← Colchester (all cycles) · 6 May 2021 cohort

Colchester 2021

Local elections held 6 May 2021.

26 ward races

28 seats

14 elected below the proportional quota

50.0% 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 26 wards in this cycle, parties received the vote totals below. The proportional column shows what each party would have won if the 28 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	44,449	44.5%	14	50.0%	13	46.4%	+1
Labour Party	23,253	23.3%	6	21.4%	6	21.4%	0
Liberal Democrats	20,095	20.1%	6	21.4%	6	21.4%	0
Green Party	10,313	10.3%	1	3.6%	3	10.7%	-2
Independent	912	0.9%	1	3.6%	0	0.0%	+1
Reform UK	712	0.7%	0	0.0%	0	0.0%	0
FREE	89	0.1%	0	0.0%	0	0.0%	0
Total	99,823	100.0%	28	100.0%	28	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.

Highwoods · 1 seat · won at 35.0% · +15.0 pts below quota
Shrub End · 1 seat · won at 37.0% · +13.0 pts below quota
Castle · 1 seat · won at 37.8% · +12.2 pts below quota
Wivenhoe · 1 seat · won at 38.4% · +11.6 pts below quota
Wivenhoe St. Andrew · 1 seat · won at 39.3% · +10.7 pts below quota
Mile End & Highwoods · 1 seat · won at 39.9% · +10.1 pts below quota
Prettygate · 2 seats · won at 23.5% · +9.8 pts below quota
Parsons Heath & East Gates · 1 seat · won at 41.2% · +8.8 pts below quota
St Anne's & St John's · 1 seat · won at 42.0% · +8.0 pts below quota
New Town & Christ Church · 1 seat · won at 43.4% · +6.6 pts below quota
Abbey · 1 seat · won at 45.0% · +5.0 pts below quota
Lexden & Braiswick · 2 seats · won at 29.6% · +3.7 pts below quota
Stanway · 1 seat · won at 46.4% · +3.6 pts below quota
Maypole · 1 seat · won at 49.8% · +0.2 pts below quota
Stanway & Pyefleet · 1 seat · won at 51.1% · above quota
Greenstead · 1 seat · won at 52.0% · above quota
Old Heath & The Hythe · 1 seat · won at 53.3% · above quota
Drury · 1 seat · won at 56.1% · above quota
Rural North · 1 seat · won at 64.5% · above quota
Mile End · 1 seat · won at 65.3% · above quota
Constable · 1 seat · won at 67.1% · above quota
Marks Tey & Layer · 1 seat · won at 67.4% · above quota
Berechurch · 1 seat · won at 68.4% · above quota
Mersea & Pyefleet · 1 seat · won at 69.8% · above quota
Mersea & Tiptree · 1 seat · won at 71.8% · above quota
Tiptree · 1 seat · won at 72.0% · above quota

Race results

Highwoods · single-seat

Marginal winner 35.0% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference +15.0 pts below quota Valid ballots 2,228

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Oxford G.P.	Independent	780	35.0%	Elected
2	Rowe S.J.	Conservative and Unionist Party	664	29.8%
3	Law J.E.	Labour Party	401	18.0%
4	Franks K.A.	Liberal Democrats	188	8.4%
5	Burgess C.E.	Green Party	131	5.9%
6	Baker D.	Reform UK	64	2.9%

Electorate 7,437 · Ballots cast 2,228 · EC ward code E05010830 · Back to ward index

Shrub End · single-seat

Marginal winner 37.0% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference +13.0 pts below quota Valid ballots 2,216

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Barton L.	Liberal Democrats	819	37.0%	Elected
2	Linghorn-Baker A.M.L.	Conservative and Unionist Party	783	35.3%
3	McCulloch D.	Labour Party	417	18.8%
4	Roberts B.P.	Green Party	136	6.1%
5	Johnson J.	Reform UK	61	2.8%

Electorate 8,206 · Ballots cast 2,216 · EC ward code E05010840 · Back to ward index

Castle · single-seat

Marginal winner 37.8% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference +12.2 pts below quota Valid ballots 3,005

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Nissen S.	Green Party	1,136	37.8%	Elected
2	Green F.M.A.	Conservative and Unionist Party	976	32.5%
3	Hill R.M.	Labour Party	574	19.1%
4	Gillingham M.	Liberal Democrats	319	10.6%

Electorate 8,162 · Ballots cast 3,005 · EC ward code E05010828 · Back to ward index

Wivenhoe · single-seat

Marginal winner 38.4% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference +11.6 pts below quota Valid ballots 3,241

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Burrows M.	Liberal Democrats	1,245	38.4%	Elected
2	Liddy C.P.	Labour Party	1,020	31.5%
3	Clark J.L.	Conservative and Unionist Party	496	15.3%
4	Aldis A.	Green Party	480	14.8%

Electorate 7,780 · Ballots cast 3,241 · EC ward code E05010843 · Back to ward index

Wivenhoe St. Andrew · single-seat

Marginal winner 39.3% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference +10.7 pts below quota Valid ballots 4,647

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Cory M.	Liberal Democrats	1,825	39.3%	Elected
2	Young J.	Labour Party	1,642	35.3%
3	Clark J.L.	Conservative and Unionist Party	696	15.0%
4	Aldis A.	Green Party	427	9.2%
5	Blair K.	Reform UK	57	1.2%

Electorate 16,508 · Ballots cast 4,647 · EC ward code E58000471 · Back to ward index

Mile End & Highwoods · single-seat

Marginal winner 39.9% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference +10.1 pts below quota Valid ballots 5,572

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	King D.J.	Liberal Democrats	2,221	39.9%	Elected
2	Linghorn-Baker D.E.W.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,856	33.3%
3	Law J.E.	Labour Party	946	17.0%
4	Kirke A.J.	Green Party	387	6.9%
5	Baker D.	Reform UK	162	2.9%

Electorate 17,480 · Ballots cast 5,572 · EC ward code E58000445 · Back to ward index

Prettygate · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 23.5% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +9.8 pts below quota Valid ballots 5,466

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Lissimore S.	Conservative and Unionist Party	2,136	39.1%	Elected
2	Tate L.J.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,285	23.5%	Elected
3	Loxley J.	Liberal Democrats	544	10.0%
4	Bourne R.W.	Labour Party	513	9.4%
5	Weaver V.A.	Labour Party	388	7.1%
6	Edgoose N.	Green Party	350	6.4%
7	Burgess J.E.	Green Party	250	4.6%

Electorate 8,024 · Ballots cast 5,466 · EC ward code E05010837 · Back to ward index

Parsons Heath & East Gates · single-seat

Marginal winner 41.2% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference +8.8 pts below quota Valid ballots 4,600

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Crow S.L.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,895	41.2%	Elected
2	Baker J.	Liberal Democrats	1,516	33.0%
3	Chambers A.L.	Labour Party	691	15.0%
4	Cufoglu K.	Green Party	498	10.8%

Electorate 12,942 · Ballots cast 4,600 · EC ward code E58000448 · Back to ward index

St Anne's & St John's · single-seat

Marginal winner 42.0% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference +8.0 pts below quota Valid ballots 2,956

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Hogg M.	Liberal Democrats	1,241	42.0%	Elected
2	Rowe T.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,214	41.1%
3	Chambers A.L.	Labour Party	301	10.2%
4	Nelson P.	Green Party	200	6.8%

Electorate 8,296 · Ballots cast 2,956 · EC ward code E05010839 · Back to ward index

New Town & Christ Church · single-seat

Marginal winner 43.4% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference +6.6 pts below quota Valid ballots 3,503

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Cox P.	Labour Party	1,521	43.4%	Elected
2	Hales C.E.	Conservative and Unionist Party	887	25.3%
3	Spindler C.L.	Liberal Democrats	794	22.7%
4	Brannan R.	Green Party	301	8.6%

Electorate 9,954 · Ballots cast 3,503 · EC ward code E05010835 · Back to ward index

Abbey · single-seat

Marginal winner 45.0% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference +5.0 pts below quota Valid ballots 5,686

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Scordis L.P.	Labour Party	2,556	45.0%	Elected
2	Crees P.K.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,475	25.9%
3	Nissen S.	Green Party	981	17.3%
4	Schraml P.	Liberal Democrats	585	10.3%
5	Mountstephen T.	FREE	89	1.6%

Electorate 18,738 · Ballots cast 5,686 · EC ward code E58000402 · Back to ward index

Lexden & Braiswick · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 29.6% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +3.7 pts below quota Valid ballots 5,393

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Willetts D.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,941	36.0%	Elected
2	Leatherdale M.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,597	29.6%	Elected
3	Culham S.J.	Liberal Democrats	594	11.0%
4	Bamforth R.E.	Green Party	532	9.9%
5	Hayes L.	Labour Party	396	7.3%
6	Rippingale-Shaw K.	Labour Party	333	6.2%

Electorate 7,416 · Ballots cast 5,393 · EC ward code E05010831 · Back to ward index

Stanway · single-seat

Marginal winner 46.4% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference +3.6 pts below quota Valid ballots 2,501

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Hagon J.A.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,160	46.4%	Elected
2	Williams P.	Liberal Democrats	987	39.5%
3	Brown K.	Labour Party	245	9.8%
4	McArthur J.	Green Party	109	4.4%

Electorate 7,006 · Ballots cast 2,501 · EC ward code E05010841 · Back to ward index

Maypole · single-seat

Marginal winner 49.8% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference +0.2 pts below quota Valid ballots 4,393

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Harris D.	Labour Party	2,187	49.8%	Elected
2	Piggott C.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,233	28.1%
3	Emment A.	Liberal Democrats	666	15.2%
4	Roberts B.P.	Green Party	215	4.9%
5	Johnson J.	Reform UK	92	2.1%

Electorate 15,204 · Ballots cast 4,393 · EC ward code E58000443 · Back to ward index

Stanway & Pyefleet · single-seat

Marginal winner 51.1% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −1.1 pts Valid ballots 5,875

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Bentley K.P.	Conservative and Unionist Party	3,004	51.1%	Elected
2	Scott-Boutell L.	Liberal Democrats	1,469	25.0%
3	Lilley M.	Labour Party	1,014	17.3%
4	McArthur J.	Green Party	388	6.6%

Electorate 16,536 · Ballots cast 5,875 · EC ward code E58000460 · Back to ward index

Greenstead · single-seat

Marginal winner 52.0% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −2.0 pts Valid ballots 2,111

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Young J.	Labour Party	1,097	52.0%	Elected
2	Hinton M.	Conservative and Unionist Party	600	28.4%
3	Whyborn C.	Liberal Democrats	222	10.5%
4	Cufoglu K.	Green Party	135	6.4%
5	Blair K.	Reform UK	57	2.7%

Electorate 11,010 · Ballots cast 2,111 · EC ward code E05010829 · Back to ward index

Old Heath & The Hythe · single-seat

Marginal winner 53.3% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −3.3 pts Valid ballots 2,580

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Lilley M.E.C.	Labour Party	1,376	53.3%	Elected
2	Cable R.M.	Conservative and Unionist Party	687	26.6%
3	Canessa A.L.	Green Party	282	10.9%
4	Asghar S.	Liberal Democrats	235	9.1%

Electorate 8,725 · Ballots cast 2,580 · EC ward code E05010836 · Back to ward index

Drury · single-seat

Marginal winner 56.1% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −6.1 pts Valid ballots 5,933

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Lissimore S.	Conservative and Unionist Party	3,328	56.1%	Elected
2	Bourne R.W.	Labour Party	1,263	21.3%
3	Merry I.C.	Liberal Democrats	802	13.5%
4	Edgoose N.K.	Green Party	540	9.1%

Electorate 14,244 · Ballots cast 5,933 · EC ward code E58000428 · Back to ward index

Rural North · single-seat

Marginal winner 64.5% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −14.5 pts Valid ballots 3,423

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Laws D.G.	Conservative and Unionist Party	2,207	64.5%	Elected
2	Bailey S.	Green Party	406	11.9%
3	Brown D.K.	Labour Party	367	10.7%
4	Brown W.R.	Liberal Democrats	359	10.5%
5	Phillips A.J.	Reform UK	84	2.5%

Electorate 8,563 · Ballots cast 3,423 · EC ward code E05010838 · Back to ward index

Mile End · single-seat

Marginal winner 65.3% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −15.3 pts Valid ballots 3,024

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Goss M.	Liberal Democrats	1,974	65.3%	Elected
2	Smith R.C.	Conservative and Unionist Party	583	19.3%
3	Bacon P.A.	Labour Party	328	10.8%
4	Kirke A.J.	Green Party	139	4.6%

Electorate 9,335 · Ballots cast 3,024 · EC ward code E05010834 · Back to ward index

Constable · single-seat

Marginal winner 67.1% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −17.1 pts Valid ballots 5,911

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Barber L.C.	Conservative and Unionist Party	3,965	67.1%	Elected
2	Bacon P.A.	Labour Party	707	12.0%
3	Bamforth R.E.	Green Party	613	10.4%
4	Brown W.R.	Liberal Democrats	491	8.3%
5	Phillips A.J.	Reform UK	135	2.3%

Electorate 15,031 · Ballots cast 5,911 · EC ward code E58000427 · Back to ward index

Marks Tey & Layer · single-seat

Marginal winner 67.4% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −17.4 pts Valid ballots 2,789

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Bentley K.P.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,880	67.4%	Elected
2	Spademan J.	Labour Party	323	11.6%
3	Sheridan J.A.	Green Party	231	8.3%
4	Hull M.J.	Liberal Democrats	223	8.0%
5	Gilbranch N.	Independent	132	4.7%

Electorate 8,256 · Ballots cast 2,789 · EC ward code E05010832 · Back to ward index

Berechurch · single-seat

Marginal winner 68.4% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −18.4 pts Valid ballots 2,345

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Harris D.	Labour Party	1,604	68.4%	Elected
2	Piggott C.	Conservative and Unionist Party	470	20.0%
3	Spindler M.	Liberal Democrats	193	8.2%
4	Clifton J.H.	Green Party	78	3.3%

Electorate 7,498 · Ballots cast 2,345 · EC ward code E05010827 · Back to ward index

Mersea & Pyefleet · single-seat

Marginal winner 69.8% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −19.8 pts Valid ballots 3,044

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Jowers J.G.	Conservative and Unionist Party	2,126	69.8%	Elected
2	Banks P.D.C.	Green Party	490	16.1%
3	Pey J.A.	Labour Party	272	8.9%
4	Waite S.M.	Liberal Democrats	156	5.1%

Electorate 8,143 · Ballots cast 3,044 · EC ward code E05010833 · Back to ward index

Mersea & Tiptree · single-seat

Marginal winner 71.8% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −21.8 pts Valid ballots 5,003

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Jowers J.G.	Conservative and Unionist Party	3,592	71.8%	Elected
2	Banks P.D.C.	Green Party	672	13.4%
3	Agarwal-Hollands U.	Labour Party	483	9.7%
4	Waite S.M.	Liberal Democrats	256	5.1%

Electorate 14,504 · Ballots cast 5,003 · EC ward code E58000444 · Back to ward index

Tiptree · single-seat

Marginal winner 72.0% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −22.0 pts Valid ballots 2,378

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Mannion R.J.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,713	72.0%	Elected
2	Wood J.	Labour Party	288	12.1%
3	Smee C.	Green Party	206	8.7%
4	Stevens J.A.	Liberal Democrats	171	7.2%

Electorate 7,376 · Ballots cast 2,378 · EC ward code E05010842 · Back to ward index