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

East Suffolk 2023

Local elections held 4 May 2023.

29 ward races

55 seats

45 elected below the proportional quota

81.8% 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 29 wards in this cycle, parties received the vote totals below. The proportional column shows what each party would have won if the 55 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	49,399	37.0%	15	27.3%	21	38.2%	-6
Green Party	35,804	26.8%	16	29.1%	15	27.3%	+1
Labour Party	26,279	19.7%	12	21.8%	11	20.0%	+1
Liberal Democrats	21,106	15.8%	11	20.0%	8	14.5%	+3
Independent	641	0.5%	1	1.8%	0	0.0%	+1
CPB	257	0.2%	0	0.0%	0	0.0%	0
Heritage Party	56	0.0%	0	0.0%	0	0.0%	0
Total	133,542	100.0%	55	100.0%	55	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.

Saxmundham · 1 seat · won at 34.5% · +15.5 pts below quota
Carlton Colville · 2 seats · won at 19.0% · +14.3 pts below quota
Kessingland · 1 seat · won at 37.0% · +13.0 pts below quota
Gunton & St Margarets · 2 seats · won at 22.1% · +11.2 pts below quota
Western Felixstowe · 3 seats · won at 14.1% · +10.9 pts below quota
Carlton & Whitton · 2 seats · won at 22.7% · +10.6 pts below quota
Eastern Felixstowe · 3 seats · won at 14.5% · +10.5 pts below quota
Kesgrave · 3 seats · won at 14.8% · +10.2 pts below quota
Woodbridge · 2 seats · won at 23.9% · +9.5 pts below quota
Oulton Broad · 3 seats · won at 15.8% · +9.2 pts below quota
Kirkley & Pakefield · 3 seats · won at 15.9% · +9.1 pts below quota
Carlford & Fynn Valley · 2 seats · won at 24.6% · +8.8 pts below quota
Martlesham & Purdis Farm · 2 seats · won at 25.3% · +8.1 pts below quota
Framlingham · 2 seats · won at 25.5% · +7.8 pts below quota
Aldeburgh & Leiston · 3 seats · won at 17.7% · +7.3 pts below quota
Harbour & Normanston · 3 seats · won at 19.0% · +6.0 pts below quota
Bungay & Wainford · 2 seats · won at 28.4% · +5.0 pts below quota
Beccles & Worlingham · 3 seats · won at 20.6% · +4.4 pts below quota
Orwell & Villages · 2 seats · won at 29.3% · +4.0 pts below quota
Rushmere St Andrew · 1 seat · won at 46.8% · +3.2 pts below quota
Lothingland · 1 seat · won at 47.1% · +2.9 pts below quota
Halesworth & Blything · 2 seats · won at 33.4% · above quota
Deben · 1 seat · won at 51.5% · above quota
Melton · 1 seat · won at 52.1% · above quota
Kelsale & Yoxford · 1 seat · won at 54.4% · above quota
Rendlesham & Orford · 1 seat · won at 58.1% · above quota
Wrentham, Wangford & Westleton · 1 seat · won at 59.5% · above quota
Wickham Market · 1 seat · won at 62.6% · above quota
Southwold · 1 seat · won at 72.4% · above quota

Race results

Saxmundham · single-seat

Marginal winner 34.5% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference +15.5 pts below quota Valid ballots 1,148

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Fisher, J.	Independent	396	34.5%	Elected
2	Sandbach, J.	Liberal Democrats	320	27.9%
3	Dunnett, P.	Conservative and Unionist Party	222	19.3%
4	Turner, M.	Labour Party	210	18.3%

Electorate 3,472 · Ballots cast 1,148 · Back to ward index

Carlton Colville · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 19.0% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +14.3 pts below quota Valid ballots 3,656

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Rivett, C.	Conservative and Unionist Party	787	21.5%	Elected
2	Scrancher, M.	Conservative and Unionist Party	696	19.0%	Elected
3	Robertson, A.	Liberal Democrats	658	18.0%
4	Thomas, C.	Liberal Democrats	604	16.5%
5	Newsome, C.	Labour Party	473	12.9%
6	Smith, J.	Labour Party	438	12.0%

Electorate 7,439 · Ballots cast 3,656 · Back to ward index

Kessingland · single-seat

Marginal winner 37.0% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference +13.0 pts below quota Valid ballots 1,075

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Green, A.	Labour Party	398	37.0%	Elected
2	Smith, L.	Conservative and Unionist Party	359	33.4%
3	Coxon, J.	Green Party	318	29.6%

Electorate 3,485 · Ballots cast 1,075 · Back to ward index

Gunton & St Margarets · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 22.1% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +11.2 pts below quota Valid ballots 4,335

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	King, G.	Labour Party	1,020	23.5%	Elected
2	Parker, G.	Labour Party	960	22.1%	Elected
3	Coulam, L.	Conservative and Unionist Party	933	21.5%
4	Harvey, R.	Conservative and Unionist Party	801	18.5%
5	Ballantyne, A.	Green Party	208	4.8%
6	Edmondson, K.	Green Party	198	4.6%
7	Shreeve, F.	Liberal Democrats	121	2.8%
8	Shreeve, J.	Liberal Democrats	94	2.2%

Electorate 7,626 · Ballots cast 4,335 · Back to ward index

Western Felixstowe · 3-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 14.1% Proportional quota 25.0% Difference +10.9 pts below quota Valid ballots 6,500

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Deacon, M.	Labour Party	1,204	18.5%	Elected
2	Folley, A.	Labour Party	965	14.8%	Elected
3	Smithson, R.	Labour Party	916	14.1%	Elected
4	Bird, S.	Conservative and Unionist Party	848	13.0%
5	Green, T.	Conservative and Unionist Party	829	12.8%
6	Bain, S.	Conservative and Unionist Party	815	12.5%
7	Keyworth, R.	Green Party	456	7.0%
8	Thody, A.	Green Party	364	5.6%
9	Jones, M.	CPB	103	1.6%

Electorate 8,759 · Ballots cast 6,500 · Back to ward index

Carlton & Whitton · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 22.7% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +10.6 pts below quota Valid ballots 3,869

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Starling, J.	Conservative and Unionist Party	904	23.4%	Elected
2	Ceresa, J.	Conservative and Unionist Party	879	22.7%	Elected
3	Barker, S.	Labour Party	769	19.9%
4	Barker, C.	Labour Party	758	19.6%
5	Hammond, A.	Green Party	191	4.9%
6	Keates, D.	Green Party	143	3.7%
7	Mercer, J.	Liberal Democrats	135	3.5%
8	O'Neill, D.	Liberal Democrats	90	2.3%

Electorate 7,802 · Ballots cast 3,869 · Back to ward index

Eastern Felixstowe · 3-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 14.5% Proportional quota 25.0% Difference +10.5 pts below quota Valid ballots 11,881

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Bennett, S.	Liberal Democrats	2,288	19.3%	Elected
2	Candy, J.	Liberal Democrats	1,838	15.5%	Elected
3	Jepson, M.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,722	14.5%	Elected
4	Wiles, S.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,676	14.1%
5	Underwood, D.	Liberal Democrats	1,567	13.2%
6	Malster, A.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,521	12.8%
7	Rowe, D.	Labour Party	1,115	9.4%
8	Babbington, H.	CPB	154	1.3%

Electorate 10,638 · Ballots cast 11,881 · Back to ward index

Kesgrave · 3-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 14.8% Proportional quota 25.0% Difference +10.2 pts below quota Valid ballots 8,532

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	McCallum, D.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,958	22.9%	Elected
2	Lawson, S.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,367	16.0%	Elected
3	Lynch, G.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,261	14.8%	Elected
4	Clements, B.	Liberal Democrats	1,207	14.1%
5	Bensley, L.	Labour Party	972	11.4%
6	Burcon, M.	Green Party	905	10.6%
7	Neal, S.	Liberal Democrats	862	10.1%

Electorate 11,161 · Ballots cast 8,532 · Back to ward index

Woodbridge · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 23.9% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +9.5 pts below quota Valid ballots 5,109

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Molyneux, S.	Green Party	1,404	27.5%	Elected
2	Yule, K.	Liberal Democrats	1,220	23.9%	Elected
3	Richards, P.	Labour Party	864	16.9%
4	Holdcroft, G.	Conservative and Unionist Party	845	16.5%
5	Attwell, S.	Conservative and Unionist Party	776	15.2%

Electorate 6,398 · Ballots cast 5,109 · Back to ward index

Oulton Broad · 3-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 15.8% Proportional quota 25.0% Difference +9.2 pts below quota Valid ballots 8,240

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Back, E.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,403	17.0%	Elected
2	Robinson, K.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,329	16.1%	Elected
3	Gee, A.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,304	15.8%	Elected
4	Groome, B.	Labour Party	989	12.0%
5	Jones, J.	Labour Party	985	12.0%
6	Page, P.	Labour Party	886	10.8%
7	Eastaugh, A.	Green Party	321	3.9%
8	Steward, S.	Green Party	295	3.6%
9	Timberlake, J.	Green Party	286	3.5%
10	MacDowall, S.	Liberal Democrats	163	2.0%
11	Turner, A.	Liberal Democrats	142	1.7%
12	Sutton-Day, T.	Liberal Democrats	137	1.7%

Electorate 10,852 · Ballots cast 8,240 · Back to ward index

Kirkley & Pakefield · 3-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 15.9% Proportional quota 25.0% Difference +9.1 pts below quota Valid ballots 7,787

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Gooch, L.	Labour Party	1,422	18.3%	Elected
2	Byatt, P.	Labour Party	1,421	18.2%	Elected
3	Pitchers, M.	Labour Party	1,239	15.9%	Elected
4	Bromley, D.	Conservative and Unionist Party	866	11.1%
5	Ford, J.	Conservative and Unionist Party	848	10.9%
6	Bowry, J.	Conservative and Unionist Party	788	10.1%
7	Abbott, A.	Green Party	474	6.1%
8	Barnes, A.	Green Party	406	5.2%
9	Hart, C.	Green Party	323	4.1%

Electorate 10,441 · Ballots cast 7,787 · Back to ward index

Carlford & Fynn Valley · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 24.6% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +8.8 pts below quota Valid ballots 5,180

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Clery, D.	Green Party	1,388	26.8%	Elected
2	Hedgley, C.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,272	24.6%	Elected
3	Hiley, N.	Green Party	1,263	24.4%
4	Coupe, B.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,257	24.3%

Electorate 6,745 · Ballots cast 5,180 · Back to ward index

Martlesham & Purdis Farm · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 25.3% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +8.1 pts below quota Valid ballots 4,329

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Thompson, E.	Liberal Democrats	1,229	28.4%	Elected
2	Packard, M.	Liberal Democrats	1,094	25.3%	Elected
3	Blundell, C.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,076	24.9%
4	Jenkinson, G.	Conservative and Unionist Party	930	21.5%

Electorate 6,121 · Ballots cast 4,329 · Back to ward index

Framlingham · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 25.5% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +7.8 pts below quota Valid ballots 5,032

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Langdon-Morris, V.	Green Party	1,652	32.8%	Elected
2	Grey, O.	Liberal Democrats	1,283	25.5%	Elected
3	Faulkner, T.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,051	20.9%
4	Cook, M.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,046	20.8%

Electorate 6,961 · Ballots cast 5,032 · Back to ward index

Aldeburgh & Leiston · 3-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 17.7% Proportional quota 25.0% Difference +7.3 pts below quota Valid ballots 10,700

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Daly, T.	Green Party	2,086	19.5%	Elected
2	Graham, K.	Green Party	1,961	18.3%	Elected
3	Whitelock, S.	Green Party	1,896	17.7%	Elected
4	Bond, J.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,275	11.9%
5	Cooper, T.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,233	11.5%
6	Reid, A.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,089	10.2%
7	Grugeon, D.	Labour Party	599	5.6%
8	Breach, R.	Labour Party	561	5.2%

Electorate 9,876 · Ballots cast 10,700 · Back to ward index

Harbour & Normanston · 3-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 19.0% Proportional quota 25.0% Difference +6.0 pts below quota Valid ballots 5,726

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Craig, J.	Labour Party	1,117	19.5%	Elected
2	Patience, K.	Labour Party	1,109	19.4%	Elected
3	Gandy, T.	Labour Party	1,088	19.0%	Elected
4	Coulam, D.	Conservative and Unionist Party	560	9.8%
5	Law, D.	Conservative and Unionist Party	516	9.0%
6	Rule, V.	Conservative and Unionist Party	473	8.3%
7	Eastaugh, A.	Green Party	309	5.4%
8	Love, P.	Green Party	282	4.9%
9	Ray, D.	Green Party	272	4.8%

Electorate 11,176 · Ballots cast 5,726 · Back to ward index

Bungay & Wainford · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 28.4% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +5.0 pts below quota Valid ballots 5,531

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Hammond, T.	Green Party	1,682	30.4%	Elected
2	Speca, A.	Green Party	1,569	28.4%	Elected
3	Cloke, J.	Conservative and Unionist Party	812	14.7%
4	Bee, M.	Conservative and Unionist Party	776	14.0%
5	Mobbs, T.	Labour Party	294	5.3%
6	Sadler, C.	Labour Party	229	4.1%
7	Carlile, N.	Independent	169	3.1%

Electorate 6,868 · Ballots cast 5,531 · Back to ward index

Beccles & Worlingham · 3-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 20.6% Proportional quota 25.0% Difference +4.4 pts below quota Valid ballots 11,978

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Topping, C.	Green Party	2,792	23.3%	Elected
2	Plummer, S.	Green Party	2,673	22.3%	Elected
3	Rumble, S.	Green Party	2,471	20.6%	Elected
4	Mortimer, T.	Conservative and Unionist Party	851	7.1%
5	Reader, B.	Conservative and Unionist Party	806	6.7%
6	Reader, M.	Conservative and Unionist Party	784	6.5%
7	Hunt, S.	Labour Party	583	4.9%
8	Lahin, T.	Labour Party	531	4.4%
9	Burgess, T.	Labour Party	487	4.1%

Electorate 11,768 · Ballots cast 11,978 · Back to ward index

Orwell & Villages · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 29.3% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +4.0 pts below quota Valid ballots 5,090

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Ninnmey, M.	Liberal Democrats	1,736	34.1%	Elected
2	Reeves, L.	Liberal Democrats	1,492	29.3%	Elected
3	Richardson, M.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,004	19.7%
4	Mulcahy, P.	Conservative and Unionist Party	858	16.9%

Electorate 7,730 · Ballots cast 5,090 · Back to ward index

Rushmere St Andrew · single-seat

Marginal winner 46.8% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference +3.2 pts below quota Valid ballots 1,243

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Dean, D.	Conservative and Unionist Party	582	46.8%	Elected
2	Dick, A.	Labour Party	405	32.6%
3	Belfield, S.	Green Party	256	20.6%

Electorate 3,539 · Ballots cast 1,243 · Back to ward index

Lothingland · single-seat

Marginal winner 47.1% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference +2.9 pts below quota Valid ballots 922

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Ashdown, P.	Conservative and Unionist Party	434	47.1%	Elected
2	Leveritt, T.	Labour Party	318	34.5%
3	Brambley, R.	Green Party	111	12.0%
4	Groome, S.	Liberal Democrats	59	6.4%

Electorate 2,926 · Ballots cast 922 · Back to ward index

Halesworth & Blything · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 33.4% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference 0.0 pts Valid ballots 5,101

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Keys-Holloway, B.	Green Party	1,756	34.4%	Elected
2	Wakeling, G.	Green Party	1,702	33.4%	Elected
3	Cackett, A.	Conservative and Unionist Party	760	14.9%
4	Catchpole, G.	Conservative and Unionist Party	629	12.3%
5	Murray, J.	Labour Party	254	5.0%

Electorate 6,647 · Ballots cast 5,101 · Back to ward index

Deben · single-seat

Marginal winner 51.5% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −1.5 pts Valid ballots 1,502

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Mallinder, J.	Conservative and Unionist Party	773	51.5%	Elected
2	Noble, R.	Green Party	729	48.5%

Electorate 3,742 · Ballots cast 1,502 · Back to ward index

Melton · single-seat

Marginal winner 52.1% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −2.1 pts Valid ballots 1,709

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Smith-Lyte, R.	Green Party	890	52.1%	Elected
2	Porter, A.	Conservative and Unionist Party	641	37.5%
3	Bicknell, K.	Labour Party	178	10.4%

Electorate 3,594 · Ballots cast 1,709 · Back to ward index

Kelsale & Yoxford · single-seat

Marginal winner 54.4% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −4.4 pts Valid ballots 1,382

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Ewart, J.	Liberal Democrats	752	54.4%	Elected
2	Nicoll, A.	Conservative and Unionist Party	356	25.8%
3	Clark, J.	Labour Party	274	19.8%

Electorate 3,179 · Ballots cast 1,382 · Back to ward index

Rendlesham & Orford · single-seat

Marginal winner 58.1% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −8.1 pts Valid ballots 1,448

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Wilson, T.	Green Party	842	58.1%	Elected
2	Herring, R.	Conservative and Unionist Party	550	38.0%
3	Foxton, M.	Heritage Party	56	3.9%

Electorate 3,841 · Ballots cast 1,448 · Back to ward index

Wrentham, Wangford & Westleton · single-seat

Marginal winner 59.5% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −9.5 pts Valid ballots 1,502

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Ashton, P.	Liberal Democrats	893	59.5%	Elected
2	Brooks, N.	Conservative and Unionist Party	448	29.8%
3	Murray, J.	Labour Party	161	10.7%

Electorate 3,428 · Ballots cast 1,502 · Back to ward index

Wickham Market · single-seat

Marginal winner 62.6% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −12.6 pts Valid ballots 1,485

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Noble, S.	Green Party	930	62.6%	Elected
2	Poulter, C.	Conservative and Unionist Party	555	37.4%

Electorate 3,895 · Ballots cast 1,485 · Back to ward index

Southwold · single-seat

Marginal winner 72.4% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −22.4 pts Valid ballots 1,550

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Beavan, D.	Liberal Democrats	1,122	72.4%	Elected
2	Goldson, T.	Conservative and Unionist Party	265	17.1%
3	Stansfeld, S.	Labour Party	87	5.6%
4	Cross, K.	Independent	76	4.9%

Electorate 3,221 · Ballots cast 1,550 · Back to ward index