← East Devon (all cycles) · 4 May 2023 cohort

East Devon 2023

Local elections held 4 May 2023.

30 ward races

60 seats

38 elected below the proportional quota

63.3% 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 30 wards in this cycle, parties received the vote totals below. The proportional column shows what each party would have won if the 60 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	28,679	35.0%	17	28.3%	22	36.7%	-5
Liberal Democrats	23,378	28.5%	18	30.0%	17	28.3%	+1
Independent	21,081	25.7%	19	31.7%	16	26.7%	+3
Labour Party	4,330	5.3%	3	5.0%	3	5.0%	0
Green Party	3,898	4.8%	2	3.3%	2	3.3%	0
The Liberal Party	534	0.7%	1	1.7%	0	0.0%	+1
Heritage Party	57	0.1%	0	0.0%	0	0.0%	0
Total	81,957	100.0%	60	100.0%	60	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.

Budleigh & Raleigh · 3 seats · won at 13.7% · +11.3 pts below quota
Honiton St Michael's · 3 seats · won at 14.1% · +10.9 pts below quota
Exmouth Brixington · 3 seats · won at 14.3% · +10.7 pts below quota
Ottery St Mary · 3 seats · won at 14.7% · +10.3 pts below quota
Woodbury & Lympstone · 2 seats · won at 23.2% · +10.2 pts below quota
Axminster · 3 seats · won at 15.2% · +9.8 pts below quota
Honiton St Paul's · 2 seats · won at 24.4% · +8.9 pts below quota
Broadclyst · 3 seats · won at 16.6% · +8.4 pts below quota
Exmouth Littleham · 3 seats · won at 17.1% · +7.9 pts below quota
Cranbrook · 3 seats · won at 17.8% · +7.2 pts below quota
Exmouth Withycombe Raleigh · 2 seats · won at 26.2% · +7.1 pts below quota
Seaton · 3 seats · won at 18.3% · +6.7 pts below quota
Sidmouth Town · 2 seats · won at 27.1% · +6.3 pts below quota
Exmouth Halsdon · 3 seats · won at 19.2% · +5.8 pts below quota
Dunkeswell & Otterhead · 2 seats · won at 32.2% · +1.1 pts below quota
Newbridges · 1 seat · won at 49.7% · +0.3 pts below quota
Sidmouth Sidford · 3 seats · won at 24.9% · +0.1 pts below quota
Feniton · 1 seat · won at 50.6% · above quota
Whimple & Rockbeare · 1 seat · won at 51.0% · above quota
Exmouth Town · 3 seats · won at 26.5% · above quota
Coly Valley · 2 seats · won at 35.6% · above quota
Yarty · 1 seat · won at 52.3% · above quota
Clyst Valley · 1 seat · won at 53.3% · above quota
Trinity · 1 seat · won at 53.7% · above quota
Beer & Branscombe · 1 seat · won at 56.9% · above quota
Tale Vale · 1 seat · won at 59.8% · above quota
Exe Valley · 1 seat · won at 70.5% · above quota
Sidmouth Rural · 1 seat · won at 73.0% · above quota
West Hill & Aylesbeare · 1 seat · won at 79.0% · above quota
Newton Poppleford & Harpford · 1 seat · won at 82.1% · above quota

Race results

Budleigh & Raleigh · 3-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 13.7% Proportional quota 25.0% Difference +11.3 pts below quota Valid ballots 7,855

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Fitzgerald, C.	Independent	1,174	14.9%	Elected
2	Riddell, H.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,086	13.8%	Elected
3	Martin, M.	Independent	1,076	13.7%	Elected
4	Hayman, P.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,046	13.3%
5	Cunningham, C.	Liberal Democrats	882	11.2%
6	Falby, J.	Liberal Democrats	878	11.2%
7	Lewis, P.	Liberal Democrats	865	11.0%
8	Walsh, D.	Conservative and Unionist Party	848	10.8%

Electorate 6,491 · Ballots cast 7,855 · Back to ward index

Honiton St Michael's · 3-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 14.1% Proportional quota 25.0% Difference +10.9 pts below quota Valid ballots 3,775

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Brown, J.	Conservative and Unionist Party	708	18.8%	Elected
2	Bonetta, V.	Labour Party	598	15.8%	Elected
3	Collins, R.	The Liberal Party	534	14.1%	Elected
4	Cornelius, B.	Conservative and Unionist Party	531	14.1%
5	Carter, P.	Conservative and Unionist Party	508	13.5%
6	Fotheringham, J.	Independent	477	12.6%
7	Ingham, N.	Independent	419	11.1%

Electorate 5,558 · Ballots cast 3,775 · Back to ward index

Exmouth Brixington · 3-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 14.3% Proportional quota 25.0% Difference +10.7 pts below quota Valid ballots 4,630

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Chapman, M.	Conservative and Unionist Party	734	15.9%	Elected
2	Caygill, F.	Conservative and Unionist Party	673	14.5%	Elected
3	Nicholas, C.	Conservative and Unionist Party	662	14.3%	Elected
4	Colman, A.	Liberal Democrats	579	12.5%
5	Wickenden, J.	Labour Party	559	12.1%
6	Bailey, A.	Independent	518	11.2%
7	Kirvan, I.	Independent	471	10.2%
8	Marrett, M.	Green Party	434	9.4%

Electorate 6,143 · Ballots cast 4,630 · Back to ward index

Ottery St Mary · 3-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 14.7% Proportional quota 25.0% Difference +10.3 pts below quota Valid ballots 5,404

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Johns, V.	Independent	1,565	29.0%	Elected
2	Faithfull, P.	Independent	944	17.5%	Elected
3	Collins, B.	Labour Party	794	14.7%	Elected
4	Aylward, J.	Liberal Democrats	771	14.3%
5	Woolnough, G.	Liberal Democrats	556	10.3%
6	Hobson, C.	Conservative and Unionist Party	429	7.9%
7	Islam, M.	Conservative and Unionist Party	192	3.6%
8	Islam, M.	Conservative and Unionist Party	153	2.8%

Electorate 6,148 · Ballots cast 5,404 · Back to ward index

Woodbury & Lympstone · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 23.2% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +10.2 pts below quota Valid ballots 3,127

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Jung, G.	Liberal Democrats	929	29.7%	Elected
2	Ingham, B.	Conservative and Unionist Party	724	23.2%	Elected
3	McGauley, C.	Conservative and Unionist Party	622	19.9%
4	Taylor, A.	Green Party	566	18.1%
5	Ford, A.	Independent	286	9.1%

Electorate 4,221 · Ballots cast 3,127 · Back to ward index

Axminster · 3-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 15.2% Proportional quota 25.0% Difference +9.8 pts below quota Valid ballots 5,868

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Hayward, P.	Independent	1,219	20.8%	Elected
2	Jackson, S.	Independent	1,065	18.1%	Elected
3	Smith, S.	Independent	893	15.2%	Elected
4	Hall, I.	Conservative and Unionist Party	801	13.7%
5	Holt, S.	Conservative and Unionist Party	544	9.3%
6	Jordan, G.	Liberal Democrats	531	9.0%
7	Willey, D.	Conservative and Unionist Party	420	7.2%
8	Walden, J.	Labour Party	395	6.7%

Electorate 6,352 · Ballots cast 5,868 · Back to ward index

Honiton St Paul's · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 24.4% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +8.9 pts below quota Valid ballots 1,885

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	McCollum, T.	Independent	642	34.1%	Elected
2	O'Leary, J.	Conservative and Unionist Party	460	24.4%	Elected
3	Pearsall, A.	Conservative and Unionist Party	454	24.1%
4	Taylor, J.	Independent	329	17.5%

Electorate 3,825 · Ballots cast 1,885 · Back to ward index

Broadclyst · 3-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 16.6% Proportional quota 25.0% Difference +8.4 pts below quota Valid ballots 4,147

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Chamberlain, S.	Liberal Democrats	711	17.1%	Elected
2	Fernley, P.	Green Party	700	16.9%	Elected
3	Rylance, E.	Liberal Democrats	689	16.6%	Elected
4	Jones, K.	Liberal Democrats	661	15.9%
5	Chanot, J.	Independent	482	11.6%
6	Trudgeon, C.	Conservative and Unionist Party	474	11.4%
7	Bickers, K.	Conservative and Unionist Party	430	10.4%

Electorate 5,848 · Ballots cast 4,147 · Back to ward index

Exmouth Littleham · 3-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 17.1% Proportional quota 25.0% Difference +7.9 pts below quota Valid ballots 5,775

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Hall, A.	Liberal Democrats	1,144	19.8%	Elected
2	Hookway, N.	Liberal Democrats	1,075	18.6%	Elected
3	Bailey, B.	Conservative and Unionist Party	986	17.1%	Elected
4	Kerr, O.	Conservative and Unionist Party	952	16.5%
5	Poor, D.	Liberal Democrats	834	14.4%
6	Rosser, M.	Green Party	784	13.6%

Electorate 6,735 · Ballots cast 5,775 · Back to ward index

Cranbrook · 3-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 17.8% Proportional quota 25.0% Difference +7.2 pts below quota Valid ballots 2,580

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Bloxham, K.	Independent	614	23.8%	Elected
2	Blakey, K.	Independent	521	20.2%	Elected
3	Hawkins, S.	Independent	458	17.8%	Elected
4	Wilton, V.	Independent	424	16.4%
5	Lipscombe, R.	Liberal Democrats	246	9.5%
6	Rogers, B.	Conservative and Unionist Party	137	5.3%
7	Croft, A.	Conservative and Unionist Party	123	4.8%
8	Goudie, L.	Heritage Party	57	2.2%

Electorate 4,717 · Ballots cast 2,580 · Back to ward index

Exmouth Withycombe Raleigh · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 26.2% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +7.1 pts below quota Valid ballots 1,649

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Gazzard, S.	Liberal Democrats	521	31.6%	Elected
2	Hall, M.	Liberal Democrats	432	26.2%	Elected
3	Donald, J.	Conservative and Unionist Party	242	14.7%
4	Woodward, A.	Labour Party	236	14.3%
5	Richards, B.	Conservative and Unionist Party	218	13.2%

Electorate 3,582 · Ballots cast 1,649 · Back to ward index

Seaton · 3-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 18.3% Proportional quota 25.0% Difference +6.7 pts below quota Valid ballots 4,693

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Ledger, D.	Independent	1,404	29.9%	Elected
2	Hartnell, M.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,167	24.9%	Elected
3	Haggerty, D.	Conservative and Unionist Party	858	18.3%	Elected
4	Hunt, S.	Liberal Democrats	770	16.4%
5	Marshall, H.	Labour Party	494	10.5%

Electorate 5,908 · Ballots cast 4,693 · Back to ward index

Sidmouth Town · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 27.1% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +6.3 pts below quota Valid ballots 2,996

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Barlow, I.	Independent	994	33.2%	Elected
2	Richards, S.	Conservative and Unionist Party	811	27.1%	Elected
3	Bickley, D.	Independent	785	26.2%
4	Zarczynski, J.	Conservative and Unionist Party	406	13.6%

Electorate 3,809 · Ballots cast 2,996 · Back to ward index

Exmouth Halsdon · 3-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 19.2% Proportional quota 25.0% Difference +5.8 pts below quota Valid ballots 4,360

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Dumper, T.	Liberal Democrats	1,099	25.2%	Elected
2	Toye, A.	Liberal Democrats	964	22.1%	Elected
3	Wilson, D.	Labour Party	839	19.2%	Elected
4	Stott, P.	Conservative and Unionist Party	820	18.8%
5	Parr, R.	Conservative and Unionist Party	638	14.6%

Electorate 5,963 · Ballots cast 4,360 · Back to ward index

Dunkeswell & Otterhead · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 32.2% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +1.1 pts below quota Valid ballots 2,300

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Levine, Y.	Liberal Democrats	758	33.0%	Elected
2	Brown, C.	Conservative and Unionist Party	741	32.2%	Elected
3	Burford, G.	Independent	370	16.1%
4	Tucker, O.	Labour Party	322	14.0%
5	Morgan, I.	Conservative and Unionist Party	109	4.7%

Electorate 4,499 · Ballots cast 2,300 · Back to ward index

Newbridges · single-seat

Marginal winner 49.7% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference +0.3 pts below quota Valid ballots 851

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Chubb, I.	Conservative and Unionist Party	423	49.7%	Elected
2	Dower, V.	Liberal Democrats	335	39.4%
3	Douglas, C.	Labour Party	93	10.9%

Electorate 2,082 · Ballots cast 851 · Back to ward index

Sidmouth Sidford · 3-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 24.9% Proportional quota 25.0% Difference +0.1 pts below quota Valid ballots 4,782

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Rixson, M.	Liberal Democrats	1,256	26.3%	Elected
2	Hughes, S.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,216	25.4%	Elected
3	Goodman, M.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,191	24.9%	Elected
4	Garner, L.	Liberal Democrats	1,119	23.4%

Electorate 6,378 · Ballots cast 4,782 · Back to ward index

Feniton · single-seat

Marginal winner 50.6% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −0.6 pts Valid ballots 710

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Bruce, A.	Conservative and Unionist Party	359	50.6%	Elected
2	Collins, J.	Green Party	351	49.4%

Electorate 2,256 · Ballots cast 710 · Back to ward index

Whimple & Rockbeare · single-seat

Marginal winner 51.0% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −1.0 pts Valid ballots 862

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Olive, T.	Liberal Democrats	440	51.0%	Elected
2	Lawrence, R.	Conservative and Unionist Party	422	49.0%

Electorate 2,189 · Ballots cast 862 · Back to ward index

Exmouth Town · 3-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 26.5% Proportional quota 25.0% Difference −1.5 pts Valid ballots 3,674

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Whibley, J.	Independent	1,043	28.4%	Elected
2	Davey, O.	Green Party	988	26.9%	Elected
3	Wragg, E.	Liberal Democrats	974	26.5%	Elected
4	Nancekievill, D.	Conservative and Unionist Party	338	9.2%
5	Wills, S.	Conservative and Unionist Party	331	9.0%

Electorate 5,681 · Ballots cast 3,674 · Back to ward index

Coly Valley · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 35.6% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference −2.3 pts Valid ballots 2,371

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Arnott, P.	Liberal Democrats	959	40.4%	Elected
2	Parr, H.	Conservative and Unionist Party	845	35.6%	Elected
3	Tristram, J.	Conservative and Unionist Party	567	23.9%

Electorate 3,924 · Ballots cast 2,371 · Back to ward index

Yarty · single-seat

Marginal winner 52.3% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −2.3 pts Valid ballots 845

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	MacKinder, D.	Liberal Democrats	442	52.3%	Elected
2	Norman, R.	Conservative and Unionist Party	328	38.8%
3	Staddon, D.	Green Party	75	8.9%

Electorate 2,137 · Ballots cast 845 · Back to ward index

Clyst Valley · single-seat

Marginal winner 53.3% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −3.3 pts Valid ballots 677

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Howe, M.	Independent	361	53.3%	Elected
2	French, W.	Conservative and Unionist Party	182	26.9%
3	Lock, A.	Liberal Democrats	134	19.8%

Electorate 1,896 · Ballots cast 677 · Back to ward index

Trinity · single-seat

Marginal winner 53.7% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −3.7 pts Valid ballots 953

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Westerman, S.	Liberal Democrats	512	53.7%	Elected
2	Turner, A.	Conservative and Unionist Party	441	46.3%

Electorate 2,187 · Ballots cast 953 · Back to ward index

Beer & Branscombe · single-seat

Marginal winner 56.9% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −6.9 pts Valid ballots 757

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Heath, J.	Independent	431	56.9%	Elected
2	Hall, M.	Conservative and Unionist Party	170	22.5%
3	Burrows, P.	Liberal Democrats	156	20.6%

Electorate 2,108 · Ballots cast 757 · Back to ward index

Tale Vale · single-seat

Marginal winner 59.8% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −9.8 pts Valid ballots 1,048

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Jeffries, R.	Liberal Democrats	627	59.8%	Elected
2	Skinner, P.	Conservative and Unionist Party	421	40.2%

Electorate 2,174 · Ballots cast 1,048 · Back to ward index

Exe Valley · single-seat

Marginal winner 70.5% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −20.5 pts Valid ballots 674

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Kemp, J.	Liberal Democrats	475	70.5%	Elected
2	Wraight, K.	Conservative and Unionist Party	199	29.5%

Electorate 1,912 · Ballots cast 674 · Back to ward index

Sidmouth Rural · single-seat

Marginal winner 73.0% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −23.0 pts Valid ballots 803

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Loudoun, J.	Independent	586	73.0%	Elected
2	Richards, C.	Conservative and Unionist Party	217	27.0%

Electorate 1,905 · Ballots cast 803 · Back to ward index

West Hill & Aylesbeare · single-seat

Marginal winner 79.0% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −29.0 pts Valid ballots 1,135

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Bailey, J.	Independent	897	79.0%	Elected
2	Richardson, A.	Conservative and Unionist Party	184	16.2%
3	Fairbairn, I.	Liberal Democrats	54	4.8%

Electorate 2,211 · Ballots cast 1,135 · Back to ward index

Newton Poppleford & Harpford · single-seat

Marginal winner 82.1% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −32.1 pts Valid ballots 771

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Burhop, C.	Independent	633	82.1%	Elected
2	Harrison, J.	Conservative and Unionist Party	138	17.9%

Electorate 1,815 · Ballots cast 771 · Back to ward index