← West Berkshire (all cycles) · 4 May 2023 cohort

West Berkshire 2023

Local elections held 4 May 2023.

24 ward races

43 seats

31 elected below the proportional quota

72.1% 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 24 wards in this cycle, parties received the vote totals below. The proportional column shows what each party would have won if the 43 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
Liberal Democrats	43,793	48.9%	29	67.4%	22	51.2%	+7
Conservative and Unionist Party	31,295	35.0%	11	25.6%	15	34.9%	-4
Green Party	8,692	9.7%	2	4.7%	4	9.3%	-2
Labour Party	4,598	5.1%	1	2.3%	2	4.7%	-1
Independent	696	0.8%	0	0.0%	0	0.0%	0
Reform UK	222	0.2%	0	0.0%	0	0.0%	0
UK Independence Party (UKIP)	89	0.1%	0	0.0%	0	0.0%	0
Heritage Party	86	0.1%	0	0.0%	0	0.0%	0
Total	89,471	100.0%	43	100.0%	43	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.

Tilehurst South & Holybrook · 2 seats · won at 22.5% · +10.8 pts below quota
Newbury Speen · 2 seats · won at 23.0% · +10.3 pts below quota
Chieveley & Cold Ash · 2 seats · won at 23.3% · +10.0 pts below quota
Hungerford & Kintbury · 3 seats · won at 15.1% · +9.9 pts below quota
Burghfield & Mortimer · 3 seats · won at 15.3% · +9.7 pts below quota
Tilehurst & Purley · 3 seats · won at 15.6% · +9.4 pts below quota
Tilehurst Birch Copse · 2 seats · won at 24.3% · +9.0 pts below quota
Newbury Wash Common · 3 seats · won at 16.8% · +8.2 pts below quota
Newbury Greenham · 3 seats · won at 17.6% · +7.4 pts below quota
Thatcham West · 2 seats · won at 26.6% · +6.8 pts below quota
Newbury Clay Hill · 2 seats · won at 28.1% · +5.2 pts below quota
Thatcham Central · 2 seats · won at 29.1% · +4.2 pts below quota
Thatcham North East · 2 seats · won at 29.9% · +3.4 pts below quota
Newbury Central · 2 seats · won at 30.3% · +3.0 pts below quota
Aldermaston · 1 seat · won at 51.0% · above quota
Pangbourne · 1 seat · won at 53.1% · above quota
Bucklebury · 1 seat · won at 54.7% · above quota
Downlands · 1 seat · won at 55.6% · above quota
Bradfield · 1 seat · won at 57.2% · above quota
Basildon · 1 seat · won at 58.6% · above quota
Lambourn · 1 seat · won at 59.8% · above quota
Ridgeway · 1 seat · won at 68.8% · above quota
Thatcham Colthrop & Crookham · 1 seat · won at 70.1% · above quota
Theale · 1 seat · won at 70.7% · above quota

Race results

Tilehurst South & Holybrook · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 22.5% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +10.8 pts below quota Valid ballots 3,181

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Somner, R.	Conservative and Unionist Party	827	26.0%	Elected
2	Oloko, B.	Conservative and Unionist Party	716	22.5%	Elected
3	Croal, C.	Labour Party	620	19.5%
4	Bell, E.	Labour Party	554	17.4%
5	Browne, A.	Liberal Democrats	261	8.2%
6	Grout, J.	Liberal Democrats	203	6.4%

Electorate 5,725 · Ballots cast 3,181 · Back to ward index

Newbury Speen · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 23.0% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +10.3 pts below quota Valid ballots 4,620

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Vickers, M.	Liberal Democrats	1,109	24.0%	Elected
2	Amirtharaj, A.	Liberal Democrats	1,062	23.0%	Elected
3	Masters, S.	Green Party	831	18.0%
4	Doherty, L.	Conservative and Unionist Party	791	17.1%
5	Dudman, D.	Conservative and Unionist Party	748	16.2%
6	Ferreira, J.	Reform UK	79	1.7%

Electorate 5,766 · Ballots cast 4,620 · Back to ward index

Chieveley & Cold Ash · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 23.3% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +10.0 pts below quota Valid ballots 4,497

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Codling, H.	Liberal Democrats	1,156	25.7%	Elected
2	Dick, P.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,049	23.3%	Elected
3	Witheridge, P.	Conservative and Unionist Party	878	19.5%
4	McCann, T.	Liberal Democrats	829	18.4%
5	Hoblin, J.	Green Party	585	13.0%

Electorate 5,431 · Ballots cast 4,497 · Back to ward index

Hungerford & Kintbury · 3-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 15.1% Proportional quota 25.0% Difference +9.9 pts below quota Valid ballots 10,386

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Gaines, D.	Liberal Democrats	2,036	19.6%	Elected
2	Vickers, T.	Liberal Democrats	1,704	16.4%	Elected
3	Benneyworth, D.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,572	15.1%	Elected
4	Swift-Hook, J.	Liberal Democrats	1,509	14.5%
5	Tompkins, P.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,380	13.3%
6	Podger, B.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,356	13.1%
7	Whitham, T.	Green Party	829	8.0%

Electorate 8,882 · Ballots cast 10,386 · Back to ward index

Burghfield & Mortimer · 3-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 15.3% Proportional quota 25.0% Difference +9.7 pts below quota Valid ballots 8,690

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Carter, N.	Liberal Democrats	1,499	17.2%	Elected
2	Poole, V.	Liberal Democrats	1,438	16.5%	Elected
3	Mayes, G.	Liberal Democrats	1,330	15.3%	Elected
4	Bridgman, G.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,146	13.2%
5	Kilshaw, D.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,055	12.1%
6	MacKinnon, A.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,032	11.9%
7	Timms, S.	Labour Party	450	5.2%
8	Gower, P.	Green Party	434	5.0%
9	Savill, C.	Labour Party	306	3.5%

Electorate 8,055 · Ballots cast 8,690 · Back to ward index

Tilehurst & Purley · 3-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 15.6% Proportional quota 25.0% Difference +9.4 pts below quota Valid ballots 7,576

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Lewis, J.	Liberal Democrats	1,195	15.8%	Elected
2	Langford, J.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,191	15.7%	Elected
3	Kander, P.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,183	15.6%	Elected
4	Billows, S.	Liberal Democrats	1,133	15.0%
5	Marino, T.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,097	14.5%
6	Norman, G.	Liberal Democrats	633	8.4%
7	Warren, J.	Labour Party	599	7.9%
8	Paynter, J.	Green Party	545	7.2%

Electorate 8,226 · Ballots cast 7,576 · Back to ward index

Tilehurst Birch Copse · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 24.3% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +9.0 pts below quota Valid ballots 3,033

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Stewart, J.	Conservative and Unionist Party	777	25.6%	Elected
2	Taylor, C.	Labour Party	737	24.3%	Elected
3	Linden, A.	Conservative and Unionist Party	736	24.3%
4	Lally, C.	Liberal Democrats	438	14.4%
5	Moore, A.	Liberal Democrats	345	11.4%

Electorate 5,939 · Ballots cast 3,033 · Back to ward index

Newbury Wash Common · 3-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 16.8% Proportional quota 25.0% Difference +8.2 pts below quota Valid ballots 8,883

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Clark, P.	Liberal Democrats	1,774	20.0%	Elected
2	Abbs, A.	Liberal Democrats	1,712	19.3%	Elected
3	Marsh, D.	Green Party	1,495	16.8%	Elected
4	Miller, V.	Liberal Democrats	1,480	16.7%
5	Davies, J.	Conservative and Unionist Party	686	7.7%
6	Hunt, C.	Conservative and Unionist Party	676	7.6%
7	Stephenson, A.	Conservative and Unionist Party	627	7.1%
8	Kirby, S.	Independent	433	4.9%

Electorate 7,103 · Ballots cast 8,883 · Back to ward index

Newbury Greenham · 3-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 17.6% Proportional quota 25.0% Difference +7.4 pts below quota Valid ballots 8,411

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Barnett, P.	Liberal Democrats	1,716	20.4%	Elected
2	Drummond, B.	Liberal Democrats	1,532	18.2%	Elected
3	Pattenden, E.	Liberal Democrats	1,484	17.6%	Elected
4	Wakelyn-Green, M.	Green Party	918	10.9%
5	James, S.	Conservative and Unionist Party	754	9.0%
6	Verner, L.	Conservative and Unionist Party	725	8.6%
7	Clarke, J.	Conservative and Unionist Party	713	8.5%
8	Puffett, G.	Labour Party	426	5.1%
9	Anfield, J.	Reform UK	143	1.7%

Electorate 9,180 · Ballots cast 8,411 · Back to ward index

Thatcham West · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 26.6% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +6.8 pts below quota Valid ballots 3,278

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Brooks, J.	Liberal Democrats	1,100	33.6%	Elected
2	Pemberton, J.	Liberal Democrats	871	26.6%	Elected
3	Collis, J.	Conservative and Unionist Party	439	13.4%
4	Pearson, J.	Conservative and Unionist Party	344	10.5%
5	Parsloe, E.	Green Party	215	6.6%
6	Berrington, S.	Labour Party	121	3.7%
7	East, N.	Labour Party	99	3.0%
8	Johnson, G.	UK Independence Party (UKIP)	89	2.7%

Electorate 5,367 · Ballots cast 3,278 · Back to ward index

Newbury Clay Hill · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 28.1% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +5.2 pts below quota Valid ballots 3,833

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Gourley, S.	Liberal Democrats	1,311	34.2%	Elected
2	Foot, N.	Liberal Democrats	1,077	28.1%	Elected
3	Almond, R.	Conservative and Unionist Party	432	11.3%
4	Clifford, J.	Conservative and Unionist Party	422	11.0%
5	Gotelee, J.	Independent	263	6.9%
6	Swaffield, K.	Green Party	242	6.3%
7	McMahon, D.	Heritage Party	86	2.2%

Electorate 5,596 · Ballots cast 3,833 · Back to ward index

Thatcham Central · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 29.1% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +4.2 pts below quota Valid ballots 3,520

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Steevenson, S.	Liberal Democrats	1,040	29.5%	Elected
2	Cottingham, I.	Liberal Democrats	1,024	29.1%	Elected
3	Crumly, R.	Conservative and Unionist Party	511	14.5%
4	Murphy, I.	Conservative and Unionist Party	482	13.7%
5	Collins, E.	Green Party	267	7.6%
6	Brook, M.	Labour Party	196	5.6%

Electorate 5,396 · Ballots cast 3,520 · Back to ward index

Thatcham North East · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 29.9% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +3.4 pts below quota Valid ballots 3,501

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Dillon, L.	Liberal Democrats	1,131	32.3%	Elected
2	Cottam, J.	Liberal Democrats	1,048	29.9%	Elected
3	Carr, S.	Conservative and Unionist Party	514	14.7%
4	Parry, D.	Conservative and Unionist Party	432	12.3%
5	Hodgson, K.	Green Party	376	10.7%

Electorate 5,780 · Ballots cast 3,501 · Back to ward index

Newbury Central · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 30.3% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +3.0 pts below quota Valid ballots 4,342

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Colston, M.	Liberal Democrats	1,358	31.3%	Elected
2	Sturgess, L.	Liberal Democrats	1,316	30.3%	Elected
3	Doherty, S.	Conservative and Unionist Party	650	15.0%
4	Jardim, J.	Conservative and Unionist Party	619	14.3%
5	Pop, B.	Green Party	399	9.2%

Electorate 5,526 · Ballots cast 4,342 · Back to ward index

Aldermaston · single-seat

Marginal winner 51.0% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −1.0 pts Valid ballots 1,103

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Boeck, D.	Conservative and Unionist Party	562	51.0%	Elected
2	Burne, Z.	Liberal Democrats	333	30.2%
3	Heath, P.	Labour Party	128	11.6%
4	Lowe, M.	Green Party	80	7.3%

Electorate 3,010 · Ballots cast 1,103 · Back to ward index

Pangbourne · single-seat

Marginal winner 53.1% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −3.1 pts Valid ballots 1,277

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Shakespeare, M.	Liberal Democrats	678	53.1%	Elected
2	Male, M.	Conservative and Unionist Party	444	34.8%
3	Farrington, M.	Labour Party	94	7.4%
4	Hall, T.	Green Party	61	4.8%

Electorate 2,791 · Ballots cast 1,277 · Back to ward index

Bucklebury · single-seat

Marginal winner 54.7% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −4.7 pts Valid ballots 1,513

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Read, C.	Liberal Democrats	828	54.7%	Elected
2	Woods, G.	Conservative and Unionist Party	521	34.4%
3	Loader, G.	Green Party	164	10.8%

Electorate 2,879 · Ballots cast 1,513 · Back to ward index

Downlands · single-seat

Marginal winner 55.6% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −5.6 pts Valid ballots 1,159

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Hooker, C.	Conservative and Unionist Party	644	55.6%	Elected
2	Boyd, J.	Liberal Democrats	288	24.8%
3	Gartshore, J.	Green Party	146	12.6%
4	McKay, I.	Labour Party	81	7.0%

Electorate 2,999 · Ballots cast 1,159 · Back to ward index

Bradfield · single-seat

Marginal winner 57.2% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −7.2 pts Valid ballots 1,051

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Mackinnon, R.	Conservative and Unionist Party	601	57.2%	Elected
2	Bucknall, R.	Liberal Democrats	357	34.0%
3	Woodward, M.	Labour Party	93	8.8%

Electorate 2,905 · Ballots cast 1,051 · Back to ward index

Basildon · single-seat

Marginal winner 58.6% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −8.6 pts Valid ballots 1,240

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Coyle, L.	Liberal Democrats	727	58.6%	Elected
2	Preston-Barnes, H.	Conservative and Unionist Party	513	41.4%

Electorate 2,758 · Ballots cast 1,240 · Back to ward index

Lambourn · single-seat

Marginal winner 59.8% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −9.8 pts Valid ballots 1,033

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Woollaston, H.	Conservative and Unionist Party	618	59.8%	Elected
2	Pattenden, D.	Liberal Democrats	262	25.4%
3	Millington, S.	Green Party	153	14.8%

Electorate 3,103 · Ballots cast 1,033 · Back to ward index

Ridgeway · single-seat

Marginal winner 68.8% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −18.8 pts Valid ballots 1,384

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Culver, C.	Green Party	952	68.8%	Elected
2	Iliffe, E.	Conservative and Unionist Party	345	24.9%
3	Taylor, P.	Liberal Democrats	87	6.3%

Electorate 3,075 · Ballots cast 1,384 · Back to ward index

Thatcham Colthrop & Crookham · single-seat

Marginal winner 70.1% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −20.1 pts Valid ballots 1,133

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Jeffery, O.	Liberal Democrats	794	70.1%	Elected
2	Ardagh-Walter, S.	Conservative and Unionist Party	339	29.9%

Electorate 2,576 · Ballots cast 1,133 · Back to ward index

Theale · single-seat

Marginal winner 70.7% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −20.7 pts Valid ballots 827

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Macro, A.	Liberal Democrats	585	70.7%	Elected
2	Parkhill, T.	Conservative and Unionist Party	148	17.9%
3	Ferguson, S.	Labour Party	94	11.4%

Electorate 2,307 · Ballots cast 827 · Back to ward index