← Bedford (all cycles) · 4 May 2023 cohort

Bedford 2023

Local elections held 4 May 2023.

28 ward races

46 seats

35 elected below the proportional quota

76.1% 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 28 wards in this cycle, parties received the vote totals below. The proportional column shows what each party would have won if the 46 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	24,563	29.3%	14	30.4%	14	30.4%	0
Conservative and Unionist Party	23,316	27.8%	14	30.4%	13	28.3%	+1
Liberal Democrats	23,194	27.7%	13	28.3%	13	28.3%	0
Green Party	6,786	8.1%	3	6.5%	3	6.5%	0
Independent	5,623	6.7%	2	4.3%	3	6.5%	-1
Reform UK	310	0.4%	0	0.0%	0	0.0%	0
Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition	6	0.0%	0	0.0%	0	0.0%	0
CPB	5	0.0%	0	0.0%	0	0.0%	0
Total	83,803	100.0%	46	100.0%	46	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.

Greyfriars · 1 seat · won at 36.2% · +13.8 pts below quota
Kingsbrook · 2 seats · won at 19.8% · +13.5 pts below quota
Wixams & Wilstead · 3 seats · won at 12.5% · +12.5 pts below quota
Shortstown · 2 seats · won at 21.4% · +12.0 pts below quota
Clapham & Oakley · 2 seats · won at 21.4% · +12.0 pts below quota
Wootton & Kempston Rural · 2 seats · won at 22.5% · +10.8 pts below quota
Castle & Newnham · 2 seats · won at 23.3% · +10.0 pts below quota
Goldington · 2 seats · won at 23.4% · +9.9 pts below quota
Queens Park · 3 seats · won at 15.9% · +9.1 pts below quota
Kempston Central & East · 2 seats · won at 25.1% · +8.3 pts below quota
Bromham · 2 seats · won at 25.7% · +7.7 pts below quota
Brickhill · 2 seats · won at 26.0% · +7.4 pts below quota
Harpur · 2 seats · won at 27.1% · +6.2 pts below quota
De Parys · 2 seats · won at 27.3% · +6.1 pts below quota
Cauldwell · 3 seats · won at 19.3% · +5.7 pts below quota
Biddenham · 1 seat · won at 44.4% · +5.6 pts below quota
Putnoe · 2 seats · won at 27.9% · +5.5 pts below quota
Renhold & Ravensden · 1 seat · won at 49.6% · +0.4 pts below quota
Riverfield · 1 seat · won at 55.4% · above quota
Great Denham · 1 seat · won at 57.1% · above quota
Harrold · 1 seat · won at 60.6% · above quota
Riseley · 1 seat · won at 62.1% · above quota
Kempston North · 1 seat · won at 64.8% · above quota
Sharnbrook · 1 seat · won at 67.0% · above quota
Kempston West · 1 seat · won at 68.6% · above quota
Great Barford · 1 seat · won at 69.9% · above quota
Wyboston · 1 seat · won at 76.0% · above quota
Kempston South · 1 seat · won at 82.8% · above quota

Race results

Greyfriars · single-seat

Marginal winner 36.2% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference +13.8 pts below quota Valid ballots 757

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Foley, B.	Green Party	274	36.2%	Elected
2	Rani, S.	Labour Party	223	29.5%
3	Rahman, S.	Independent	144	19.0%
4	Boyes, K.	Conservative and Unionist Party	67	8.9%
5	Spencer, N.	Liberal Democrats	43	5.7%
6	Mannion, P.	Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition	6	0.8%

Electorate 2,898 · Ballots cast 757 · Back to ward index

Kingsbrook · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 19.8% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +13.5 pts below quota Valid ballots 4,062

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Crofts, D.	Liberal Democrats	879	21.6%	Elected
2	Rahman, R.	Labour Party	805	19.8%	Elected
3	Ullah, M.	Labour Party	776	19.1%
4	Khanum, H.	Liberal Democrats	701	17.3%
5	Fensome, C.	Conservative and Unionist Party	405	10.0%
6	Sira, S.	Conservative and Unionist Party	309	7.6%
7	Meek, N.	Green Party	187	4.6%

Electorate 7,448 · Ballots cast 4,062 · Back to ward index

Wixams & Wilstead · 3-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 12.5% Proportional quota 25.0% Difference +12.5 pts below quota Valid ballots 7,764

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Coombes, G.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,307	16.8%	Elected
2	Frost, M.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,129	14.5%	Elected
3	Spice, A.	Conservative and Unionist Party	969	12.5%	Elected
4	Jack, L.	Liberal Democrats	918	11.8%
5	Symonds, J.	Liberal Democrats	868	11.2%
6	Goldi, S.	Liberal Democrats	829	10.7%
7	Conway, S.	Labour Party	516	6.6%
8	Conway, T.	Labour Party	511	6.6%
9	Khan, A.	Labour Party	448	5.8%
10	Melville, L.	Independent	269	3.5%

Electorate 9,252 · Ballots cast 7,764 · Back to ward index

Shortstown · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 21.4% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +12.0 pts below quota Valid ballots 2,832

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Coombs, L.	Liberal Democrats	652	23.0%	Elected
2	Gallagher, S.	Conservative and Unionist Party	605	21.4%	Elected
3	Bowering, S.	Liberal Democrats	529	18.7%
4	Holland, S.	Conservative and Unionist Party	419	14.8%
5	Akbor, A.	Labour Party	253	8.9%
6	Nasir, M.	Labour Party	204	7.2%
7	Baker, R.	Green Party	170	6.0%

Electorate 5,059 · Ballots cast 2,832 · Back to ward index

Clapham & Oakley · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 21.4% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +12.0 pts below quota Valid ballots 3,781

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Walker, J.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,101	29.1%	Elected
2	Abbott, J.	Liberal Democrats	808	21.4%	Elected
3	Simms, P.	Conservative and Unionist Party	795	21.0%
4	Manning, J.	Liberal Democrats	539	14.3%
5	McDonald, J.	Labour Party	200	5.3%
6	Ali, T.	Labour Party	175	4.6%
7	Gray, L.	Green Party	163	4.3%

Electorate 5,328 · Ballots cast 3,781 · Back to ward index

Wootton & Kempston Rural · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 22.5% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +10.8 pts below quota Valid ballots 3,807

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Wheeler, J.	Conservative and Unionist Party	885	23.2%	Elected
2	Abood, S.	Liberal Democrats	858	22.5%	Elected
3	Stephens, P.	Liberal Democrats	848	22.3%
4	Tyerman, T.	Conservative and Unionist Party	652	17.1%
5	Dawson, J.	Labour Party	296	7.8%
6	Shaid, H.	Labour Party	268	7.0%

Electorate 6,616 · Ballots cast 3,807 · Back to ward index

Castle & Newnham · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 23.3% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +10.0 pts below quota Valid ballots 4,965

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Bywater, L.	Green Party	1,689	34.0%	Elected
2	Edmonds, P.	Green Party	1,157	23.3%	Elected
3	Blacklaws, S.	Labour Party	626	12.6%
4	Hendrickx, H.	Liberal Democrats	566	11.4%
5	Pattinson, T.	Liberal Democrats	348	7.0%
6	Briggs, S.	Conservative and Unionist Party	295	5.9%
7	Walker, J.	Conservative and Unionist Party	284	5.7%

Electorate 5,986 · Ballots cast 4,965 · Back to ward index

Goldington · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 23.4% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +9.9 pts below quota Valid ballots 3,113

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Caswell, T.	Liberal Democrats	792	25.4%	Elected
2	McHugh, C.	Liberal Democrats	729	23.4%	Elected
3	Kelly, S.	Labour Party	578	18.6%
4	Ward, C.	Labour Party	505	16.2%
5	Jones, B.	Conservative and Unionist Party	257	8.3%
6	Fleming, P.	Green Party	136	4.4%
7	Haynes, A.	Reform UK	116	3.7%

Electorate 5,925 · Ballots cast 3,113 · Back to ward index

Queens Park · 3-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 15.9% Proportional quota 25.0% Difference +9.1 pts below quota Valid ballots 8,999

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Akhtar, N.	Labour Party	1,604	17.8%	Elected
2	Masud, M.	Labour Party	1,484	16.5%	Elected
3	Din, M.	Labour Party	1,433	15.9%	Elected
4	Rafi, M.	Independent	1,349	15.0%
5	Iqbal, Z.	Independent	1,042	11.6%
6	Monowar, G.	Independent	803	8.9%
7	Ahmed, I.	Independent	248	2.8%
8	Campbell, S.	Liberal Democrats	193	2.1%
9	Wootton, J.	Conservative and Unionist Party	182	2.0%
10	Davis, P.	Conservative and Unionist Party	163	1.8%
11	Wootton, V.	Conservative and Unionist Party	146	1.6%
12	Plomer, K.	Green Party	146	1.6%
13	Baggaley, J.	Liberal Democrats	133	1.5%
14	Rogers, R.	Liberal Democrats	73	0.8%

Electorate 6,524 · Ballots cast 8,999 · Back to ward index

Kempston Central & East · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 25.1% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +8.3 pts below quota Valid ballots 3,493

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Nawaz, M.	Labour Party	907	26.0%	Elected
2	White, C.	Labour Party	875	25.1%	Elected
3	Parmar, J.	Liberal Democrats	612	17.5%
4	Crofts, L.	Liberal Democrats	429	12.3%
5	Johnson, J.	Conservative and Unionist Party	276	7.9%
6	Simran, N.	Conservative and Unionist Party	224	6.4%
7	Brown, M.	Green Party	170	4.9%

Electorate 6,737 · Ballots cast 3,493 · Back to ward index

Bromham · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 25.7% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +7.7 pts below quota Valid ballots 4,111

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Rigby, R.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,061	25.8%	Elected
2	Simmons, D.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,055	25.7%	Elected
3	Jones, R.	Liberal Democrats	449	10.9%
4	Charlton, G.	Labour Party	419	10.2%
5	Frith, A.	Labour Party	383	9.3%
6	Hill, K.	Green Party	320	7.8%
7	Rutherford, S.	Liberal Democrats	230	5.6%
8	Wallis, K.	Reform UK	194	4.7%

Electorate 5,764 · Ballots cast 4,111 · Back to ward index

Brickhill · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 26.0% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +7.4 pts below quota Valid ballots 4,627

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Royden, C.	Liberal Democrats	1,208	26.1%	Elected
2	Rider, W.	Liberal Democrats	1,201	26.0%	Elected
3	Scott, G.	Conservative and Unionist Party	645	13.9%
4	Thompson, S.	Conservative and Unionist Party	609	13.2%
5	Pugsley, E.	Labour Party	380	8.2%
6	MacKie, W.	Labour Party	352	7.6%
7	Bywater, S.	Green Party	232	5.0%

Electorate 6,531 · Ballots cast 4,627 · Back to ward index

Harpur · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 27.1% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +6.2 pts below quota Valid ballots 3,602

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Atkins, C.	Labour Party	1,178	32.7%	Elected
2	Layne, Z.	Labour Party	977	27.1%	Elected
3	Spring, S.	Conservative and Unionist Party	302	8.4%
4	Akinwande, E.	Conservative and Unionist Party	276	7.7%
5	Allen, D.	Independent	258	7.2%
6	Westwood, J.	Green Party	165	4.6%
7	Freeman, B.	Green Party	160	4.4%
8	Kavanagh, M.	Liberal Democrats	158	4.4%
9	Wood, P.	Liberal Democrats	128	3.6%

Electorate 6,431 · Ballots cast 3,602 · Back to ward index

De Parys · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 27.3% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +6.1 pts below quota Valid ballots 3,548

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Vann, H.	Liberal Democrats	1,044	29.4%	Elected
2	Sawyer, D.	Liberal Democrats	968	27.3%	Elected
3	Gordon, J.	Conservative and Unionist Party	369	10.4%
4	Linsley, F.	Conservative and Unionist Party	347	9.8%
5	Bowman, S.	Labour Party	322	9.1%
6	Islam, M.	Labour Party	268	7.6%
7	Marley, H.	Green Party	230	6.5%

Electorate 5,383 · Ballots cast 3,548 · Back to ward index

Cauldwell · 3-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 19.3% Proportional quota 25.0% Difference +5.7 pts below quota Valid ballots 5,830

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Atiq, F.	Labour Party	1,331	22.8%	Elected
2	Sultan, A.	Labour Party	1,137	19.5%	Elected
3	Thapar, H.	Labour Party	1,127	19.3%	Elected
4	Sunda, S.	Conservative and Unionist Party	498	8.5%
5	Groves, S.	Conservative and Unionist Party	433	7.4%
6	Milea, I.	Conservative and Unionist Party	388	6.7%
7	Bagnall, C.	Liberal Democrats	279	4.8%
8	McGrath, E.	Liberal Democrats	240	4.1%
9	Throssell, S.	Green Party	224	3.8%
10	Steyn, T.	Liberal Democrats	173	3.0%

Electorate 8,238 · Ballots cast 5,830 · Back to ward index

Biddenham · single-seat

Marginal winner 44.4% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference +5.6 pts below quota Valid ballots 995

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Gambold, J.	Conservative and Unionist Party	442	44.4%	Elected
2	Spurrell, A.	Green Party	423	42.5%
3	Howes, C.	Labour Party	90	9.0%
4	Mores, S.	Liberal Democrats	40	4.0%

Electorate 2,406 · Ballots cast 995 · Back to ward index

Putnoe · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 27.9% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +5.5 pts below quota Valid ballots 4,950

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Headley, M.	Liberal Democrats	1,638	33.1%	Elected
2	Royden, M.	Liberal Democrats	1,380	27.9%	Elected
3	Groves, K.	Conservative and Unionist Party	581	11.7%
4	Lawley, M.	Conservative and Unionist Party	495	10.0%
5	Harvey, W.	Labour Party	336	6.8%
6	Pearce, G.	Labour Party	275	5.6%
7	Feneley, J.	Green Party	245	4.9%

Electorate 6,498 · Ballots cast 4,950 · Back to ward index

Renhold & Ravensden · single-seat

Marginal winner 49.6% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference +0.4 pts below quota Valid ballots 1,137

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Gribble, N.	Independent	564	49.6%	Elected
2	Cardinale, F.	Conservative and Unionist Party	397	34.9%
3	Purves, M.	Labour Party	98	8.6%
4	Longmore, C.	Liberal Democrats	78	6.9%

Electorate 3,081 · Ballots cast 1,137 · Back to ward index

Riverfield · single-seat

Marginal winner 55.4% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −5.4 pts Valid ballots 946

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Thompson, B.	Liberal Democrats	524	55.4%	Elected
2	Robertson, J.	Conservative and Unionist Party	223	23.6%
3	Mann, N.	Labour Party	143	15.1%
4	Stachowiak, D.	Green Party	56	5.9%

Electorate 2,943 · Ballots cast 946 · Back to ward index

Great Denham · single-seat

Marginal winner 57.1% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −7.1 pts Valid ballots 1,092

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Weir, J.	Conservative and Unionist Party	623	57.1%	Elected
2	Szaub-Newton, J.	Liberal Democrats	295	27.0%
3	Teahleel, M.	Labour Party	132	12.1%
4	Crowhurst, T.	Green Party	42	3.8%

Electorate 3,158 · Ballots cast 1,092 · Back to ward index

Harrold · single-seat

Marginal winner 60.6% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −10.6 pts Valid ballots 1,303

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Foster, A.	Conservative and Unionist Party	789	60.6%	Elected
2	Thomson, J.	Liberal Democrats	190	14.6%
3	Bevan, D.	Labour Party	164	12.6%
4	Lynch, N.	Green Party	160	12.3%

Electorate 3,209 · Ballots cast 1,303 · Back to ward index

Riseley · single-seat

Marginal winner 62.1% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −12.1 pts Valid ballots 1,393

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Towler, M.	Conservative and Unionist Party	865	62.1%	Elected
2	Rodriguez, M.	Labour Party	265	19.0%
3	Hill, J.	Green Party	142	10.2%
4	Marchant, L.	Liberal Democrats	121	8.7%

Electorate 3,212 · Ballots cast 1,393 · Back to ward index

Kempston North · single-seat

Marginal winner 64.8% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −14.8 pts Valid ballots 1,026

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Oliver, S.	Labour Party	665	64.8%	Elected
2	Hedison, E.	Conservative and Unionist Party	233	22.7%
3	Fitzgerald, L.	Green Party	78	7.6%
4	Shah, B.	Liberal Democrats	50	4.9%

Electorate 3,228 · Ballots cast 1,026 · Back to ward index

Sharnbrook · single-seat

Marginal winner 67.0% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −17.0 pts Valid ballots 1,411

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	McMurdo, D.	Independent	946	67.0%	Elected
2	Hansen-Luke, D.	Conservative and Unionist Party	252	17.9%
3	McEwan, T.	Labour Party	123	8.7%
4	Stekelis, P.	Liberal Democrats	90	6.4%

Electorate 3,185 · Ballots cast 1,411 · Back to ward index

Kempston West · single-seat

Marginal winner 68.6% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −18.6 pts Valid ballots 897

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Valentine, J.	Labour Party	615	68.6%	Elected
2	Wootton, E.	Conservative and Unionist Party	191	21.3%
3	Kaur, P.	Liberal Democrats	60	6.7%
4	Long, J.	Green Party	26	2.9%
5	Keaney, M.	CPB	5	0.6%

Electorate 3,119 · Ballots cast 897 · Back to ward index

Great Barford · single-seat

Marginal winner 69.9% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −19.9 pts Valid ballots 1,117

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Martin-Moran-Bryant, P.	Conservative and Unionist Party	781	69.9%	Elected
2	Waltham, T.	Green Party	160	14.3%
3	Smith, M.	Liberal Democrats	103	9.2%
4	Stimson, H.	Labour Party	73	6.5%

Electorate 2,752 · Ballots cast 1,117 · Back to ward index

Wyboston · single-seat

Marginal winner 76.0% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −26.0 pts Valid ballots 1,155

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Wootton, T.	Conservative and Unionist Party	878	76.0%	Elected
2	Townsend, T.	Liberal Democrats	156	13.5%
3	Nicholls, I.	Labour Party	121	10.5%

Electorate 2,875 · Ballots cast 1,155 · Back to ward index

Kempston South · single-seat

Marginal winner 82.8% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −32.8 pts Valid ballots 1,090

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Meader, C.	Labour Party	902	82.8%	Elected
2	Ryan, B.	Conservative and Unionist Party	113	10.4%
3	Trengrove, J.	Liberal Democrats	44	4.0%
4	Patel, S.	Green Party	31	2.8%

Electorate 3,256 · Ballots cast 1,090 · Back to ward index