← Breckland (all cycles) · 4 May 2023 cohort

Breckland 2023

Local elections held 4 May 2023.

27 ward races

49 seats

36 elected below the proportional quota

73.5% 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 27 wards in this cycle, parties received the vote totals below. The proportional column shows what each party would have won if the 49 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	24,550	44.6%	30	61.2%	23	46.9%	+7
Labour Party	15,380	28.0%	12	24.5%	14	28.6%	-2
Independent	8,984	16.3%	5	10.2%	8	16.3%	-3
Liberal Democrats	3,170	5.8%	1	2.0%	2	4.1%	-1
Green Party	2,464	4.5%	1	2.0%	2	4.1%	-1
Reform UK	313	0.6%	0	0.0%	0	0.0%	0
UK Independence Party (UKIP)	153	0.3%	0	0.0%	0	0.0%	0
Total	55,014	100.0%	49	100.0%	49	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.

Thetford Castle · 2 seats · won at 21.3% · +12.0 pts below quota
Shipdham-with-Scarning · 2 seats · won at 22.0% · +11.4 pts below quota
Attleborough Burgh & Haverscroft · 2 seats · won at 22.2% · +11.2 pts below quota
Attleborough Queens & Besthorpe · 3 seats · won at 14.7% · +10.3 pts below quota
All Saints & Wayland · 2 seats · won at 23.4% · +9.9 pts below quota
Dereham Neatherd · 3 seats · won at 15.4% · +9.6 pts below quota
Hermitage · 1 seat · won at 41.1% · +8.9 pts below quota
Watton · 3 seats · won at 16.6% · +8.4 pts below quota
Swaffham · 3 seats · won at 16.6% · +8.4 pts below quota
Mattishall · 2 seats · won at 25.2% · +8.1 pts below quota
Lincoln · 2 seats · won at 25.6% · +7.8 pts below quota
Dereham Toftwood · 2 seats · won at 25.7% · +7.6 pts below quota
Thetford Burrell · 2 seats · won at 26.2% · +7.1 pts below quota
Upper Wensum · 2 seats · won at 27.2% · +6.2 pts below quota
Thetford Priory · 2 seats · won at 29.0% · +4.3 pts below quota
Thetford Boudica · 2 seats · won at 30.8% · +2.5 pts below quota
Dereham Withburga · 2 seats · won at 31.8% · +1.6 pts below quota
Saham Toney · 2 seats · won at 32.6% · +0.7 pts below quota
Forest · 2 seats · won at 34.1% · above quota
Necton · 1 seat · won at 50.9% · above quota
Launditch · 1 seat · won at 51.8% · above quota
Bedingfeld · 1 seat · won at 52.6% · above quota
Guiltcross · 1 seat · won at 53.5% · above quota
The Buckenhams & Banham · 1 seat · won at 59.9% · above quota
Nar Valley · 1 seat · won at 61.5% · above quota
Harling & Heathlands · 1 seat · won at 64.2% · above quota
Ashill · 1 seat · won at 69.6% · above quota

Race results

Thetford Castle · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 21.3% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +12.0 pts below quota Valid ballots 1,940

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Blackbourn, A.	Labour Party	465	24.0%	Elected
2	McCambridge, H.	Labour Party	414	21.3%	Elected
3	James, J.	Conservative and Unionist Party	318	16.4%
4	Brame, R.	Conservative and Unionist Party	305	15.7%
5	Robb, K.	Independent	159	8.2%
6	Crawford, D.	UK Independence Party (UKIP)	153	7.9%
7	Karim, I.	Independent	126	6.5%

Electorate 4,397 · Ballots cast 1,940 · Back to ward index

Shipdham-with-Scarning · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 22.0% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +11.4 pts below quota Valid ballots 2,284

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Hewett, P.	Conservative and Unionist Party	549	24.0%	Elected
2	Turner, L.	Conservative and Unionist Party	502	22.0%	Elected
3	Kinnaird, T.	Labour Party	438	19.2%
4	O'Neil, M.	Labour Party	353	15.5%
5	Plank, G.	Green Party	271	11.9%
6	Daynes, S.	Reform UK	171	7.5%

Electorate 4,361 · Ballots cast 2,284 · Back to ward index

Attleborough Burgh & Haverscroft · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 22.2% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +11.2 pts below quota Valid ballots 1,944

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Taylor, T.	Conservative and Unionist Party	613	31.5%	Elected
2	Fraser, S.	Independent	431	22.2%	Elected
3	Barron, M.	Conservative and Unionist Party	378	19.4%
4	Hodgkinson, D.	Labour Party	278	14.3%
5	Stewart, T.	Labour Party	244	12.6%

Electorate 4,087 · Ballots cast 1,944 · Back to ward index

Attleborough Queens & Besthorpe · 3-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 14.7% Proportional quota 25.0% Difference +10.3 pts below quota Valid ballots 3,794

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Taylor, S.	Conservative and Unionist Party	685	18.1%	Elected
2	Ashby, T.	Conservative and Unionist Party	685	18.1%	Elected
3	Oliver, R.	Conservative and Unionist Party	558	14.7%	Elected
4	Solloway-Brown, M.	Labour Party	484	12.8%
5	Smith, P.	Labour Party	421	11.1%
6	Peters, V.	Labour Party	410	10.8%
7	Lane, D.	Independent	409	10.8%
8	Kher, K.	Reform UK	142	3.7%

Electorate 6,143 · Ballots cast 3,794 · Back to ward index

All Saints & Wayland · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 23.4% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +9.9 pts below quota Valid ballots 3,374

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Suggitt, S.	Conservative and Unionist Party	848	25.1%	Elected
2	Cowen, P.	Conservative and Unionist Party	790	23.4%	Elected
3	Minto, I.	Liberal Democrats	626	18.6%
4	Behrendt, U.	Liberal Democrats	504	14.9%
5	Szczepanowski, E.	Labour Party	305	9.0%
6	Szczepanowski, P.	Labour Party	301	8.9%

Electorate 5,483 · Ballots cast 3,374 · Back to ward index

Dereham Neatherd · 3-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 15.4% Proportional quota 25.0% Difference +9.6 pts below quota Valid ballots 4,560

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Webb, A.	Conservative and Unionist Party	828	18.2%	Elected
2	Monument, L.	Conservative and Unionist Party	744	16.3%	Elected
3	Richmond, W.	Conservative and Unionist Party	701	15.4%	Elected
4	Morton, P.	Green Party	688	15.1%
5	Flint, Z.	Independent	569	12.5%
6	Myhill, I.	Labour Party	555	12.2%
7	Hawkes, H.	Labour Party	475	10.4%

Electorate 5,947 · Ballots cast 4,560 · Back to ward index

Hermitage · single-seat

Marginal winner 41.1% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference +8.9 pts below quota Valid ballots 768

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Thurbon, M.	Liberal Democrats	316	41.1%	Elected
2	Hambidge, R.	Conservative and Unionist Party	297	38.7%
3	Barnard, J.	Labour Party	155	20.2%

Electorate 2,266 · Ballots cast 768 · Back to ward index

Watton · 3-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 16.6% Proportional quota 25.0% Difference +8.4 pts below quota Valid ballots 4,650

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Gilbert, K.	Independent	903	19.4%	Elected
2	Bowes, C.	Conservative and Unionist Party	798	17.2%	Elected
3	Kiddell, T.	Conservative and Unionist Party	770	16.6%	Elected
4	Warwick, P.	Independent	485	10.4%
5	Turrant, G.	Independent	466	10.0%
6	English, B.	Labour Party	341	7.3%
7	Dujon, A.	Labour Party	303	6.5%
8	Keidan-Cooper, J.	Green Party	299	6.4%
9	Hale, B.	Labour Party	285	6.1%

Electorate 6,999 · Ballots cast 4,650 · Back to ward index

Swaffham · 3-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 16.6% Proportional quota 25.0% Difference +8.4 pts below quota Valid ballots 5,058

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Anscombe, J.	Independent	925	18.3%	Elected
2	Morton, J.	Conservative and Unionist Party	847	16.7%	Elected
3	Wickerson, D.	Independent	838	16.6%	Elected
4	Darby, P.	Conservative and Unionist Party	835	16.5%
5	Wade, B.	Independent	832	16.4%
6	Smart, L.	Conservative and Unionist Party	781	15.4%

Electorate 7,053 · Ballots cast 5,058 · Back to ward index

Mattishall · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 25.2% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +8.1 pts below quota Valid ballots 2,513

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Claussen, P.	Conservative and Unionist Party	680	27.1%	Elected
2	Plummer, P.	Conservative and Unionist Party	633	25.2%	Elected
3	Burrell, B.	Labour Party	620	24.7%
4	Bowyer, A.	Green Party	580	23.1%

Electorate 4,516 · Ballots cast 2,513 · Back to ward index

Lincoln · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 25.6% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +7.8 pts below quota Valid ballots 2,375

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Atterwill, R.	Independent	958	40.3%	Elected
2	Duffield, R.	Conservative and Unionist Party	607	25.6%	Elected
3	Glavin, D.	Labour Party	421	17.7%
4	Wood, P.	Conservative and Unionist Party	389	16.4%

Electorate 4,271 · Ballots cast 2,375 · Back to ward index

Dereham Toftwood · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 25.7% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +7.6 pts below quota Valid ballots 2,157

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Cogman, K.	Labour Party	572	26.5%	Elected
2	Simpson, S.	Labour Party	555	25.7%	Elected
3	Green, S.	Conservative and Unionist Party	518	24.0%
4	Duigan, P.	Conservative and Unionist Party	512	23.7%

Electorate 4,540 · Ballots cast 2,157 · Back to ward index

Thetford Burrell · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 26.2% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +7.1 pts below quota Valid ballots 1,793

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Harvey, C.	Labour Party	546	30.5%	Elected
2	Blackbourn, D.	Labour Party	470	26.2%	Elected
3	Barreto, C.	Independent	293	16.3%
4	Mealing, G.	Independent	258	14.4%
5	Seys, B.	Independent	226	12.6%

Electorate 4,229 · Ballots cast 1,793 · Back to ward index

Upper Wensum · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 27.2% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +6.2 pts below quota Valid ballots 3,374

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Bambridge, G.	Conservative and Unionist Party	946	28.0%	Elected
2	Borrett, B.	Conservative and Unionist Party	917	27.2%	Elected
3	Foley, M.	Liberal Democrats	823	24.4%
4	Norman, R.	Liberal Democrats	688	20.4%

Electorate 5,204 · Ballots cast 3,374 · Back to ward index

Thetford Priory · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 29.0% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +4.3 pts below quota Valid ballots 1,899

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Jermy, T.	Labour Party	629	33.1%	Elected
2	Brindle, M.	Labour Party	551	29.0%	Elected
3	Wood, R.	Independent	320	16.9%
4	Margrie, G.	Independent	200	10.5%
5	Taylor, M.	Independent	199	10.5%

Electorate 4,988 · Ballots cast 1,899 · Back to ward index

Thetford Boudica · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 30.8% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +2.5 pts below quota Valid ballots 1,547

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Terry, S.	Labour Party	505	32.6%	Elected
2	Land, T.	Labour Party	477	30.8%	Elected
3	Tullett, B.	Conservative and Unionist Party	324	20.9%
4	Marketis, Z.	Independent	123	8.0%
5	Reynolds, P.	Independent	118	7.6%

Electorate 3,550 · Ballots cast 1,547 · Back to ward index

Dereham Withburga · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 31.8% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +1.6 pts below quota Valid ballots 1,807

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Clarke, H.	Labour Party	665	36.8%	Elected
2	O'Callaghan, R.	Labour Party	574	31.8%	Elected
3	Hunter-Clarke, R.	Conservative and Unionist Party	305	16.9%
4	Rogers, J.	Conservative and Unionist Party	263	14.6%

Electorate 4,329 · Ballots cast 1,807 · Back to ward index

Saham Toney · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 32.6% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +0.7 pts below quota Valid ballots 1,604

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Crane, H.	Conservative and Unionist Party	674	42.0%	Elected
2	Bate, P.	Green Party	523	32.6%	Elected
3	Sawyer, D.	Conservative and Unionist Party	407	25.4%

Electorate 4,186 · Ballots cast 1,604 · Back to ward index

Forest · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 34.1% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference −0.8 pts Valid ballots 1,334

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Chapman-Allen, S.	Conservative and Unionist Party	469	35.2%	Elected
2	Kybird, R.	Conservative and Unionist Party	455	34.1%	Elected
3	Ross-Smith, V.	Labour Party	217	16.3%
4	Stirrup, M.	Labour Party	193	14.5%

Electorate 2,487 · Ballots cast 1,334 · Back to ward index

Necton · single-seat

Marginal winner 50.9% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −0.9 pts Valid ballots 780

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Wilkin, N.	Conservative and Unionist Party	397	50.9%	Elected
2	Sisto, J.	Labour Party	383	49.1%

Electorate 2,191 · Ballots cast 780 · Back to ward index

Launditch · single-seat

Marginal winner 51.8% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −1.8 pts Valid ballots 730

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Kiddle-Morris, M.	Conservative and Unionist Party	378	51.8%	Elected
2	Weatherill, M.	Liberal Democrats	213	29.2%
3	Siegert, P.	Labour Party	139	19.0%

Electorate 2,094 · Ballots cast 730 · Back to ward index

Bedingfeld · single-seat

Marginal winner 52.6% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −2.6 pts Valid ballots 717

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Sherwood, I.	Conservative and Unionist Party	377	52.6%	Elected
2	Jefferson, D.	Labour Party	194	27.1%
3	Hargreaves, R.	Independent	146	20.4%

Electorate 2,450 · Ballots cast 717 · Back to ward index

Guiltcross · single-seat

Marginal winner 53.5% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −3.5 pts Valid ballots 895

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Chapman-Allen, M.	Conservative and Unionist Party	479	53.5%	Elected
2	Bernard, L.	Labour Party	416	46.5%

Electorate 2,577 · Ballots cast 895 · Back to ward index

The Buckenhams & Banham · single-seat

Marginal winner 59.9% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −9.9 pts Valid ballots 812

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Askew, S.	Conservative and Unionist Party	486	59.9%	Elected
2	Sumner, B.	Labour Party	326	40.1%

Electorate 2,637 · Ballots cast 812 · Back to ward index

Nar Valley · single-seat

Marginal winner 61.5% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −11.5 pts Valid ballots 740

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Wilkinson, P.	Conservative and Unionist Party	455	61.5%	Elected
2	Wilson, C.	Labour Party	285	38.5%

Electorate 2,275 · Ballots cast 740 · Back to ward index

Harling & Heathlands · single-seat

Marginal winner 64.2% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −14.2 pts Valid ballots 776

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Nunn, W.	Conservative and Unionist Party	498	64.2%	Elected
2	Balster, H.	Labour Party	278	35.8%

Electorate 2,681 · Ballots cast 776 · Back to ward index

Ashill · single-seat

Marginal winner 69.6% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −19.6 pts Valid ballots 789

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Eagle, F.	Conservative and Unionist Party	549	69.6%	Elected
2	Newell, N.	Labour Party	137	17.4%
3	Rix, A.	Green Party	103	13.1%

Electorate 2,240 · Ballots cast 789 · Back to ward index