← Lewes (all cycles) · 4 May 2023 cohort

Lewes 2023

Local elections held 4 May 2023.

21 ward races

41 seats

37 elected below the proportional quota

90.2% 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 21 wards in this cycle, parties received the vote totals below. The proportional column shows what each party would have won if the 41 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
Green Party	19,991	31.6%	17	41.5%	13	31.7%	+4
Liberal Democrats	17,610	27.8%	15	36.6%	12	29.3%	+3
Conservative and Unionist Party	13,893	21.9%	0	0.0%	9	22.0%	-9
Labour Party	10,522	16.6%	9	22.0%	7	17.1%	+2
Independent	1,163	1.8%	0	0.0%	0	0.0%	0
Reform UK	129	0.2%	0	0.0%	0	0.0%	0
Total	63,308	100.0%	41	100.0%	41	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.

Ditchling & Westmeston · 1 seat · won at 34.3% · +15.7 pts below quota
Seaford North · 2 seats · won at 20.3% · +13.0 pts below quota
Lewes Castle · 2 seats · won at 20.6% · +12.7 pts below quota
Seaford Central · 2 seats · won at 20.8% · +12.5 pts below quota
Seaford West · 2 seats · won at 21.8% · +11.6 pts below quota
Lewes Bridge · 2 seats · won at 21.8% · +11.5 pts below quota
Seaford East · 2 seats · won at 22.1% · +11.2 pts below quota
Lewes Priory · 3 seats · won at 15.0% · +10.0 pts below quota
Newhaven South · 3 seats · won at 15.5% · +9.5 pts below quota
Ouse Valley & Ringmer · 3 seats · won at 15.7% · +9.3 pts below quota
Chailey, Barcombe & Hamsey · 2 seats · won at 24.8% · +8.6 pts below quota
Peacehaven East · 2 seats · won at 25.3% · +8.0 pts below quota
Peacehaven North · 2 seats · won at 25.9% · +7.4 pts below quota
Seaford South · 2 seats · won at 26.4% · +6.9 pts below quota
Newhaven North · 2 seats · won at 27.5% · +5.8 pts below quota
Peacehaven West · 2 seats · won at 29.4% · +4.0 pts below quota
East Saltdean & Telscombe Cliffs · 3 seats · won at 22.4% · +2.6 pts below quota
Kingston · 1 seat · won at 47.5% · +2.5 pts below quota
Wivelsfield · 1 seat · won at 52.6% · above quota
Newick · 1 seat · won at 56.5% · above quota
Plumpton, Streat, East Chiltington & St John · 1 seat · won at 66.6% · above quota

Race results

Ditchling & Westmeston · single-seat

Marginal winner 34.3% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference +15.7 pts below quota Valid ballots 1,098

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Mellor, P.	Liberal Democrats	377	34.3%	Elected
2	Elford, E.	Green Party	365	33.2%
3	Jones, A.	Conservative and Unionist Party	356	32.4%

Electorate 1,980 · Ballots cast 1,098 · Back to ward index

Seaford North · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 20.3% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +13.0 pts below quota Valid ballots 2,786

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Meek, J.	Green Party	584	21.0%	Elected
2	Clay, R.	Green Party	566	20.3%	Elected
3	Lord, J.	Conservative and Unionist Party	414	14.9%
4	Lord, S.	Conservative and Unionist Party	409	14.7%
5	Everden, M.	Liberal Democrats	409	14.7%
6	Markwell, S.	Liberal Democrats	404	14.5%

Electorate 3,979 · Ballots cast 2,786 · Back to ward index

Lewes Castle · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 20.6% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +12.7 pts below quota Valid ballots 2,910

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Maples, W.	Green Party	696	23.9%	Elected
2	Kortalla-Bird, N.	Green Party	600	20.6%	Elected
3	Clarke, E.	Labour Party	572	19.7%
4	Catlin, S.	Labour Party	356	12.2%
5	Wood, K.	Liberal Democrats	236	8.1%
6	Parker, T.	Liberal Democrats	229	7.9%
7	Burman, D.	Conservative and Unionist Party	122	4.2%
8	French, K.	Conservative and Unionist Party	99	3.4%

Electorate 3,010 · Ballots cast 2,910 · Back to ward index

Seaford Central · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 20.8% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +12.5 pts below quota Valid ballots 2,512

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Gauntlett, S.	Liberal Democrats	632	25.2%	Elected
2	Hoareau, F.	Liberal Democrats	523	20.8%	Elected
3	Rutland, G.	Conservative and Unionist Party	411	16.4%
4	Sammarco, E.	Labour Party	297	11.8%
5	Purser, C.	Labour Party	276	11.0%
6	Sommerville, A.	Green Party	188	7.5%
7	Francomb, R.	Green Party	185	7.4%

Electorate 3,993 · Ballots cast 2,512 · Back to ward index

Seaford West · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 21.8% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +11.6 pts below quota Valid ballots 3,366

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Bristow, C.	Liberal Democrats	851	25.3%	Elected
2	Boniface, L.	Liberal Democrats	733	21.8%	Elected
3	Boorman, L.	Conservative and Unionist Party	663	19.7%
4	Payne, B.	Conservative and Unionist Party	606	18.0%
5	Burns, R.	Green Party	219	6.5%
6	McFarlane, G.	Green Party	155	4.6%
7	Waite, M.	Labour Party	139	4.1%

Electorate 3,830 · Ballots cast 3,366 · Back to ward index

Lewes Bridge · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 21.8% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +11.5 pts below quota Valid ballots 3,718

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Nicholson, Z.	Green Party	916	24.6%	Elected
2	Baah, J.	Liberal Democrats	812	21.8%	Elected
3	Ross, A.	Green Party	794	21.4%
4	Halley, J.	Liberal Democrats	491	13.2%
5	Kent, M.	Labour Party	246	6.6%
6	French, C.	Conservative and Unionist Party	168	4.5%
7	Wilkins, A.	Labour Party	147	4.0%
8	Robinson, C.	Conservative and Unionist Party	144	3.9%

Electorate 3,798 · Ballots cast 3,718 · Back to ward index

Seaford East · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 22.1% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +11.2 pts below quota Valid ballots 3,453

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Francomb, B.	Green Party	774	22.4%	Elected
2	Cohen, E.	Green Party	764	22.1%	Elected
3	Adeniji, S.	Conservative and Unionist Party	695	20.1%
4	Peterson, J.	Conservative and Unionist Party	583	16.9%
5	Stirton, L.	Liberal Democrats	225	6.5%
6	Wearmouth, M.	Liberal Democrats	215	6.2%
7	Latham, A.	Reform UK	129	3.7%
8	Crawley, L.	Independent	68	2.0%

Electorate 3,974 · Ballots cast 3,453 · Back to ward index

Lewes Priory · 3-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 15.0% Proportional quota 25.0% Difference +10.0 pts below quota Valid ballots 9,471

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Makepeace, I.	Green Party	1,727	18.2%	Elected
2	Clews, G.	Green Party	1,457	15.4%	Elected
3	Keene, P.	Green Party	1,420	15.0%	Elected
4	West, K.	Liberal Democrats	981	10.4%
5	Henshaw, P.	Liberal Democrats	927	9.8%
6	Livesey, E.	Liberal Democrats	870	9.2%
7	Drabble, L.	Labour Party	550	5.8%
8	Hambly, P.	Labour Party	515	5.4%
9	Sweeney, D.	Labour Party	423	4.5%
10	Boorman, C.	Conservative and Unionist Party	318	3.4%
11	Slater, E.	Conservative and Unionist Party	283	3.0%

Electorate 5,871 · Ballots cast 9,471 · Back to ward index

Newhaven South · 3-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 15.5% Proportional quota 25.0% Difference +9.5 pts below quota Valid ballots 3,939

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Amy, G.	Liberal Democrats	766	19.4%	Elected
2	MacCleary, J.	Liberal Democrats	672	17.1%	Elected
3	Von Kurthy, C.	Liberal Democrats	611	15.5%	Elected
4	McLean-Knight, P.	Independent	387	9.8%
5	Giles, B.	Conservative and Unionist Party	338	8.6%
6	Wallraven, L.	Conservative and Unionist Party	263	6.7%
7	Ahmed, A.	Conservative and Unionist Party	239	6.1%
8	Atkins, H.	Green Party	216	5.5%
9	Jones, N.	Independent	189	4.8%
10	Meadows, M.	Green Party	140	3.6%
11	O'Brien, M.	Green Party	118	3.0%

Electorate 5,284 · Ballots cast 3,939 · Back to ward index

Ouse Valley & Ringmer · 3-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 15.7% Proportional quota 25.0% Difference +9.3 pts below quota Valid ballots 6,639

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Denis, J.	Green Party	1,263	19.0%	Elected
2	O'Brien, E.	Green Party	1,213	18.3%	Elected
3	Agace, L.	Green Party	1,042	15.7%	Elected
4	Turner, R.	Conservative and Unionist Party	697	10.5%
5	Crisp, M.	Conservative and Unionist Party	659	9.9%
6	Sanderson, K.	Conservative and Unionist Party	595	9.0%
7	Vincent, V.	Liberal Democrats	420	6.3%
8	Bryan, C.	Liberal Democrats	383	5.8%
9	MacLeod, L.	Liberal Democrats	367	5.5%

Electorate 5,282 · Ballots cast 6,639 · Back to ward index

Chailey, Barcombe & Hamsey · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 24.8% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +8.6 pts below quota Valid ballots 3,689

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Saunders, J.	Green Party	990	26.8%	Elected
2	Slater, M.	Green Party	914	24.8%	Elected
3	Davy, S.	Conservative and Unionist Party	686	18.6%
4	Linington, I.	Conservative and Unionist Party	640	17.3%
5	Hughes, M.	Liberal Democrats	247	6.7%
6	Spain, P.	Liberal Democrats	212	5.7%

Electorate 4,103 · Ballots cast 3,689 · Back to ward index

Peacehaven East · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 25.3% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +8.0 pts below quota Valid ballots 2,122

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Davies, P.	Labour Party	620	29.2%	Elected
2	Gallagher, C.	Labour Party	537	25.3%	Elected
3	Enever, N.	Conservative and Unionist Party	399	18.8%
4	Moore, T.	Conservative and Unionist Party	324	15.3%
5	Kramers, E.	Liberal Democrats	73	3.4%
6	Orr, L.	Green Party	65	3.1%
7	Pickup, H.	Liberal Democrats	61	2.9%
8	Shuster, A.	Green Party	43	2.0%

Electorate 4,057 · Ballots cast 2,122 · Back to ward index

Peacehaven North · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 25.9% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +7.4 pts below quota Valid ballots 2,136

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Clarkson, C.	Labour Party	555	26.0%	Elected
2	Sharkey, I.	Labour Party	553	25.9%	Elected
3	O'Neill, K.	Conservative and Unionist Party	409	19.1%
4	Smith, A.	Conservative and Unionist Party	389	18.2%
5	Bell, J.	Liberal Democrats	65	3.0%
6	Mansfield, L.	Green Party	60	2.8%
7	Begley, R.	Green Party	56	2.6%
8	Stechler, D.	Liberal Democrats	49	2.3%

Electorate 4,114 · Ballots cast 2,136 · Back to ward index

Seaford South · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 26.4% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +6.9 pts below quota Valid ballots 2,880

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Brett, C.	Liberal Democrats	799	27.7%	Elected
2	Honeyman, O.	Liberal Democrats	760	26.4%	Elected
3	Brown, M.	Conservative and Unionist Party	422	14.7%
4	Simmons, M.	Conservative and Unionist Party	349	12.1%
5	Suheimat, M.	Green Party	218	7.6%
6	Tlusty-Sheen, A.	Labour Party	182	6.3%
7	Fryer, R.	Green Party	150	5.2%

Electorate 3,555 · Ballots cast 2,880 · Back to ward index

Newhaven North · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 27.5% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +5.8 pts below quota Valid ballots 2,141

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Carr, J.	Liberal Democrats	628	29.3%	Elected
2	Macleod, S.	Liberal Democrats	589	27.5%	Elected
3	Saunders, S.	Independent	348	16.3%
4	Chowen, S.	Conservative and Unionist Party	245	11.4%
5	Winter, A.	Independent	171	8.0%
6	Ray-Jones, T.	Green Party	96	4.5%
7	Campbell, D.	Green Party	64	3.0%

Electorate 3,791 · Ballots cast 2,141 · Back to ward index

Peacehaven West · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 29.4% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +4.0 pts below quota Valid ballots 1,897

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Collier, C.	Labour Party	689	36.3%	Elected
2	Fabry, N.	Labour Party	557	29.4%	Elected
3	Sefton, K.	Conservative and Unionist Party	390	20.6%
4	Webb, L.	Liberal Democrats	100	5.3%
5	Slater, E.	Green Party	71	3.7%
6	Whittuck, F.	Liberal Democrats	46	2.4%
7	Vice-Holt, D.	Green Party	44	2.3%

Electorate 3,731 · Ballots cast 1,897 · Back to ward index

East Saltdean & Telscombe Cliffs · 3-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 22.4% Proportional quota 25.0% Difference +2.6 pts below quota Valid ballots 4,855

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Robinson, C.	Labour Party	1,132	23.3%	Elected
2	O'Connor, L.	Labour Party	1,089	22.4%	Elected
3	Alexander, I.	Labour Party	1,087	22.4%	Elected
4	Clark, P.	Conservative and Unionist Party	538	11.1%
5	Ackroyd, S.	Liberal Democrats	328	6.8%
6	Lee, L.	Liberal Democrats	180	3.7%
7	Blackwell, N.	Green Party	151	3.1%
8	Martinez-Claras, D.	Liberal Democrats	132	2.7%
9	Tigg, N.	Green Party	112	2.3%
10	Wilkins, D.	Green Party	106	2.2%

Electorate 5,593 · Ballots cast 4,855 · Back to ward index

Kingston · single-seat

Marginal winner 47.5% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference +2.5 pts below quota Valid ballots 907

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Spiteri, S.	Liberal Democrats	431	47.5%	Elected
2	Hoare, D.	Green Party	326	35.9%
3	Jeffery, R.	Conservative and Unionist Party	150	16.5%

Electorate 1,570 · Ballots cast 907 · Back to ward index

Wivelsfield · single-seat

Marginal winner 52.6% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −2.6 pts Valid ballots 944

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Coupland, W.	Green Party	497	52.6%	Elected
2	Bikson, N.	Conservative and Unionist Party	345	36.5%
3	Salmon, J.	Liberal Democrats	102	10.8%

Electorate 2,223 · Ballots cast 944 · Back to ward index

Newick · single-seat

Marginal winner 56.5% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −6.5 pts Valid ballots 943

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Keenan, C.	Green Party	533	56.5%	Elected
2	Delo, N.	Conservative and Unionist Party	337	35.7%
3	Robbins, S.	Liberal Democrats	73	7.7%

Electorate 1,969 · Ballots cast 943 · Back to ward index

Plumpton, Streat, East Chiltington & St John · single-seat

Marginal winner 66.6% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −16.6 pts Valid ballots 902

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Stewart-Roberts, D.	Liberal Democrats	601	66.6%	Elected
2	Large, T.	Conservative and Unionist Party	208	23.1%
3	Oughton, J.	Green Party	93	10.3%

Electorate 1,724 · Ballots cast 902 · Back to ward index