← Wakefield (all cycles) · 2 May 2024 cohort

Wakefield 2024

Local elections held 2 May 2024.

21 ward races

22 seats

5 elected below the proportional quota

22.7% 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 21 wards in this cycle, parties received the vote totals below. The proportional column shows what each party would have won if the 22 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	36,875	54.5%	21	95.5%	14	63.6%	+7
Conservative and Unionist Party	12,828	19.0%	0	0.0%	4	18.2%	-4
Green Party	7,312	10.8%	0	0.0%	2	9.1%	-2
WAKE and D	3,602	5.3%	0	0.0%	1	4.5%	-1
Yorkshire Party	3,045	4.5%	0	0.0%	1	4.5%	-1
Liberal Democrats	2,125	3.1%	1	4.5%	0	0.0%	+1
Reform UK	924	1.4%	0	0.0%	0	0.0%	0
Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition	440	0.7%	0	0.0%	0	0.0%	0
Independent	304	0.4%	0	0.0%	0	0.0%	0
Heritage Party	169	0.2%	0	0.0%	0	0.0%	0
Total	67,624	100.0%	22	100.0%	22	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.

Wakefield South · 1 seat · won at 36.4% · +13.6 pts below quota
Wrenthorpe and Outwood West · 1 seat · won at 39.6% · +10.4 pts below quota
Wakefield Rural · 1 seat · won at 40.7% · +9.3 pts below quota
Normanton · 2 seats · won at 27.1% · +6.2 pts below quota
Ossett · 1 seat · won at 49.9% · +0.1 pts below quota
Wakefield North · 1 seat · won at 50.0% · above quota
Airedale and Ferry Fryston · 1 seat · won at 51.1% · above quota
Altofts and Whitwood · 1 seat · won at 52.7% · above quota
Wakefield West · 1 seat · won at 53.1% · above quota
Wakefield East · 1 seat · won at 54.2% · above quota
Pontefract North · 1 seat · won at 57.0% · above quota
Ackworth North Elmsall and Upton · 1 seat · won at 57.4% · above quota
Pontefract South · 1 seat · won at 57.8% · above quota
Crofton Ryhill and Walton · 1 seat · won at 58.2% · above quota
Knottingley · 1 seat · won at 59.5% · above quota
Hemsworth · 1 seat · won at 61.4% · above quota
Stanley and Outwood East · 1 seat · won at 63.0% · above quota
Castleford Central and Glasshoughton · 1 seat · won at 64.1% · above quota
Horbury and South Ossett · 1 seat · won at 64.9% · above quota
Featherstone · 1 seat · won at 72.8% · above quota
South Elmsall and South Kirkby · 1 seat · won at 73.3% · above quota

Race results

Wakefield South · single-seat

Marginal winner 36.4% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference +13.6 pts below quota Valid ballots 3,639

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Saleem, S.	Labour Party	1,326	36.4%	Elected
2	Hardwick, J.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,270	34.9%
3	Dodd, K.	Green Party	652	17.9%
4	Cochran, D.	Yorkshire Party	391	10.7%

Electorate 10,881 · Ballots cast 3,639 · EC ward code E05001462 · Back to ward index

Wrenthorpe and Outwood West · single-seat

Marginal winner 39.6% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference +10.4 pts below quota Valid ballots 3,932

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Fraser, B.	Labour Party	1,558	39.6%	Elected
2	Stansby, N.	WAKE and D	981	24.9%
3	Ali, W.	Conservative and Unionist Party	462	11.7%
4	Dews, D.	Reform UK	459	11.7%
5	Hawksley, B.	Yorkshire Party	208	5.3%
6	Russell, D.	Green Party	191	4.9%
7	Walton, J.	Liberal Democrats	73	1.9%

Electorate 12,973 · Ballots cast 3,932 · EC ward code E05001464 · Back to ward index

Wakefield Rural · single-seat

Marginal winner 40.7% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference +9.3 pts below quota Valid ballots 4,201

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Nicholls, A.	Labour Party	1,710	40.7%	Elected
2	Sanders, I.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,363	32.4%
3	Herdson, D.	Yorkshire Party	640	15.2%
4	Sadler, K.	Green Party	319	7.6%
5	Lord, M.	Liberal Democrats	169	4.0%

Electorate 13,707 · Ballots cast 4,201 · EC ward code E05001461 · Back to ward index

Normanton · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 27.1% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +6.2 pts below quota Valid ballots 4,807

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Medford, J.	Labour Party	1,709	35.6%	Elected
2	Wilton, D.	Labour Party	1,303	27.1%	Elected
3	Parsons, C.	WAKE and D	584	12.1%
4	Clayton, J.	Green Party	426	8.9%
5	Thomas, C.	Conservative and Unionist Party	406	8.4%
6	Mestre, T.	Conservative and Unionist Party	379	7.9%

Electorate 12,930 · Ballots cast 4,807 · EC ward code E05001453 · Back to ward index

Ossett · single-seat

Marginal winner 49.9% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference +0.1 pts below quota Valid ballots 3,787

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Smith, D.	Labour Party	1,890	49.9%	Elected
2	Clough, K.	Conservative and Unionist Party	879	23.2%
3	Senior, S.	Reform UK	465	12.3%
4	Biltcliffe, S.	Yorkshire Party	216	5.7%
5	Sargeant, T.	Liberal Democrats	184	4.9%
6	Scott, S.	Green Party	153	4.0%

Electorate 12,549 · Ballots cast 3,787 · EC ward code E05001454 · Back to ward index

Wakefield North · single-seat

Marginal winner 50.0% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference 0.0 pts Valid ballots 3,224

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Rhodes, E.	Labour Party	1,613	50.0%	Elected
2	Howick, A.	Green Party	733	22.7%
3	Woolmer, T.	Conservative and Unionist Party	460	14.3%
4	Mack, A.	Yorkshire Party	347	10.8%
5	Griffiths, T.	Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition	71	2.2%

Electorate 12,323 · Ballots cast 3,224 · EC ward code E05001460 · Back to ward index

Airedale and Ferry Fryston · single-seat

Marginal winner 51.1% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −1.1 pts Valid ballots 2,221

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Ferguson, J.	Labour Party	1,135	51.1%	Elected
2	Kennedy, N.	WAKE and D	800	36.0%
3	Mullins, E.	Conservative and Unionist Party	171	7.7%
4	Ingham, J.	Green Party	115	5.2%

Electorate 11,607 · Ballots cast 2,221 · EC ward code E05001445 · Back to ward index

Altofts and Whitwood · single-seat

Marginal winner 52.7% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −2.7 pts Valid ballots 3,196

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Pritchard, J.	Labour Party	1,684	52.7%	Elected
2	Thomas, J.	WAKE and D	828	25.9%
3	Forster, P.	Conservative and Unionist Party	451	14.1%
4	Holmes, K.	Green Party	233	7.3%

Electorate 14,531 · Ballots cast 3,196 · EC ward code E05001446 · Back to ward index

Wakefield West · single-seat

Marginal winner 53.1% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −3.1 pts Valid ballots 2,776

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Mitchell, H.	Labour Party	1,475	53.1%	Elected
2	Higson, J.	Conservative and Unionist Party	636	22.9%
3	Towle, L.	Green Party	383	13.8%
4	Stretton, S.	Heritage Party	169	6.1%
5	Hayes, S.	Liberal Democrats	113	4.1%

Electorate 11,372 · Ballots cast 2,776 · EC ward code E05001463 · Back to ward index

Wakefield East · single-seat

Marginal winner 54.2% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −4.2 pts Valid ballots 3,237

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Walton, N.	Labour Party	1,754	54.2%	Elected
2	Mackintosh, J.	Green Party	857	26.5%
3	Formuli, N.	Conservative and Unionist Party	477	14.7%
4	Griffiths, M.	Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition	149	4.6%

Electorate 11,714 · Ballots cast 3,237 · EC ward code E05001459 · Back to ward index

Pontefract North · single-seat

Marginal winner 57.0% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −7.0 pts Valid ballots 3,013

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Antcliff, H.	Labour Party	1,717	57.0%	Elected
2	Dawson, C.	Yorkshire Party	685	22.7%
3	Crosswaite, J.	Conservative and Unionist Party	418	13.9%
4	Tingle, E.	Green Party	193	6.4%

Electorate 14,564 · Ballots cast 3,013 · EC ward code E05001455 · Back to ward index

Ackworth North Elmsall and Upton · single-seat

Marginal winner 57.4% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −7.4 pts Valid ballots 2,993

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Roberts, M.	Labour Party	1,719	57.4%	Elected
2	Gabriel, J.	Green Party	663	22.2%
3	Nykamp, D.	Conservative and Unionist Party	611	20.4%

Electorate 13,386 · Ballots cast 2,993 · EC ward code E05001444 · Back to ward index

Pontefract South · single-seat

Marginal winner 57.8% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −7.8 pts Valid ballots 3,331

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Craig, J.	Labour Party	1,925	57.8%	Elected
2	Hames, T.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,102	33.1%
3	Watkins, O.	Green Party	304	9.1%

Electorate 11,851 · Ballots cast 3,331 · EC ward code E05001456 · Back to ward index

Crofton Ryhill and Walton · single-seat

Marginal winner 58.2% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −8.2 pts Valid ballots 3,295

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Heptinstall, F.	Labour Party	1,918	58.2%	Elected
2	Cowton, E.	Conservative and Unionist Party	971	29.5%
3	Newby, G.	Green Party	406	12.3%

Electorate 12,296 · Ballots cast 3,295 · EC ward code E05001448 · Back to ward index

Knottingley · single-seat

Marginal winner 59.5% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −9.5 pts Valid ballots 2,292

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Hayes, A.	Liberal Democrats	1,363	59.5%	Elected
2	Biddle, T.	Labour Party	695	30.3%
3	Swift, A.	Conservative and Unionist Party	155	6.8%
4	Love, R.	Green Party	79	3.4%

Electorate 10,523 · Ballots cast 2,292 · EC ward code E05001452 · Back to ward index

Hemsworth · single-seat

Marginal winner 61.4% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −11.4 pts Valid ballots 2,103

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Jones, L.	Labour Party	1,292	61.4%	Elected
2	Morton, L.	Green Party	382	18.2%
3	Smart, D.	Conservative and Unionist Party	261	12.4%
4	Johnson, M.	Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition	168	8.0%

Electorate 12,604 · Ballots cast 2,103 · EC ward code E05001450 · Back to ward index

Stanley and Outwood East · single-seat

Marginal winner 63.0% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −13.0 pts Valid ballots 3,860

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Morley, M.	Labour Party	2,432	63.0%	Elected
2	Woolmer, M.	Conservative and Unionist Party	688	17.8%
3	Prest, J.	WAKE and D	409	10.6%
4	Copeland, R.	Green Party	279	7.2%
5	Lumber, D.	Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition	52	1.3%

Electorate 13,545 · Ballots cast 3,860 · EC ward code E05001458 · Back to ward index

Castleford Central and Glasshoughton · single-seat

Marginal winner 64.1% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −14.1 pts Valid ballots 2,671

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Forster, R.	Labour Party	1,713	64.1%	Elected
2	Phelps, P.	Yorkshire Party	558	20.9%
3	Smart, J.	Conservative and Unionist Party	242	9.1%
4	Brennan, S.	Green Party	158	5.9%

Electorate 12,654 · Ballots cast 2,671 · EC ward code E05001447 · Back to ward index

Horbury and South Ossett · single-seat

Marginal winner 64.9% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −14.9 pts Valid ballots 3,711

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Byford, D.	Labour Party	2,409	64.9%	Elected
2	Coutinho, M.	Conservative and Unionist Party	618	16.7%
3	Harrop, M.	Independent	304	8.2%
4	Goodair, M.	Liberal Democrats	223	6.0%
5	Norris, R.	Green Party	157	4.2%

Electorate 11,713 · Ballots cast 3,711 · EC ward code E05001451 · Back to ward index

Featherstone · single-seat

Marginal winner 72.8% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −22.8 pts Valid ballots 2,754

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Tennant-King, M.	Labour Party	2,005	72.8%	Elected
2	Hill, A.	Conservative and Unionist Party	425	15.4%
3	Dickenson, C.	Green Party	324	11.8%

Electorate 13,228 · Ballots cast 2,754 · EC ward code E05001449 · Back to ward index

South Elmsall and South Kirkby · single-seat

Marginal winner 73.3% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −23.3 pts Valid ballots 2,581

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Collins, M.	Labour Party	1,893	73.3%	Elected
2	Wrightson, D.	Conservative and Unionist Party	383	14.8%
3	Ludewig, S.	Green Party	305	11.8%

Electorate 13,663 · Ballots cast 2,581 · EC ward code E05001457 · Back to ward index