← Plymouth (all cycles) · 4 May 2023 cohort

Plymouth 2023

Local elections held 4 May 2023.

19 ward races

19 seats

10 elected below the proportional quota

52.6% 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 19 wards in this cycle, parties received the vote totals below. The proportional column shows what each party would have won if the 19 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	27,616	45.3%	15	78.9%	10	52.6%	+5
Conservative and Unionist Party	15,242	25.0%	1	5.3%	5	26.3%	-4
Independent	7,647	12.6%	3	15.8%	2	10.5%	+1
Green Party	5,195	8.5%	0	0.0%	1	5.3%	-1
Liberal Democrats	3,349	5.5%	0	0.0%	1	5.3%	-1
Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition	882	1.4%	0	0.0%	0	0.0%	0
CH 4 PLYM	584	1.0%	0	0.0%	0	0.0%	0
Reform UK	269	0.4%	0	0.0%	0	0.0%	0
Heritage Party	139	0.2%	0	0.0%	0	0.0%	0
Total	60,923	100.0%	19	100.0%	19	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.

Plymstock Radford · 1 seat · won at 35.5% · +14.5 pts below quota
St. Budeaux · 1 seat · won at 37.2% · +12.8 pts below quota
Compton · 1 seat · won at 43.1% · +6.9 pts below quota
Budshead · 1 seat · won at 44.6% · +5.4 pts below quota
Eggbuckland · 1 seat · won at 44.9% · +5.1 pts below quota
Southway · 1 seat · won at 45.0% · +5.0 pts below quota
Moor View · 1 seat · won at 45.9% · +4.1 pts below quota
Ham · 1 seat · won at 47.3% · +2.7 pts below quota
St. Peter & the Waterfront · 1 seat · won at 48.0% · +2.0 pts below quota
Drake · 1 seat · won at 48.8% · +1.2 pts below quota
Plymstock Dunstone · 1 seat · won at 50.7% · above quota
Plympton St. Mary · 1 seat · won at 50.7% · above quota
Plympton Erle · 1 seat · won at 51.1% · above quota
Peverell · 1 seat · won at 52.5% · above quota
Honicknowle · 1 seat · won at 58.6% · above quota
Sutton & Mount Gould · 1 seat · won at 58.6% · above quota
Efford & Lipson · 1 seat · won at 58.9% · above quota
Stoke · 1 seat · won at 61.8% · above quota
Devonport · 1 seat · won at 62.1% · above quota

Race results

Plymstock Radford · single-seat

Marginal winner 35.5% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference +14.5 pts below quota Valid ballots 3,890

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Watkin, K.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,381	35.5%	Elected
2	Dodd, R.	Labour Party	1,150	29.6%
3	Wheeler, J.	Independent	486	12.5%
4	Dyson, J.	Green Party	379	9.7%
5	Stoneman, N.	Independent	247	6.3%
6	Plumley, R.	Liberal Democrats	234	6.0%
7	Wright, M.	Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition	13	0.3%

Electorate 11,221 · Ballots cast 3,890 · Back to ward index

St. Budeaux · single-seat

Marginal winner 37.2% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference +12.8 pts below quota Valid ballots 2,701

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Dingle, J.	Labour Party	1,006	37.2%	Elected
2	Wheeler, G.	Green Party	714	26.4%
3	Lewis, K.	Conservative and Unionist Party	614	22.7%
4	Lewis, G.	Independent	147	5.4%
5	Deans, T.	Independent	127	4.7%
6	Goldthorp, S.	Liberal Democrats	72	2.7%
7	Moore, L.	Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition	21	0.8%

Electorate 9,567 · Ballots cast 2,701 · Back to ward index

Compton · single-seat

Marginal winner 43.1% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference +6.9 pts below quota Valid ballots 3,777

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Penrose, A.	Labour Party	1,627	43.1%	Elected
2	Wood, C.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,207	32.0%
3	Kelly, N.	Independent	445	11.8%
4	Flavell, E.	Green Party	269	7.1%
5	Bray, R.	Liberal Democrats	185	4.9%
6	Hey, S.	Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition	44	1.2%

Electorate 9,493 · Ballots cast 3,777 · Back to ward index

Budshead · single-seat

Marginal winner 44.6% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference +5.4 pts below quota Valid ballots 2,976

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Sproston, K.	Labour Party	1,328	44.6%	Elected
2	Drean, J.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,177	39.5%
3	Spencer, J.	Liberal Democrats	234	7.9%
4	Bennett, C.	Green Party	183	6.1%
5	Brookson, N.	Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition	54	1.8%

Electorate 9,913 · Ballots cast 2,976 · Back to ward index

Eggbuckland · single-seat

Marginal winner 44.9% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference +5.1 pts below quota Valid ballots 3,385

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Blight, T.	Labour Party	1,520	44.9%	Elected
2	Churchill, N.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,125	33.2%
3	Draper, D.	Liberal Democrats	383	11.3%
4	Jones, C.	Green Party	208	6.1%
5	Crow, W.	Heritage Party	120	3.5%
6	Prentice, N.	Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition	29	0.9%

Electorate 10,085 · Ballots cast 3,385 · Back to ward index

Southway · single-seat

Marginal winner 45.0% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference +5.0 pts below quota Valid ballots 3,025

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Lowry, M.	Labour Party	1,361	45.0%	Elected
2	Deacon, M.	Conservative and Unionist Party	884	29.2%
3	Quick, E.	CH 4 PLYM	427	14.1%
4	Southby, C.	Green Party	171	5.7%
5	McManus, K.	Liberal Democrats	142	4.7%
6	Bligh, A.	Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition	40	1.3%

Electorate 10,216 · Ballots cast 3,025 · Back to ward index

Moor View · single-seat

Marginal winner 45.9% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference +4.1 pts below quota Valid ballots 3,368

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Gilmour, L.	Labour Party	1,545	45.9%	Elected
2	Johnson, A.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,138	33.8%
3	Bamping, D.	Independent	254	7.5%
4	Hartkopf, F.	Green Party	151	4.5%
5	MacKenzie, C.	Liberal Democrats	149	4.4%
6	Watson, A.	Independent	109	3.2%
7	White, A.	Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition	22	0.7%

Electorate 10,236 · Ballots cast 3,368 · Back to ward index

Ham · single-seat

Marginal winner 47.3% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference +2.7 pts below quota Valid ballots 2,936

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Evans, T.	Labour Party	1,390	47.3%	Elected
2	Carson, C.	Conservative and Unionist Party	569	19.4%
3	Singh, C.	Independent	509	17.3%
4	Alderton, L.	Green Party	167	5.7%
5	Bonar, S.	Liberal Democrats	164	5.6%
6	Casey, A.	Independent	59	2.0%
7	Kerswell, A.	Independent	58	2.0%
8	Holden, K.	Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition	20	0.7%

Electorate 10,751 · Ballots cast 2,936 · Back to ward index

St. Peter & the Waterfront · single-seat

Marginal winner 48.0% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference +2.0 pts below quota Valid ballots 3,520

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Penberthy, C.	Labour Party	1,689	48.0%	Elected
2	Fleming, I.	Conservative and Unionist Party	641	18.2%
3	Newham-Joynes, S.	Green Party	373	10.6%
4	Janes, H.	Liberal Democrats	244	6.9%
5	Denslow, D.	Independent	160	4.5%
6	Bowles, D.	CH 4 PLYM	157	4.5%
7	Gibbons, A.	Reform UK	152	4.3%
8	Aldred, R.	Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition	104	3.0%

Electorate 12,759 · Ballots cast 3,520 · Back to ward index

Drake · single-seat

Marginal winner 48.8% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference +1.2 pts below quota Valid ballots 2,100

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Ricketts, S.	Independent	1,024	48.8%	Elected
2	McNamara, P.	Labour Party	794	37.8%
3	Driver, B.	Green Party	159	7.6%
4	Evans, A.	Conservative and Unionist Party	45	2.1%
5	Bligh, C.	Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition	33	1.6%
6	Hall, J.	Liberal Democrats	31	1.5%
7	Vosper, J.	Independent	14	0.7%

Electorate 6,462 · Ballots cast 2,100 · Back to ward index

Plymstock Dunstone · single-seat

Marginal winner 50.7% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −0.7 pts Valid ballots 4,362

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Stephens, J.	Labour Party	2,210	50.7%	Elected
2	Hunt, J.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,315	30.1%
3	Stickland, G.	Independent	309	7.1%
4	Edwards, P.	Liberal Democrats	211	4.8%
5	Driver, P.	Green Party	160	3.7%
6	Endean, P.	Reform UK	117	2.7%
7	Hilton, J.	Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition	21	0.5%
8	Ingram, D.	Heritage Party	19	0.4%

Electorate 10,104 · Ballots cast 4,362 · Back to ward index

Plympton St. Mary · single-seat

Marginal winner 50.7% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −0.7 pts Valid ballots 3,875

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Nicholson, P.	Independent	1,965	50.7%	Elected
2	Boot, M.	Conservative and Unionist Party	827	21.3%
3	Smith, P.	Labour Party	649	16.7%
4	Worrall, R.	Green Party	266	6.9%
5	Jennett, S.	Liberal Democrats	139	3.6%
6	Frost, A.	Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition	29	0.7%

Electorate 10,087 · Ballots cast 3,875 · Back to ward index

Plympton Erle · single-seat

Marginal winner 51.1% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −1.1 pts Valid ballots 2,419

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Beer, T.	Independent	1,236	51.1%	Elected
2	Williams, R.	Labour Party	498	20.6%
3	Ward, A.	Conservative and Unionist Party	442	18.3%
4	MacKay, L.	Green Party	147	6.1%
5	Draper, I.	Liberal Democrats	71	2.9%
6	Yeo, H.	Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition	25	1.0%

Electorate 6,842 · Ballots cast 2,419 · Back to ward index

Peverell · single-seat

Marginal winner 52.5% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −2.5 pts Valid ballots 4,194

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Allen, S.	Labour Party	2,203	52.5%	Elected
2	Lever, T.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,029	24.5%
3	Cann, D.	Independent	374	8.9%
4	Casley, N.	Green Party	371	8.8%
5	Preen, W.	Liberal Democrats	169	4.0%
6	Moore, D.	Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition	48	1.1%

Electorate 10,315 · Ballots cast 4,194 · Back to ward index

Honicknowle · single-seat

Marginal winner 58.6% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −8.6 pts Valid ballots 2,435

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Moore, K.	Labour Party	1,426	58.6%	Elected
2	Boadella, M.	Conservative and Unionist Party	554	22.8%
3	Jakes, M.	Green Party	222	9.1%
4	Simpson, R.	Liberal Democrats	179	7.4%
5	Alldridge, L.	Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition	54	2.2%

Electorate 10,495 · Ballots cast 2,435 · Back to ward index

Sutton & Mount Gould · single-seat

Marginal winner 58.6% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −8.6 pts Valid ballots 3,044

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Dann, S.	Labour Party	1,785	58.6%	Elected
2	Shillabeer, E.	Conservative and Unionist Party	512	16.8%
3	Kewish, M.	Green Party	363	11.9%
4	Ball, F.	Liberal Democrats	176	5.8%
5	Sivasothy, T.	Independent	124	4.1%
6	Sampson, A.	Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition	84	2.8%

Electorate 10,105 · Ballots cast 3,044 · Back to ward index

Efford & Lipson · single-seat

Marginal winner 58.9% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −8.9 pts Valid ballots 2,886

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Murphy, P.	Labour Party	1,701	58.9%	Elected
2	Jones, W.	Conservative and Unionist Party	623	21.6%
3	Bushell, P.	Green Party	338	11.7%
4	Primmer, A.	Liberal Democrats	155	5.4%
5	Whitear, M.	Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition	69	2.4%

Electorate 10,120 · Ballots cast 2,886 · Back to ward index

Stoke · single-seat

Marginal winner 61.8% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −11.8 pts Valid ballots 3,302

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Laing, J.	Labour Party	2,041	61.8%	Elected
2	Duke, E.	Conservative and Unionist Party	615	18.6%
3	Ireland, N.	Green Party	330	10.0%
4	Gillbard, M.	Liberal Democrats	224	6.8%
5	Moore, A.	Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition	92	2.8%

Electorate 10,161 · Ballots cast 3,302 · Back to ward index

Devonport · single-seat

Marginal winner 62.1% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −12.1 pts Valid ballots 2,728

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Coker, M.	Labour Party	1,693	62.1%	Elected
2	Gatward, J.	Conservative and Unionist Party	544	19.9%
3	Ellwood, J.	Green Party	224	8.2%
4	Spencer, J.	Liberal Democrats	187	6.9%
5	Duncan, L.	Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition	80	2.9%

Electorate 11,403 · Ballots cast 2,728 · Back to ward index