← Stafford (all cycles) · 4 May 2023 cohort

Stafford 2023

Local elections held 4 May 2023.

23 ward races

40 seats

32 elected below the proportional quota

80.0% 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 23 wards in this cycle, parties received the vote totals below. The proportional column shows what each party would have won if the 40 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	20,843	36.1%	14	35.0%	15	37.5%	-1
Labour Party	16,764	29.1%	13	32.5%	12	30.0%	+1
STAFF BOR IND	10,094	17.5%	7	17.5%	7	17.5%	0
Green Party	7,704	13.4%	5	12.5%	5	12.5%	0
Liberal Democrats	1,417	2.5%	1	2.5%	1	2.5%	0
Reform UK	777	1.3%	0	0.0%	0	0.0%	0
Independent	107	0.2%	0	0.0%	0	0.0%	0
Total	57,706	100.0%	40	100.0%	40	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.

Swynnerton & Oulton · 2 seats · won at 17.7% · +15.7 pts below quota
Weeping Cross & Wildwood · 2 seats · won at 18.0% · +15.3 pts below quota
Baswich · 2 seats · won at 18.8% · +14.6 pts below quota
Milwich · 2 seats · won at 22.1% · +11.2 pts below quota
Seighford & Church Eaton · 2 seats · won at 22.3% · +11.1 pts below quota
Fulford · 2 seats · won at 22.6% · +10.7 pts below quota
Gnosall & Woodseaves · 2 seats · won at 23.4% · +10.0 pts below quota
Walton · 2 seats · won at 23.5% · +9.9 pts below quota
Rowley · 1 seat · won at 41.3% · +8.7 pts below quota
Holmcroft · 2 seats · won at 24.7% · +8.6 pts below quota
Highfields & Western Downs · 2 seats · won at 25.4% · +7.9 pts below quota
Littleworth · 2 seats · won at 26.6% · +6.7 pts below quota
St Michael's & Stonefield · 3 seats · won at 18.4% · +6.6 pts below quota
Eccleshall · 2 seats · won at 28.3% · +5.0 pts below quota
Manor · 2 seats · won at 28.6% · +4.8 pts below quota
Haywood & Hixon · 2 seats · won at 28.6% · +4.7 pts below quota
Coton · 2 seats · won at 29.9% · +3.5 pts below quota
Milford · 1 seat · won at 48.6% · +1.4 pts below quota
Barlaston · 1 seat · won at 54.0% · above quota
Penkside · 1 seat · won at 54.5% · above quota
Doxey & Castletown · 1 seat · won at 56.1% · above quota
Forebridge · 1 seat · won at 56.1% · above quota
Common · 1 seat · won at 63.0% · above quota

Race results

Swynnerton & Oulton · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 17.7% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +15.7 pts below quota Valid ballots 3,089

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	James, R.	Conservative and Unionist Party	676	21.9%	Elected
2	Nixon, J.	Conservative and Unionist Party	546	17.7%	Elected
3	Holmes, A.	Labour Party	435	14.1%
4	Dawson, K.	STAFF BOR IND	356	11.5%
5	Warman, P.	Labour Party	347	11.2%
6	Jones, P.	Liberal Democrats	295	9.6%
7	Metters, J.	STAFF BOR IND	239	7.7%
8	Capewell, S.	Green Party	195	6.3%

Electorate 5,060 · Ballots cast 3,089 · Back to ward index

Weeping Cross & Wildwood · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 18.0% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +15.3 pts below quota Valid ballots 3,493

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Barron, J.	STAFF BOR IND	639	18.3%	Elected
2	Read, J.	Labour Party	630	18.0%	Elected
3	Barron, R.	STAFF BOR IND	592	16.9%
4	Withington, J.	Labour Party	587	16.8%
5	Travis, S.	Conservative and Unionist Party	372	10.6%
6	Al-Khaldi, L.	Conservative and Unionist Party	358	10.2%
7	Matthews, S.	Green Party	189	5.4%
8	Sandbrook, M.	Green Party	126	3.6%

Electorate 4,717 · Ballots cast 3,493 · Back to ward index

Baswich · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 18.8% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +14.6 pts below quota Valid ballots 3,668

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Edgeller, A.	Conservative and Unionist Party	915	24.9%	Elected
2	Phillips, M.	Conservative and Unionist Party	688	18.8%	Elected
3	Carr, A.	Labour Party	633	17.3%
4	Kang, K.	Labour Party	524	14.3%
5	Davies, M.	STAFF BOR IND	357	9.7%
6	Woodhead, P.	STAFF BOR IND	346	9.4%
7	Boardman, T.	Green Party	205	5.6%

Electorate 4,841 · Ballots cast 3,668 · Back to ward index

Milwich · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 22.1% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +11.2 pts below quota Valid ballots 3,399

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Beatty, F.	Conservative and Unionist Party	836	24.6%	Elected
2	Aspin, K.	Conservative and Unionist Party	752	22.1%	Elected
3	Davies, J.	STAFF BOR IND	424	12.5%
4	Williams, K.	Labour Party	414	12.2%
5	McKeown, S.	STAFF BOR IND	403	11.9%
6	McGee, P.	Labour Party	365	10.7%
7	Harris, T.	Green Party	205	6.0%

Electorate 5,148 · Ballots cast 3,399 · Back to ward index

Seighford & Church Eaton · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 22.3% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +11.1 pts below quota Valid ballots 3,491

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Carter, E.	Green Party	974	27.9%	Elected
2	Rose, J.	Green Party	777	22.3%	Elected
3	Collier, C.	Conservative and Unionist Party	710	20.3%
4	Collier, G.	Conservative and Unionist Party	681	19.5%
5	McCormick, J.	Labour Party	349	10.0%

Electorate 5,532 · Ballots cast 3,491 · Back to ward index

Fulford · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 22.6% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +10.7 pts below quota Valid ballots 2,544

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Sandiford, A.	Liberal Democrats	693	27.2%	Elected
2	Dodson, M.	Conservative and Unionist Party	576	22.6%	Elected
3	Bakker-Collier, L.	Conservative and Unionist Party	515	20.2%
4	Moore, M.	Liberal Democrats	429	16.9%
5	Nutt, C.	Labour Party	331	13.0%

Electorate 4,684 · Ballots cast 2,544 · Back to ward index

Gnosall & Woodseaves · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 23.4% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +10.0 pts below quota Valid ballots 3,961

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Winnington, M.	Conservative and Unionist Party	962	24.3%	Elected
2	Spencer, S.	Green Party	926	23.4%	Elected
3	Farrington, P.	Conservative and Unionist Party	914	23.1%
4	Whittaker, D.	Green Party	828	20.9%
5	Harris, R.	Reform UK	171	4.3%
6	Harris, S.	Reform UK	160	4.0%

Electorate 5,381 · Ballots cast 3,961 · Back to ward index

Walton · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 23.5% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +9.9 pts below quota Valid ballots 2,803

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Hood, J.	STAFF BOR IND	1,144	40.8%	Elected
2	Powell, J.	STAFF BOR IND	658	23.5%	Elected
3	Lockwood, W.	Labour Party	536	19.1%
4	Parry, I.	Conservative and Unionist Party	252	9.0%
5	Walker, S.	Conservative and Unionist Party	213	7.6%

Electorate 5,606 · Ballots cast 2,803 · Back to ward index

Rowley · single-seat

Marginal winner 41.3% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference +8.7 pts below quota Valid ballots 1,202

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Rouxel, D.	Green Party	496	41.3%	Elected
2	Trowbridge, C.	Conservative and Unionist Party	406	33.8%
3	Hawkes, D.	Labour Party	300	25.0%

Electorate 3,013 · Ballots cast 1,202 · Back to ward index

Holmcroft · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 24.7% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +8.6 pts below quota Valid ballots 3,195

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	James, F.	Labour Party	797	24.9%	Elected
2	Cross, B.	Conservative and Unionist Party	790	24.7%	Elected
3	Price, J.	Conservative and Unionist Party	783	24.5%
4	Lupton, M.	Labour Party	583	18.2%
5	Moore, J.	Green Party	242	7.6%

Electorate 5,431 · Ballots cast 3,195 · Back to ward index

Highfields & Western Downs · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 25.4% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +7.9 pts below quota Valid ballots 2,155

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	McNaughton, A.	Labour Party	597	27.7%	Elected
2	McNaughton, D.	Labour Party	548	25.4%	Elected
3	Clarke, R.	Conservative and Unionist Party	358	16.6%
4	Riddle, B.	Conservative and Unionist Party	334	15.5%
5	Mahal, J.	Green Party	162	7.5%
6	Musson, R.	Green Party	156	7.2%

Electorate 4,799 · Ballots cast 2,155 · Back to ward index

Littleworth · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 26.6% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +6.7 pts below quota Valid ballots 2,647

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Pardesi, G.	Labour Party	775	29.3%	Elected
2	Nixon, A.	Labour Party	704	26.6%	Elected
3	Taylor, W.	Conservative and Unionist Party	370	14.0%
4	Redfern, M.	Conservative and Unionist Party	370	14.0%
5	Murray, A.	Green Party	202	7.6%
6	Bailey, M.	Reform UK	120	4.5%
7	Garbett, M.	Reform UK	106	4.0%

Electorate 4,313 · Ballots cast 2,647 · Back to ward index

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

Marginal winner 18.4% Proportional quota 25.0% Difference +6.6 pts below quota Valid ballots 6,639

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Kenney, R.	STAFF BOR IND	1,323	19.9%	Elected
2	Leason, P.	STAFF BOR IND	1,306	19.7%	Elected
3	Fordham, I.	STAFF BOR IND	1,219	18.4%	Elected
4	Osborne-Town, D.	Labour Party	863	13.0%
5	Bell, S.	Conservative and Unionist Party	795	12.0%
6	Harding, A.	Conservative and Unionist Party	679	10.2%
7	Sandbrook, D.	Conservative and Unionist Party	454	6.8%

Electorate 7,780 · Ballots cast 6,639 · Back to ward index

Eccleshall · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 28.3% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +5.0 pts below quota Valid ballots 3,350

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Pert, J.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,028	30.7%	Elected
2	Jones, P.	Conservative and Unionist Party	949	28.3%	Elected
3	Hanley, K.	Labour Party	591	17.6%
4	Osborne-Town, S.	Labour Party	444	13.3%
5	Douce, G.	Green Party	338	10.1%

Electorate 5,526 · Ballots cast 3,350 · Back to ward index

Manor · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 28.6% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +4.8 pts below quota Valid ballots 2,747

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Loughran, A.	Labour Party	853	31.1%	Elected
2	Hobbs, A.	Labour Party	785	28.6%	Elected
3	Oldridge, A.	Conservative and Unionist Party	450	16.4%
4	Gwynn, R.	Conservative and Unionist Party	432	15.7%
5	Percival, H.	Green Party	227	8.3%

Electorate 5,149 · Ballots cast 2,747 · Back to ward index

Haywood & Hixon · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 28.6% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +4.7 pts below quota Valid ballots 3,006

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	McKeown, B.	STAFF BOR IND	1,088	36.2%	Elected
2	Cooper, A.	Conservative and Unionist Party	861	28.6%	Elected
3	Porter, J.	Labour Party	684	22.8%
4	Door, V.	Green Party	373	12.4%

Electorate 5,489 · Ballots cast 3,006 · Back to ward index

Coton · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 29.9% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +3.5 pts below quota Valid ballots 1,888

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Nixon, L.	Labour Party	645	34.2%	Elected
2	Reid, A.	Labour Party	564	29.9%	Elected
3	Glover, N.	Conservative and Unionist Party	214	11.3%
4	Startin, P.	Conservative and Unionist Party	160	8.5%
5	Spight, M.	Green Party	131	6.9%
6	Riley, M.	Reform UK	100	5.3%
7	Spennewyn, S.	Reform UK	74	3.9%

Electorate 5,024 · Ballots cast 1,888 · Back to ward index

Milford · single-seat

Marginal winner 48.6% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference +1.4 pts below quota Valid ballots 914

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Edgeller, P.	Conservative and Unionist Party	444	48.6%	Elected
2	Shaw, N.	Labour Party	344	37.6%
3	Dewey, K.	Green Party	126	13.8%

Electorate 2,404 · Ballots cast 914 · Back to ward index

Barlaston · single-seat

Marginal winner 54.0% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −4.0 pts Valid ballots 681

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Jones, E.	Conservative and Unionist Party	368	54.0%	Elected
2	Sidley, R.	Labour Party	209	30.7%
3	Davies, K.	Green Party	104	15.3%

Electorate 2,263 · Ballots cast 681 · Back to ward index

Penkside · single-seat

Marginal winner 54.5% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −4.5 pts Valid ballots 595

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Cooke, R.	Labour Party	324	54.5%	Elected
2	Boucker, A.	Conservative and Unionist Party	169	28.4%
3	Chambers, R.	Green Party	56	9.4%
4	Clark, F.	Reform UK	46	7.7%

Electorate 2,512 · Ballots cast 595 · Back to ward index

Doxey & Castletown · single-seat

Marginal winner 56.1% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −6.1 pts Valid ballots 797

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Pearce, T.	Green Party	447	56.1%	Elected
2	Duffy, R.	Labour Party	146	18.3%
3	Brampton, J.	Conservative and Unionist Party	97	12.2%
4	Tristram, E.	Independent	60	7.5%
5	Davies, I.	Independent	47	5.9%

Electorate 2,781 · Ballots cast 797 · Back to ward index

Forebridge · single-seat

Marginal winner 56.1% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −6.1 pts Valid ballots 745

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Thorley, J.	Labour Party	418	56.1%	Elected
2	Cantrill, J.	Conservative and Unionist Party	188	25.2%
3	Norman, R.	Green Party	139	18.7%

Electorate 2,693 · Ballots cast 745 · Back to ward index

Common · single-seat

Marginal winner 63.0% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −13.0 pts Valid ballots 697

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Godfrey, A.	Labour Party	439	63.0%	Elected
2	Martin, P.	Conservative and Unionist Party	178	25.5%
3	Laidler, D.	Green Party	80	11.5%

Electorate 3,001 · Ballots cast 697 · Back to ward index