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 21.7% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +11.7 pts below quota Valid ballots 2,959

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Lardge, J.	Liberal Democrats	732	24.7%	Elected
2	Walsh, N.	Liberal Democrats	641	21.7%	Elected
3	Richards, P.	Labour Party	494	16.7%
4	Sharma, P.	Labour Party	467	15.8%
5	Jeapes, B.	Conservative and Unionist Party	337	11.4%
6	Smith, G.	Conservative and Unionist Party	288	9.7%

Electorate 4,502 · Ballots cast 2,959 · Back to ward index

Moulsham Lodge · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 22.3% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +11.0 pts below quota Valid ballots 3,095

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Goldman, S.	Liberal Democrats	742	24.0%	Elected
2	Thompson, A.	Liberal Democrats	691	22.3%	Elected
3	Gisby, R.	Conservative and Unionist Party	676	21.8%
4	Smith, J.	Conservative and Unionist Party	625	20.2%
5	Wright, T.	Labour Party	188	6.1%
6	Young, C.	Green Party	173	5.6%

Electorate 4,233 · Ballots cast 3,095 · Back to ward index

South Woodham-Elmwood & Woodville · 3-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 14.2% Proportional quota 25.0% Difference +10.8 pts below quota Valid ballots 3,718

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Eley, D.	Liberal Democrats	618	16.6%	Elected
2	Sherlock, T.	Liberal Democrats	582	15.7%	Elected
3	O'Brien, M.	Conservative and Unionist Party	527	14.2%	Elected
4	Bentley, K.	SWFCTA	518	13.9%
5	Roberts, I.	SWFCTA	463	12.5%
6	Davey, D.	Liberal Democrats	435	11.7%
7	Wilson, S.	Conservative and Unionist Party	396	10.7%
8	Weaver, A.	Labour Party	179	4.8%

Electorate 5,842 · Ballots cast 3,718 · Back to ward index

Springfield North · 3-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 14.2% Proportional quota 25.0% Difference +10.8 pts below quota Valid ballots 6,306

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Clark, D.	Liberal Democrats	943	15.0%	Elected
2	Fuller, I.	Liberal Democrats	925	14.7%	Elected
3	Tron, C.	Liberal Democrats	897	14.2%	Elected
4	Hutchinson, P.	Conservative and Unionist Party	893	14.2%
5	Aluko, E.	Conservative and Unionist Party	781	12.4%
6	Pioli, J.	Conservative and Unionist Party	767	12.2%
7	Lovett, M.	Independent Network	245	3.9%
8	Haigh, S.	Labour Party	236	3.7%
9	Kennedy, K.	Labour Party	222	3.5%
10	Kennedy, R.	Labour Party	210	3.3%
11	Hossain, R.	Green Party	187	3.0%

Electorate 7,493 · Ballots cast 6,306 · Back to ward index

South Woodham-Chetwood & Collingwood · 3-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 14.5% Proportional quota 25.0% Difference +10.5 pts below quota Valid ballots 3,672

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Massey, B.	Conservative and Unionist Party	708	19.3%	Elected
2	Sismey, M.	Conservative and Unionist Party	656	17.9%	Elected
3	John, A.	Conservative and Unionist Party	534	14.5%	Elected
4	Birch, J.	SWFCTA	527	14.4%
5	Wilson, S.	SWFCTA	495	13.5%
6	Gatenby, J.	Labour Party	218	5.9%
7	Powling, A.	Liberal Democrats	205	5.6%
8	Powling, I.	Liberal Democrats	170	4.6%
9	Regnier-Wilson, M.	Liberal Democrats	159	4.3%

Electorate 5,886 · Ballots cast 3,672 · Back to ward index

Chelmer Village & Beaulieu Park · 3-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 15.1% Proportional quota 25.0% Difference +9.9 pts below quota Valid ballots 7,187

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Moore, R.	Liberal Democrats	1,177	16.4%	Elected
2	Hall, S.	Liberal Democrats	1,092	15.2%	Elected
3	Sullivan, S.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,083	15.1%	Elected
4	Gupta, S.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,026	14.3%
5	Walker, G.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,025	14.3%
6	Jeffreys, D.	Liberal Democrats	1,025	14.3%
7	Dearmer, L.	Labour Party	304	4.2%
8	Sweeney, D.	Labour Party	262	3.6%
9	Schultz, E.	Heritage Party	193	2.7%

Electorate 7,760 · Ballots cast 7,187 · Back to ward index

Moulsham & Central · 3-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 15.7% Proportional quota 25.0% Difference +9.3 pts below quota Valid ballots 8,865

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Goldman, M.	Liberal Democrats	1,737	19.6%	Elected
2	Adutwim, C.	Liberal Democrats	1,491	16.8%	Elected
3	Pooley, G.	Liberal Democrats	1,392	15.7%	Elected
4	Gisby, K.	Conservative and Unionist Party	914	10.3%
5	Hall, L.	Conservative and Unionist Party	903	10.2%
6	Shah, S.	Conservative and Unionist Party	871	9.8%
7	Kershaw, S.	Green Party	474	5.3%
8	Etheridge, P.	Labour Party	385	4.3%
9	Massey, E.	Labour Party	368	4.2%
10	Parry, R.	Labour Party	330	3.7%

Electorate 9,180 · Ballots cast 8,865 · Back to ward index

Great Baddow East · 3-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 16.0% Proportional quota 25.0% Difference +9.0 pts below quota Valid ballots 5,171

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Franks, K.	Liberal Democrats	871	16.8%	Elected
2	Davey, P.	Liberal Democrats	869	16.8%	Elected
3	Sosin, A.	Liberal Democrats	829	16.0%	Elected
4	McQuiggan, A.	Conservative and Unionist Party	671	13.0%
5	Springthorpe, C.	Conservative and Unionist Party	617	11.9%
6	Cordeiro, M.	Independent Network	534	10.3%
7	Wye, L.	Green Party	327	6.3%
8	Hesper, N.	Labour Party	275	5.3%
9	Carter, N.	UK Independence Party (UKIP)	178	3.4%

Electorate 6,284 · Ballots cast 5,171 · Back to ward index

Marconi · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 24.9% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +8.5 pts below quota Valid ballots 2,536

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Deakin, J.	Liberal Democrats	771	30.4%	Elected
2	Rajesh, S.	Liberal Democrats	631	24.9%	Elected
3	Scott, J.	Conservative and Unionist Party	283	11.2%
4	Bishop, P.	Labour Party	273	10.8%
5	Bartlett, R.	Green Party	192	7.6%
6	Legg, J.	Labour Party	177	7.0%
7	Daines, K.	Independent Network	124	4.9%
8	O'Donnell, A.	Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition	85	3.4%

Electorate 5,495 · Ballots cast 2,536 · Back to ward index

Rettendon & Runwell · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 25.4% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +7.9 pts below quota Valid ballots 2,871

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Clark, P.	Independent	800	27.9%	Elected
2	Davis, S.	Independent	729	25.4%	Elected
3	Knight, J.	Conservative and Unionist Party	545	19.0%
4	Phillips, D.	Conservative and Unionist Party	534	18.6%
5	Waterhouse, Y.	Labour Party	142	4.9%
6	Goldfinch, J.	Liberal Democrats	73	2.5%
7	Pennicard, R.	Liberal Democrats	48	1.7%

Electorate 4,958 · Ballots cast 2,871 · Back to ward index

The Lawns · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 25.5% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +7.9 pts below quota Valid ballots 3,225

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Lee, R.	Liberal Democrats	854	26.5%	Elected
2	Dudley, N.	Liberal Democrats	821	25.5%	Elected
3	Alderman, J.	Conservative and Unionist Party	581	18.0%
4	Edwards, J.	Conservative and Unionist Party	555	17.2%
5	Mcdermott, D.	Labour Party	169	5.2%
6	Chadwick, B.	Independent Network	127	3.9%
7	Wotton, L.	Green Party	118	3.7%

Electorate 4,079 · Ballots cast 3,225 · Back to ward index

Writtle · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 25.7% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +7.7 pts below quota Valid ballots 2,919

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Thorpe-Apps, A.	Conservative and Unionist Party	796	27.3%	Elected
2	Knight, B.	Conservative and Unionist Party	749	25.7%	Elected
3	Loxton, D.	Liberal Democrats	552	18.9%
4	Valdaya, S.	Liberal Democrats	507	17.4%
5	Jordan, R.	Green Party	158	5.4%
6	Massey, S.	Labour Party	157	5.4%

Electorate 3,839 · Ballots cast 2,919 · Back to ward index

Patching Hall · 3-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 17.5% Proportional quota 25.0% Difference +7.5 pts below quota Valid ballots 5,608

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Davidson, C.	Liberal Democrats	1,104	19.7%	Elected
2	Foster, L.	Liberal Democrats	1,076	19.2%	Elected
3	Pappa, V.	Conservative and Unionist Party	984	17.5%	Elected
4	Holoway, M.	Conservative and Unionist Party	926	16.5%
5	Manley, S.	Liberal Democrats	821	14.6%
6	Thomson, A.	Green Party	361	6.4%
7	Kenningham-Brown, A.	Labour Party	336	6.0%

Electorate 6,522 · Ballots cast 5,608 · Back to ward index

Goat Hall · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 26.2% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +7.1 pts below quota Valid ballots 3,016

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Mascot, L.	Liberal Democrats	845	28.0%	Elected
2	Clark, H.	Liberal Democrats	790	26.2%	Elected
3	Garrett, C.	Conservative and Unionist Party	529	17.5%
4	Spence, Y.	Conservative and Unionist Party	480	15.9%
5	Chandler, J.	Labour Party	145	4.8%
6	Crook, J.	Green Party	122	4.0%
7	Medici, T.	Labour Party	105	3.5%

Electorate 4,505 · Ballots cast 3,016 · Back to ward index

Trinity · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 26.9% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +6.5 pts below quota Valid ballots 3,010

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Frascona, J.	Liberal Democrats	889	29.5%	Elected
2	Sampson, E.	Liberal Democrats	809	26.9%	Elected
3	Adams, B.	Conservative and Unionist Party	564	18.7%
4	Kimberlin, D.	Conservative and Unionist Party	543	18.0%
5	Jones, S.	Labour Party	205	6.8%

Electorate 4,439 · Ballots cast 3,010 · Back to ward index

Great Baddow West · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 27.4% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +5.9 pts below quota Valid ballots 2,326

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Young, S.	Liberal Democrats	702	30.2%	Elected
2	Sosin, J.	Liberal Democrats	637	27.4%	Elected
3	Subramanian, R.	Conservative and Unionist Party	512	22.0%
4	Graham, A.	Independent Network	309	13.3%
5	Peacock, J.	Labour Party	166	7.1%

Electorate 4,496 · Ballots cast 2,326 · Back to ward index

Boreham & The Leighs · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 29.5% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +3.8 pts below quota Valid ballots 2,268

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Raven, J.	Conservative and Unionist Party	697	30.7%	Elected
2	Canning, V.	Conservative and Unionist Party	669	29.5%	Elected
3	Beckett, T.	Liberal Democrats	366	16.1%
4	Kurra, J.	Liberal Democrats	317	14.0%
5	Devane, J.	Labour Party	219	9.7%

Electorate 4,930 · Ballots cast 2,268 · Back to ward index

St. Andrews · 3-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 22.5% Proportional quota 25.0% Difference +2.5 pts below quota Valid ballots 4,916

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Davidson, A.	Liberal Democrats	1,161	23.6%	Elected
2	Robinson, S.	Liberal Democrats	1,155	23.5%	Elected
3	Hawkins, J.	Liberal Democrats	1,104	22.5%	Elected
4	Cousins, P.	Conservative and Unionist Party	555	11.3%
5	Ahmed, C.	Conservative and Unionist Party	398	8.1%
6	Francis, M.	Labour Party	297	6.0%
7	Thornley, M.	Labour Party	246	5.0%

Electorate 6,391 · Ballots cast 4,916 · Back to ward index

Little Baddow Danbury & Sandon · 3-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 23.1% Proportional quota 25.0% Difference +1.9 pts below quota Valid ballots 6,188

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Scott, S.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,499	24.2%	Elected
2	Armstrong, J.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,466	23.7%	Elected
3	Jeapes, J.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,432	23.1%	Elected
4	Baker, S.	Liberal Democrats	508	8.2%
5	Whiteing, D.	Liberal Democrats	455	7.4%
6	Longford, A.	Liberal Democrats	421	6.8%
7	Capper, S.	Labour Party	205	3.3%
8	Hicks, C.	Labour Party	202	3.3%

Electorate 6,341 · Ballots cast 6,188 · Back to ward index

Bicknacre & East & West Hanningfield · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 32.3% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +1.0 pts below quota Valid ballots 2,289

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Dobson, S.	Conservative and Unionist Party	777	33.9%	Elected
2	Taylor, M.	Conservative and Unionist Party	740	32.3%	Elected
3	Wilson, A.	Liberal Democrats	279	12.2%
4	Stevens, R.	Liberal Democrats	258	11.3%
5	Blakemore, M.	Labour Party	235	10.3%

Electorate 4,010 · Ballots cast 2,289 · Back to ward index

South Hanningfield Stock & Margaretting · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 37.5% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference −4.1 pts Valid ballots 2,503

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Grundy, I.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,000	40.0%	Elected
2	Whitehead, R.	Conservative and Unionist Party	938	37.5%	Elected
3	Petri, G.	Liberal Democrats	221	8.8%
4	Windhorst, M.	Liberal Democrats	205	8.2%
5	Reilly, M.	Labour Party	139	5.6%

Electorate 4,362 · Ballots cast 2,503 · Back to ward index

Chelmsford Rural West · single-seat

Marginal winner 69.3% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −19.3 pts Valid ballots 827

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Chambers, N.	Conservative and Unionist Party	573	69.3%	Elected
2	Fenwick, O.	Liberal Democrats	135	16.3%
3	Maclean, S.	Labour Party	119	14.4%

Electorate 2,442 · Ballots cast 827 · Back to ward index