← Bolton (all cycles) · 4 May 2023 cohort

Bolton 2023

Local elections held 4 May 2023.

20 ward races
60 seats
60 elected below the proportional quota
100.0% 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 20 wards in this cycle, parties received the vote totals below. The proportional column shows what each party would have won if the 60 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.

PartyVotesVote %Seats won% of seatsProportional seatsProportional %Δ
Labour Party76,90640.4%2643.3%2541.7%+1
Conservative and Unionist Party62,11732.7%1728.3%2033.3%-3
Liberal Democrats18,6369.8%610.0%610.0%0
REF & BFC9,2964.9%00.0%35.0%-3
H & B 1ST9,1824.8%610.0%35.0%+3
OK3,8142.0%35.0%11.7%+2
Green Party3,3881.8%00.0%11.7%-1
F & K 1ST3,0431.6%23.3%11.7%+1
IND CHOICE1,6210.9%00.0%00.0%0
LL & DL 1ST1,2460.7%00.0%00.0%0
WEST 1ST IND7420.4%00.0%00.0%0
NH2180.1%00.0%00.0%0
Independent300.0%00.0%00.0%0
Total190,239100.0%60100.0%60100.0%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.

Race results

Westhoughton South · 3-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 11.4% Proportional quota 25.0% Difference +13.6 pts below quota Valid ballots 8,945

RankCandidatePartyVotesShareElected
1Chadwick, D.Labour Party1,16313.0%Elected
2Wilkinson, D.Liberal Democrats1,14112.8%Elected
3Maher, N.Liberal Democrats1,02111.4%Elected
4McGeown, D.Liberal Democrats1,00811.3%
5McHugh, J.Labour Party99511.1%
6Millington, K.Labour Party97010.8%
7Eckersley-Fallon, R.Conservative and Unionist Party6377.1%
8Kirkman, C.Conservative and Unionist Party6277.0%
9Watters, A.Conservative and Unionist Party6116.8%
10Gough, S.WEST 1ST IND3493.9%
11Kemp, M.REF & BFC2312.6%
12Holt, S.REF & BFC1922.1%

Electorate 10,292 · Ballots cast 8,945 · Back to ward index

Westhoughton North & Hunger Hill · 3-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 11.5% Proportional quota 25.0% Difference +13.5 pts below quota Valid ballots 9,282

RankCandidatePartyVotesShareElected
1Price, A.Liberal Democrats1,13512.2%Elected
2Tighe, M.Conservative and Unionist Party1,11112.0%Elected
3Eckersley-Fallon, B.Conservative and Unionist Party1,06511.5%Elected
4Finney, A.Conservative and Unionist Party1,06411.5%
5Jackson, A.Liberal Democrats1,04911.3%
6Wroe, G.Liberal Democrats98110.6%
7Armstrong, A.Labour Party7598.2%
8Walsh, Z.Labour Party7167.7%
9Steiner, M.Labour Party6446.9%
10Speight, J.WEST 1ST IND3934.2%
11Haslam, S.REF & BFC1922.1%
12Rylance, H.Green Party1731.9%

Electorate 10,209 · Ballots cast 9,282 · Back to ward index

Little Lever & Darcy Lever · 3-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 11.9% Proportional quota 25.0% Difference +13.1 pts below quota Valid ballots 8,112

RankCandidatePartyVotesShareElected
1Taylor-Burke, A.Conservative and Unionist Party1,21315.0%Elected
2Meehan, D.Conservative and Unionist Party98612.2%Elected
3Barnard, L.Labour Party96411.9%Elected
4Khan, F.Conservative and Unionist Party8019.9%
5Fisk, J.Labour Party7859.7%
6Sproat, B.Labour Party7329.0%
7Hornby, S.LL & DL 1ST6648.2%
8Gibbon, R.LL & DL 1ST5827.2%
9Harris, K.REF & BFC4725.8%
10Johnson, S.REF & BFC3334.1%
11Varnam, B.REF & BFC3133.9%
12Martin, S.Liberal Democrats1131.4%
13Asghar, N.Liberal Democrats851.0%
14Wilkinson, M.Liberal Democrats690.9%

Electorate 9,591 · Ballots cast 8,112 · Back to ward index

Horwich North · 3-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 13.0% Proportional quota 25.0% Difference +12.0 pts below quota Valid ballots 11,468

RankCandidatePartyVotesShareElected
1Bamforth, R.H & B 1ST1,91016.7%Elected
2Rotheram, C.H & B 1ST1,70914.9%Elected
3Rigby, V.H & B 1ST1,49413.0%Elected
4McKeon, K.Labour Party1,46712.8%
5Jarvis, M.Labour Party1,39212.1%
6Watkin, S.Labour Party1,19310.4%
7Baines, M.Conservative and Unionist Party6255.4%
8Kyle, M.Conservative and Unionist Party4353.8%
9Elliott, R.Conservative and Unionist Party4273.7%
10Riesco, R.Green Party2382.1%
11Turner-Allen, M.Liberal Democrats2141.9%
12Carr, E.REF & BFC1581.4%
13Fairhurst, G.Liberal Democrats1161.0%
14Turner-Preece, C.Liberal Democrats900.8%

Electorate 11,093 · Ballots cast 11,468 · Back to ward index

Hulton · 3-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 14.4% Proportional quota 25.0% Difference +10.6 pts below quota Valid ballots 9,729

RankCandidatePartyVotesShareElected
1Shaikh, S.Labour Party1,43114.7%Elected
2Khan, A.Labour Party1,41214.5%Elected
3Bullock, D.Conservative and Unionist Party1,40014.4%Elected
4Hewitt, T.Conservative and Unionist Party1,39514.3%
5Pratheepan, L.Labour Party1,34613.8%
6Patel, S.Conservative and Unionist Party1,33113.7%
7Shepherd, W.Green Party3623.7%
8Armstrong, R.REF & BFC2983.1%
9Lowe, R.REF & BFC2622.7%
10Gradwell, D.Liberal Democrats1821.9%
11Maher, L.Liberal Democrats1631.7%
12Hough, R.Liberal Democrats1471.5%

Electorate 10,528 · Ballots cast 9,729 · Back to ward index

Astley Bridge · 3-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 14.5% Proportional quota 25.0% Difference +10.5 pts below quota Valid ballots 11,141

RankCandidatePartyVotesShareElected
1Fairclough, H.Conservative and Unionist Party2,03118.2%Elected
2Walsh, J.Conservative and Unionist Party1,69515.2%Elected
3Taylor, K.Labour Party1,61314.5%Elected
4Sutton, S.Labour Party1,59914.4%
5Rimmer, S.Conservative and Unionist Party1,59414.3%
6Zaman, H.Labour Party1,33912.0%
7Devereux, M.Green Party4183.8%
8Haslam, J.Liberal Democrats2572.3%
9Armstrong, M.REF & BFC2502.2%
10Mulligan, K.Liberal Democrats1751.6%
11Tonge, J.Liberal Democrats1701.5%

Electorate 11,442 · Ballots cast 11,141 · Back to ward index

Breightmet · 3-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 14.7% Proportional quota 25.0% Difference +10.3 pts below quota Valid ballots 8,563

RankCandidatePartyVotesShareElected
1Fielding, S.Labour Party1,38216.1%Elected
2Warren, A.Conservative and Unionist Party1,29315.1%Elected
3Morrisey, R.Labour Party1,26014.7%Elected
4Hartigan, S.Conservative and Unionist Party1,23214.4%
5Dean, M.Conservative and Unionist Party1,14613.4%
6Ulasi, U.Labour Party1,13113.2%
7Turner, C.REF & BFC3594.2%
8Sayers, J.REF & BFC3424.0%
9Gregory, D.REF & BFC2773.2%
10Godfrey, H.Liberal Democrats1411.6%

Electorate 10,705 · Ballots cast 8,563 · Back to ward index

Horwich South & Blackrod · 3-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 14.8% Proportional quota 25.0% Difference +10.2 pts below quota Valid ballots 8,609

RankCandidatePartyVotesShareElected
1Grant, D.H & B 1ST1,48117.2%Elected
2Wright, P.H & B 1ST1,31615.3%Elected
3Williamson, S.H & B 1ST1,27214.8%Elected
4Khan, F.Labour Party7668.9%
5Baines, S.Conservative and Unionist Party7528.7%
6Mohammed, N.Labour Party7478.7%
7Butler, G.Labour Party6747.8%
8Norris, P.Conservative and Unionist Party5426.3%
9Wright, H.Conservative and Unionist Party4995.8%
10Alker, H.Green Party2062.4%
11Richards, L.REF & BFC1131.3%
12Younge, O.Liberal Democrats931.1%
13Fairhurst, S.Liberal Democrats931.1%
14Turner-Preece, S.Liberal Democrats550.6%

Electorate 9,685 · Ballots cast 8,609 · Back to ward index

Farnworth South · 3-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 15.0% Proportional quota 25.0% Difference +10.0 pts below quota Valid ballots 6,020

RankCandidatePartyVotesShareElected
1Flitcroft, M.F & K 1ST1,18419.7%Elected
2Sanders, P.F & K 1ST1,17319.5%Elected
3Mistry, C.Labour Party90015.0%Elected
4Schofield, J.Labour Party87714.6%
5Khan, A.Labour Party84614.1%
6Armstrong, J.REF & BFC3816.3%
7Yates, N.Conservative and Unionist Party1712.8%
8Gillies, J.Liberal Democrats1372.3%
9Alom, K.Conservative and Unionist Party1141.9%
10Davda, Z.Conservative and Unionist Party1051.7%
11Macpherson, C.Liberal Democrats671.1%
12Cooper, R.Liberal Democrats651.1%

Electorate 9,536 · Ballots cast 6,020 · Back to ward index

Halliwell · 3-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 15.5% Proportional quota 25.0% Difference +9.5 pts below quota Valid ballots 12,297

RankCandidatePartyVotesShareElected
1Jiva, R.Labour Party2,08016.9%Elected
2Patel, S.Labour Party1,98316.1%Elected
3Morris, K.Labour Party1,91115.5%Elected
4Haji, M.Conservative and Unionist Party1,83414.9%
5Patel, S.Conservative and Unionist Party1,71513.9%
6Ugharadar, F.Conservative and Unionist Party1,68313.7%
7Cryer, N.REF & BFC2161.8%
8Fitzsimmons, G.REF & BFC1851.5%
9McLoughlin, M.Green Party1711.4%
10Nightingale, D.REF & BFC1681.4%
11Godfrey, F.Liberal Democrats1501.2%
12Stone, G.Liberal Democrats1020.8%
13Kay, K.Liberal Democrats990.8%

Electorate 10,329 · Ballots cast 12,297 · Back to ward index

Bromley Cross · 3-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 15.7% Proportional quota 25.0% Difference +9.3 pts below quota Valid ballots 10,362

RankCandidatePartyVotesShareElected
1Connor, S.Conservative and Unionist Party1,90318.4%Elected
2Cowen, A.Conservative and Unionist Party1,88318.2%Elected
3Muslim, N.Conservative and Unionist Party1,62715.7%Elected
4Brown, I.Labour Party1,20111.6%
5Canning, P.Labour Party1,19511.5%
6Cox, G.Labour Party1,04710.1%
7Harrison, L.Green Party3433.3%
8Armstrong, L.REF & BFC3383.3%
9Wilkes, J.Liberal Democrats1911.8%
10Atty, C.Liberal Democrats1831.8%
11Perrigo, A.REF & BFC1731.7%
12Marsden, R.REF & BFC1531.5%
13Turner-Allen, L.Liberal Democrats1251.2%

Electorate 9,742 · Ballots cast 10,362 · Back to ward index

Rumworth · 3-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 16.0% Proportional quota 25.0% Difference +9.0 pts below quota Valid ballots 13,968

RankCandidatePartyVotesShareElected
1Atcha, A.Labour Party2,49117.8%Elected
2Ali, S.Labour Party2,48417.8%Elected
3Khan, A.Labour Party2,23816.0%Elected
4Patel, A.Conservative and Unionist Party2,01914.5%
5Davda, Y.Conservative and Unionist Party1,97514.1%
6Abdullah, R.Conservative and Unionist Party1,82913.1%
7Johnson, A.Green Party3742.7%
8Johnson, G.Green Party2962.1%
9Speakman, C.REF & BFC1631.2%
10Hayes, J.Liberal Democrats990.7%

Electorate 11,436 · Ballots cast 13,968 · Back to ward index

Heaton, Lostock & Chew Moor · 3-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 16.2% Proportional quota 25.0% Difference +8.8 pts below quota Valid ballots 12,425

RankCandidatePartyVotesShareElected
1Cox, M.Conservative and Unionist Party2,11217.0%Elected
2Galloway, A.Conservative and Unionist Party2,05416.5%Elected
3Morgan, A.Conservative and Unionist Party2,01016.2%Elected
4Fisher, L.Labour Party1,1849.5%
5Gillatt, J.Labour Party1,1699.4%
6Kugathas, J.Labour Party1,0958.8%
7Campbell, G.IND CHOICE6845.5%
8Chadwick, S.IND CHOICE5414.4%
9Rock, S.IND CHOICE3963.2%
10Fairhurst, R.Liberal Democrats2992.4%
11Priest, J.Liberal Democrats2882.3%
12Martin, P.Liberal Democrats2852.3%
13McGreavy, G.REF & BFC2782.2%
14Halliwell, A.Independent300.2%

Electorate 11,189 · Ballots cast 12,425 · Back to ward index

Bradshaw · 3-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 16.5% Proportional quota 25.0% Difference +8.5 pts below quota Valid ballots 9,336

RankCandidatePartyVotesShareElected
1Moller, J.Conservative and Unionist Party1,65817.8%Elected
2Webb, L.Conservative and Unionist Party1,63717.5%Elected
3Dean, M.Conservative and Unionist Party1,53616.5%Elected
4Challender, K.Labour Party1,22413.1%
5Lovat, B.Labour Party1,08211.6%
6Kureshi, S.Labour Party99010.6%
7Howarth, S.Liberal Democrats3473.7%
8Robertson, J.Liberal Democrats3303.5%
9Harris, S.REF & BFC2833.0%
10Bagnall, D.Liberal Democrats2492.7%

Electorate 9,574 · Ballots cast 9,336 · Back to ward index

Smithills · 3-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 16.9% Proportional quota 25.0% Difference +8.1 pts below quota Valid ballots 10,004

RankCandidatePartyVotesShareElected
1Hayes, R.Liberal Democrats1,94419.4%Elected
2Priest, S.Liberal Democrats1,86718.7%Elected
3Veevers, G.Liberal Democrats1,68716.9%Elected
4Gillatt, N.Labour Party9229.2%
5Sesay, S.Labour Party8718.7%
6Akhtar, Z.Labour Party8288.3%
7Forshaw, C.Conservative and Unionist Party4734.7%
8Norris, C.Conservative and Unionist Party3933.9%
9Taylor, D.Conservative and Unionist Party3593.6%
10Attenborough, V.Green Party2862.9%
11Shaw, H.REF & BFC2032.0%
12Tonge, S.REF & BFC1711.7%

Electorate 10,503 · Ballots cast 10,004 · Back to ward index

Kearsley · 3-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 17.2% Proportional quota 25.0% Difference +7.8 pts below quota Valid ballots 6,519

RankCandidatePartyVotesShareElected
1Newall, D.OK1,35020.7%Elected
2Heslop, P.OK1,34320.6%Elected
3Livesey, M.OK1,12117.2%Elected
4Wilkinson, T.F & K 1ST68610.5%
5Hallworth, S.Labour Party4116.3%
6Gorman, E.Labour Party3855.9%
7Amedu, M.Labour Party3575.5%
8Cunningham, M.Conservative and Unionist Party2704.1%
9Ratcliffe, G.Conservative and Unionist Party2213.4%
10Pattison, J.REF & BFC1802.8%
11Croden, L.Conservative and Unionist Party1271.9%
12Cooper, C.Liberal Democrats280.4%
13Strawbridge, C.Liberal Democrats260.4%
14Strawbridge, J.Liberal Democrats140.2%

Electorate 9,192 · Ballots cast 6,519 · Back to ward index

Tonge with the Haulgh · 3-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 18.1% Proportional quota 25.0% Difference +6.9 pts below quota Valid ballots 7,743

RankCandidatePartyVotesShareElected
1Donaghy, M.Labour Party1,51819.6%Elected
2Peel, N.Labour Party1,44618.7%Elected
3Mort, E.Labour Party1,40118.1%Elected
4Bain, S.Conservative and Unionist Party77310.0%
5Tully, C.Conservative and Unionist Party7279.4%
6Lane, J.Conservative and Unionist Party7269.4%
7Jones, T.REF & BFC5276.8%
8Forrest, B.Liberal Democrats1942.5%
9Harasiwka, R.Liberal Democrats1592.1%
10Harasiwka, F.Liberal Democrats1552.0%
11Mcallister, A.NH1171.5%

Electorate 11,238 · Ballots cast 7,743 · Back to ward index

Great Lever · 3-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 18.4% Proportional quota 25.0% Difference +6.6 pts below quota Valid ballots 11,160

RankCandidatePartyVotesShareElected
1Ayub, M.Labour Party2,41021.6%Elected
2Iqbal, M.Labour Party2,28820.5%Elected
3Hon, K.Labour Party2,04818.4%Elected
4Nazar, M.Conservative and Unionist Party1,58014.2%
5Owen, S.Conservative and Unionist Party9708.7%
6Pathan, S.Conservative and Unionist Party9508.5%
7Alom, M.Green Party2802.5%
8Jones, T.REF & BFC1701.5%
9Worthington, P.REF & BFC1611.4%
10Farrell, M.Liberal Democrats1181.1%
11Learmonth, D.Liberal Democrats1010.9%
12Macpherson, D.Liberal Democrats840.8%

Electorate 11,377 · Ballots cast 11,160 · Back to ward index

Farnworth North · 3-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 19.4% Proportional quota 25.0% Difference +5.6 pts below quota Valid ballots 7,780

RankCandidatePartyVotesShareElected
1Khurram, H.Labour Party1,59820.5%Elected
2Ayub, N.Labour Party1,58020.3%Elected
3Haworth, S.Labour Party1,50819.4%Elected
4Mahmood, R.Conservative and Unionist Party5677.3%
5Armstrong, J.REF & BFC5206.7%
6Whitworth, S.REF & BFC4876.3%
7Tyler, R.Conservative and Unionist Party3474.5%
8Lawlor, K.REF & BFC3414.4%
9Hood, B.Conservative and Unionist Party2723.5%
10Kochitty, P.Green Party2413.1%
11Connor, W.Liberal Democrats1331.7%
12Connor, D.Liberal Democrats1141.5%
13Hunter, C.Liberal Democrats720.9%

Electorate 9,912 · Ballots cast 7,780 · Back to ward index

Queens Park & Central · 3-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 23.0% Proportional quota 25.0% Difference +2.0 pts below quota Valid ballots 6,776

RankCandidatePartyVotesShareElected
1Zaman, A.Labour Party1,67224.7%Elected
2Silvester, R.Labour Party1,62524.0%Elected
3Thomas, L.Labour Party1,56123.0%Elected
4Ajwani, H.Conservative and Unionist Party3545.2%
5Butt, H.Conservative and Unionist Party3475.1%
6Shah, S.Conservative and Unionist Party2844.2%
7Earp, T.REF & BFC2173.2%
8Harvey, S.REF & BFC1892.8%
9Ball, S.Liberal Democrats1632.4%
10Isherwood, M.Liberal Democrats1472.2%
11Tonge, A.Liberal Democrats1161.7%
12Massey, A.NH1011.5%

Electorate 9,818 · Ballots cast 6,776 · Back to ward index