← Colchester (all cycles) · 4 May 2023 cohort
Colchester 2023
Local elections held 4 May 2023.
Each race compares the marginal winner's share of valid ballots to the proportional quota — the share they'd need under any common proportional method. How the numbers are derived →
If votes were counted by party
Across the 17 wards in this cycle, parties received the vote totals below. The proportional column shows what each party would have won if the 17 seats had been shared out in proportion to votes received (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; negative are parties it under-represented.
| Party | Votes | Vote % | Seats won | % of seats | Proportional seats | Proportional % | Δ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conservative Party | 13,216 | 30.5% | 6 | 35.3% | 6 | 35.3% | 0 |
| Liberal Democrats | 13,116 | 30.3% | 6 | 35.3% | 5 | 29.4% | +1 |
| Labour Party | 10,610 | 24.5% | 4 | 23.5% | 4 | 23.5% | 0 |
| Green Party | 4,412 | 10.2% | 1 | 5.9% | 2 | 11.8% | -1 |
| Independent | 1,368 | 3.2% | 0 | 0.0% | 0 | 0.0% | 0 |
| Reform UK | 568 | 1.3% | 0 | 0.0% | 0 | 0.0% | 0 |
| Total | 43,290 | 100.0% | 17 | 100.0% | 17 | 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.
Council composition: what this election replaced
Two opencouncildata snapshots: the council immediately after the 2023 election (current) and immediately before it (2022). Only ~⅓ of seats were contested in 2023 — most of the bench is unchanged, and the cycle's effect on the overall composition is what shifts.
Wards in this council
Sorted with the largest gap below the quota first. Click any ward to jump to its full result.
- Shrub End · 1 seat · won at 39.3% · −10.7 pts below quota
- Mersea and Pyefleet · 1 seat · won at 40.1% · −9.9 pts below quota
- New Town and Christ Church · 1 seat · won at 41.9% · −8.1 pts below quota
- Prettygate · 1 seat · won at 42.0% · −8.0 pts below quota
- Highwoods · 1 seat · won at 46.5% · −3.5 pts below quota
- Castle · 1 seat · won at 50.4% · above quota
- St Anne's and St John's · 1 seat · won at 53.6% · above quota
- Tiptree · 1 seat · won at 54.5% · above quota
- Marks Tey and Layer · 1 seat · won at 54.8% · above quota
- Rural North · 1 seat · won at 55.9% · above quota
- Lexden and Braiswick · 1 seat · won at 58.1% · above quota
- Stanway · 1 seat · won at 59.0% · above quota
- Old Heath and the Hythe · 1 seat · won at 59.3% · above quota
- Greenstead · 1 seat · won at 59.3% · above quota
- Mile End · 1 seat · won at 61.2% · above quota
- Berechurch · 1 seat · won at 66.1% · above quota
- Wivenhoe · 1 seat · won at 73.6% · above quota
Race results
Shrub End · single-seat
Marginal winner Winning candidate's share of valid ballots. 39.3% Proportional quota 50.0% Below quota Marginal winner's share minus the proportional quota for this race. Negative = below; positive = above. −10.7 pts Valid ballots (est.) Estimated voters: total votes ÷ 1 seats. Source data does not publish a ballot count for this cycle. 2,127
| Rank | Candidate | Party | Votes | Share of votes Candidate votes ÷ total votes cast in this ward. Matches the share the council publishes. | Below quota Each elected candidate's share of valid ballots minus the proportional quota for this race. Negative = won the seat below the quota; positive = cleared it. | Elected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | McCarthy, S. | Liberal Democrats | 835 | 39.3% | −10.7 pts | Elected |
| 2 | Hayes, L. | Labour Party | 720 | 33.9% | — | |
| 3 | Linghorn-Baker, A. | Conservative Party | 455 | 21.4% | — | |
| 4 | Dodd, S. | Green Party | 117 | 5.5% | — |
Mersea and Pyefleet · single-seat
Marginal winner Winning candidate's share of valid ballots. 40.1% Proportional quota 50.0% Below quota Marginal winner's share minus the proportional quota for this race. Negative = below; positive = above. −9.9 pts Valid ballots (est.) Estimated voters: total votes ÷ 1 seats. Source data does not publish a ballot count for this cycle. 3,102
| Rank | Candidate | Party | Votes | Share of votes Candidate votes ÷ total votes cast in this ward. Matches the share the council publishes. | Below quota Each elected candidate's share of valid ballots minus the proportional quota for this race. Negative = won the seat below the quota; positive = cleared it. | Elected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Powling, C. | Conservative Party | 1,244 | 40.1% | −9.9 pts | Elected |
| 2 | Akker, J. | Independent | 994 | 32.0% | — | |
| 3 | Hayton, W. | Labour Party | 306 | 9.9% | — | |
| 4 | Knight, J. | Liberal Democrats | 202 | 6.5% | — | |
| 5 | Holt, S. | Reform UK | 193 | 6.2% | — | |
| 6 | Kirkby-Taylor, R. | Green Party | 163 | 5.3% | — |
New Town and Christ Church · single-seat
Marginal winner Winning candidate's share of valid ballots. 41.9% Proportional quota 50.0% Below quota Marginal winner's share minus the proportional quota for this race. Negative = below; positive = above. −8.1 pts Valid ballots (est.) Estimated voters: total votes ÷ 1 seats. Source data does not publish a ballot count for this cycle. 3,105
| Rank | Candidate | Party | Votes | Share of votes Candidate votes ÷ total votes cast in this ward. Matches the share the council publishes. | Below quota Each elected candidate's share of valid ballots minus the proportional quota for this race. Negative = won the seat below the quota; positive = cleared it. | Elected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | McLean, S. | Labour Party | 1,301 | 41.9% | −8.1 pts | Elected |
| 2 | Spindler, C. | Liberal Democrats | 990 | 31.9% | — | |
| 3 | Piggott, C. | Conservative Party | 399 | 12.9% | — | |
| 4 | Partridge, I. | Independent | 208 | 6.7% | — | |
| 5 | Brannan, R. | Green Party | 207 | 6.7% | — |
Prettygate · single-seat
Marginal winner Winning candidate's share of valid ballots. 42.0% Proportional quota 50.0% Below quota Marginal winner's share minus the proportional quota for this race. Negative = below; positive = above. −8.0 pts Valid ballots (est.) Estimated voters: total votes ÷ 1 seats. Source data does not publish a ballot count for this cycle. 3,098
| Rank | Candidate | Party | Votes | Share of votes Candidate votes ÷ total votes cast in this ward. Matches the share the council publishes. | Below quota Each elected candidate's share of valid ballots minus the proportional quota for this race. Negative = won the seat below the quota; positive = cleared it. | Elected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tate, L. | Conservative Party | 1,301 | 42.0% | −8.0 pts | Elected |
| 2 | Loxley, J. | Liberal Democrats | 1,279 | 41.3% | — | |
| 3 | Bourne, R. | Labour Party | 366 | 11.8% | — | |
| 4 | Edgoose, N. | Green Party | 152 | 4.9% | — |
Highwoods · single-seat
Marginal winner Winning candidate's share of valid ballots. 46.5% Proportional quota 50.0% Below quota Marginal winner's share minus the proportional quota for this race. Negative = below; positive = above. −3.5 pts Valid ballots (est.) Estimated voters: total votes ÷ 1 seats. Source data does not publish a ballot count for this cycle. 2,211
| Rank | Candidate | Party | Votes | Share of votes Candidate votes ÷ total votes cast in this ward. Matches the share the council publishes. | Below quota Each elected candidate's share of valid ballots minus the proportional quota for this race. Negative = won the seat below the quota; positive = cleared it. | Elected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jay, A. | Liberal Democrats | 1,029 | 46.5% | −3.5 pts | Elected |
| 2 | Bacon, P. | Labour Party | 722 | 32.7% | — | |
| 3 | Linghorn-Baker, D. | Conservative Party | 375 | 17.0% | — | |
| 4 | Meadows, R. | Green Party | 85 | 3.8% | — |
Castle · single-seat
Marginal winner Winning candidate's share of valid ballots. 50.4% Proportional quota 50.0% Below quota Marginal winner's share minus the proportional quota for this race. Negative = below; positive = above. +0.4 pts Valid ballots (est.) Estimated voters: total votes ÷ 1 seats. Source data does not publish a ballot count for this cycle. 2,727
| Rank | Candidate | Party | Votes | Share of votes Candidate votes ÷ total votes cast in this ward. Matches the share the council publishes. | Below quota Each elected candidate's share of valid ballots minus the proportional quota for this race. Negative = won the seat below the quota; positive = cleared it. | Elected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Goacher, M. | Green Party | 1,374 | 50.4% | +0.4 pts | Elected |
| 2 | Crow, S. | Conservative Party | 655 | 24.0% | — | |
| 3 | Jasper, C. | Labour Party | 492 | 18.0% | — | |
| 4 | Gillingham, M. | Liberal Democrats | 206 | 7.6% | — |
St Anne's and St John's · single-seat
Marginal winner Winning candidate's share of valid ballots. 53.6% Proportional quota 50.0% Below quota Marginal winner's share minus the proportional quota for this race. Negative = below; positive = above. +3.6 pts Valid ballots (est.) Estimated voters: total votes ÷ 1 seats. Source data does not publish a ballot count for this cycle. 2,558
| Rank | Candidate | Party | Votes | Share of votes Candidate votes ÷ total votes cast in this ward. Matches the share the council publishes. | Below quota Each elected candidate's share of valid ballots minus the proportional quota for this race. Negative = won the seat below the quota; positive = cleared it. | Elected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sommers, N. | Liberal Democrats | 1,370 | 53.6% | +3.6 pts | Elected |
| 2 | Knight, R. | Conservative Party | 681 | 26.6% | — | |
| 3 | Chambers, A. | Labour Party | 346 | 13.5% | — | |
| 4 | Dwyer, S. | Green Party | 161 | 6.3% | — |
Tiptree · single-seat
Marginal winner Winning candidate's share of valid ballots. 54.5% Proportional quota 50.0% Below quota Marginal winner's share minus the proportional quota for this race. Negative = below; positive = above. +4.5 pts Valid ballots (est.) Estimated voters: total votes ÷ 1 seats. Source data does not publish a ballot count for this cycle. 2,440
| Rank | Candidate | Party | Votes | Share of votes Candidate votes ÷ total votes cast in this ward. Matches the share the council publishes. | Below quota Each elected candidate's share of valid ballots minus the proportional quota for this race. Negative = won the seat below the quota; positive = cleared it. | Elected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dundas, P. | Conservative Party | 1,329 | 54.5% | +4.5 pts | Elected |
| 2 | Holford, E. | Labour Party | 419 | 17.2% | — | |
| 3 | Stevens, J. | Liberal Democrats | 260 | 10.7% | — | |
| 4 | Burgess, C. | Green Party | 222 | 9.1% | — | |
| 5 | Girling, A. | Reform UK | 210 | 8.6% | — |
Marks Tey and Layer · single-seat
Marginal winner Winning candidate's share of valid ballots. 54.8% Proportional quota 50.0% Below quota Marginal winner's share minus the proportional quota for this race. Negative = below; positive = above. +4.8 pts Valid ballots (est.) Estimated voters: total votes ÷ 1 seats. Source data does not publish a ballot count for this cycle. 2,399
| Rank | Candidate | Party | Votes | Share of votes Candidate votes ÷ total votes cast in this ward. Matches the share the council publishes. | Below quota Each elected candidate's share of valid ballots minus the proportional quota for this race. Negative = won the seat below the quota; positive = cleared it. | Elected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ellis, A. | Conservative Party | 1,314 | 54.8% | +4.8 pts | Elected |
| 2 | Spademan, J. | Labour Party | 517 | 21.6% | — | |
| 3 | De-Col, L. | Liberal Democrats | 285 | 11.9% | — | |
| 4 | Sheridan, J. | Green Party | 283 | 11.8% | — |
Rural North · single-seat
Marginal winner Winning candidate's share of valid ballots. 55.9% Proportional quota 50.0% Below quota Marginal winner's share minus the proportional quota for this race. Negative = below; positive = above. +5.9 pts Valid ballots (est.) Estimated voters: total votes ÷ 1 seats. Source data does not publish a ballot count for this cycle. 2,909
| Rank | Candidate | Party | Votes | Share of votes Candidate votes ÷ total votes cast in this ward. Matches the share the council publishes. | Below quota Each elected candidate's share of valid ballots minus the proportional quota for this race. Negative = won the seat below the quota; positive = cleared it. | Elected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rowe, T. | Conservative Party | 1,625 | 55.9% | +5.9 pts | Elected |
| 2 | Maxwell, K. | Liberal Democrats | 481 | 16.5% | — | |
| 3 | Nichols, B. | Labour Party | 405 | 13.9% | — | |
| 4 | Burgess, J. | Green Party | 398 | 13.7% | — |
Lexden and Braiswick · single-seat
Marginal winner Winning candidate's share of valid ballots. 58.1% Proportional quota 50.0% Below quota Marginal winner's share minus the proportional quota for this race. Negative = below; positive = above. +8.1 pts Valid ballots (est.) Estimated voters: total votes ÷ 1 seats. Source data does not publish a ballot count for this cycle. 2,699
| Rank | Candidate | Party | Votes | Share of votes Candidate votes ÷ total votes cast in this ward. Matches the share the council publishes. | Below quota Each elected candidate's share of valid ballots minus the proportional quota for this race. Negative = won the seat below the quota; positive = cleared it. | Elected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Barber, L. | Conservative Party | 1,569 | 58.1% | +8.1 pts | Elected |
| 2 | Stevenson, T. | Liberal Democrats | 492 | 18.2% | — | |
| 3 | Bruce, S. | Labour Party | 380 | 14.1% | — | |
| 4 | Bamforth, R. | Green Party | 258 | 9.6% | — |
Stanway · single-seat
Marginal winner Winning candidate's share of valid ballots. 59.0% Proportional quota 50.0% Below quota Marginal winner's share minus the proportional quota for this race. Negative = below; positive = above. +9.0 pts Valid ballots (est.) Estimated voters: total votes ÷ 1 seats. Source data does not publish a ballot count for this cycle. 2,330
| Rank | Candidate | Party | Votes | Share of votes Candidate votes ÷ total votes cast in this ward. Matches the share the council publishes. | Below quota Each elected candidate's share of valid ballots minus the proportional quota for this race. Negative = won the seat below the quota; positive = cleared it. | Elected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Scott-Boutell, L. | Liberal Democrats | 1,375 | 59.0% | +9.0 pts | Elected |
| 2 | Seabrook, J. | Conservative Party | 698 | 30.0% | — | |
| 3 | Yates, I. | Labour Party | 180 | 7.7% | — | |
| 4 | Nelson, P. | Green Party | 77 | 3.3% | — |
Old Heath and the Hythe · single-seat
Marginal winner Winning candidate's share of valid ballots. 59.3% Proportional quota 50.0% Below quota Marginal winner's share minus the proportional quota for this race. Negative = below; positive = above. +9.3 pts Valid ballots (est.) Estimated voters: total votes ÷ 1 seats. Source data does not publish a ballot count for this cycle. 2,331
| Rank | Candidate | Party | Votes | Share of votes Candidate votes ÷ total votes cast in this ward. Matches the share the council publishes. | Below quota Each elected candidate's share of valid ballots minus the proportional quota for this race. Negative = won the seat below the quota; positive = cleared it. | Elected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Smalls, F. | Labour Party | 1,383 | 59.3% | +9.3 pts | Elected |
| 2 | Martin, R. | Conservative Party | 366 | 15.7% | — | |
| 3 | Boughton, S. | Liberal Democrats | 235 | 10.1% | — | |
| 4 | Canessa, A. | Green Party | 181 | 7.8% | — | |
| 5 | Drew, J. | Independent | 166 | 7.1% | — |
Greenstead · single-seat
Marginal winner Winning candidate's share of valid ballots. 59.3% Proportional quota 50.0% Below quota Marginal winner's share minus the proportional quota for this race. Negative = below; positive = above. +9.3 pts Valid ballots (est.) Estimated voters: total votes ÷ 1 seats. Source data does not publish a ballot count for this cycle. 1,901
| Rank | Candidate | Party | Votes | Share of votes Candidate votes ÷ total votes cast in this ward. Matches the share the council publishes. | Below quota Each elected candidate's share of valid ballots minus the proportional quota for this race. Negative = won the seat below the quota; positive = cleared it. | Elected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Young, T. | Labour Party | 1,128 | 59.3% | +9.3 pts | Elected |
| 2 | Crees, D. | Conservative Party | 356 | 18.7% | — | |
| 3 | Whyborn, C. | Liberal Democrats | 199 | 10.5% | — | |
| 4 | Cross, L. | Green Party | 124 | 6.5% | — | |
| 5 | Blair, K. | Reform UK | 94 | 4.9% | — |
Mile End · single-seat
Marginal winner Winning candidate's share of valid ballots. 61.2% Proportional quota 50.0% Below quota Marginal winner's share minus the proportional quota for this race. Negative = below; positive = above. +11.2 pts Valid ballots (est.) Estimated voters: total votes ÷ 1 seats. Source data does not publish a ballot count for this cycle. 2,655
| Rank | Candidate | Party | Votes | Share of votes Candidate votes ÷ total votes cast in this ward. Matches the share the council publishes. | Below quota Each elected candidate's share of valid ballots minus the proportional quota for this race. Negative = won the seat below the quota; positive = cleared it. | Elected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Moffat, V. | Liberal Democrats | 1,624 | 61.2% | +11.2 pts | Elected |
| 2 | Butcher, P. | Conservative Party | 435 | 16.4% | — | |
| 3 | Pey, J. | Labour Party | 352 | 13.3% | — | |
| 4 | Kirke, A. | Green Party | 244 | 9.2% | — |
Berechurch · single-seat
Marginal winner Winning candidate's share of valid ballots. 66.1% Proportional quota 50.0% Below quota Marginal winner's share minus the proportional quota for this race. Negative = below; positive = above. +16.1 pts Valid ballots (est.) Estimated voters: total votes ÷ 1 seats. Source data does not publish a ballot count for this cycle. 1,867
| Rank | Candidate | Party | Votes | Share of votes Candidate votes ÷ total votes cast in this ward. Matches the share the council publishes. | Below quota Each elected candidate's share of valid ballots minus the proportional quota for this race. Negative = won the seat below the quota; positive = cleared it. | Elected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pearson, C. | Labour Party | 1,234 | 66.1% | +16.1 pts | Elected |
| 2 | Anbouche, A. | Conservative Party | 292 | 15.6% | — | |
| 3 | Collis, S. | Liberal Democrats | 171 | 9.2% | — | |
| 4 | Clifton, J. | Green Party | 99 | 5.3% | — | |
| 5 | Baker, D. | Reform UK | 71 | 3.8% | — |
Wivenhoe · single-seat
Marginal winner Winning candidate's share of valid ballots. 73.6% Proportional quota 50.0% Below quota Marginal winner's share minus the proportional quota for this race. Negative = below; positive = above. +23.6 pts Valid ballots (est.) Estimated voters: total votes ÷ 1 seats. Source data does not publish a ballot count for this cycle. 2,831
| Rank | Candidate | Party | Votes | Share of votes Candidate votes ÷ total votes cast in this ward. Matches the share the council publishes. | Below quota Each elected candidate's share of valid ballots minus the proportional quota for this race. Negative = won the seat below the quota; positive = cleared it. | Elected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cory, M. | Liberal Democrats | 2,083 | 73.6% | +23.6 pts | Elected |
| 2 | Lowe, H. | Labour Party | 359 | 12.7% | — | |
| 3 | Wheatley, J. | Green Party | 267 | 9.4% | — | |
| 4 | Higginson, A. | Conservative Party | 122 | 4.3% | — |