← Mid Suffolk (all cycles) · 4 May 2023 cohort

Mid Suffolk 2023

Local elections held 4 May 2023.

26 ward races

34 seats

6 elected below the proportional quota

17.6% 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 26 wards in this cycle, parties received the vote totals below. The proportional column shows what each party would have won if the 34 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	23,274	56.8%	24	70.6%	20	58.8%	+4
Conservative and Unionist Party	11,457	28.0%	6	17.6%	10	29.4%	-4
Liberal Democrats	4,451	10.9%	4	11.8%	3	8.8%	+1
Labour Party	1,490	3.6%	0	0.0%	1	2.9%	-1
Reform UK	303	0.7%	0	0.0%	0	0.0%	0
Total	40,975	100.0%	34	100.0%	34	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.

Claydon & Barham · 2 seats · won at 21.0% · +12.3 pts below quota
Needham Market · 2 seats · won at 23.9% · +9.4 pts below quota
Stow Thorney · 2 seats · won at 28.8% · +4.6 pts below quota
Stradbroke & Laxfield · 1 seat · won at 46.9% · +3.1 pts below quota
Thurston · 2 seats · won at 33.0% · +0.4 pts below quota
Combs Ford · 2 seats · won at 34.2% · above quota
Fressingfield · 1 seat · won at 51.5% · above quota
Hoxne & Worlingworth · 1 seat · won at 51.7% · above quota
Palgrave · 1 seat · won at 51.9% · above quota
Rickinghall · 1 seat · won at 54.1% · above quota
Bramford · 1 seat · won at 54.3% · above quota
Elmswell & Woolpit · 2 seats · won at 38.1% · above quota
Blakenham · 1 seat · won at 55.5% · above quota
Haughley, Stowupland & Wetherden · 2 seats · won at 39.8% · above quota
Chilton · 2 seats · won at 40.1% · above quota
Onehouse · 1 seat · won at 59.1% · above quota
Stonham · 1 seat · won at 59.5% · above quota
Debenham · 1 seat · won at 61.9% · above quota
Rattlesden · 1 seat · won at 66.4% · above quota
Walsham-le-Willows · 1 seat · won at 68.5% · above quota
Battisford & Ringshall · 1 seat · won at 68.6% · above quota
Eye · 1 seat · won at 70.2% · above quota
Gislingham · 1 seat · won at 71.5% · above quota
St Peter's · 1 seat · won at 73.7% · above quota
Bacton · 1 seat · won at 75.5% · above quota
Mendlesham · 1 seat · won at 79.1% · above quota

Race results

Claydon & Barham · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 21.0% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +12.3 pts below quota Valid ballots 3,110

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Penny, D.	Green Party	708	22.8%	Elected
2	Whitehead, J.	Conservative and Unionist Party	654	21.0%	Elected
3	MacKinnon, B.	Green Party	624	20.1%
4	Gowrley, N.	Conservative and Unionist Party	572	18.4%
5	Wheatley, M.	Liberal Democrats	223	7.2%
6	Wilson, T.	Labour Party	185	5.9%
7	Poulson, D.	Liberal Democrats	144	4.6%

Electorate 4,682 · Ballots cast 3,110 · Back to ward index

Needham Market · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 23.9% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +9.4 pts below quota Valid ballots 2,816

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Piper, R.	Green Party	943	33.5%	Elected
2	Lawrence, T.	Liberal Democrats	673	23.9%	Elected
3	Watson, S.	Liberal Democrats	636	22.6%
4	Oakes, K.	Conservative and Unionist Party	564	20.0%

Electorate 5,160 · Ballots cast 2,816 · Back to ward index

Stow Thorney · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 28.8% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +4.6 pts below quota Valid ballots 1,826

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Lay, C.	Green Party	662	36.3%	Elected
2	Patchett, J.	Green Party	525	28.8%	Elected
3	Runciman, S.	Conservative and Unionist Party	359	19.7%
4	Howman, W.	Labour Party	280	15.3%

Electorate 4,209 · Ballots cast 1,826 · Back to ward index

Stradbroke & Laxfield · single-seat

Marginal winner 46.9% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference +3.1 pts below quota Valid ballots 941

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Linder, A.	Conservative and Unionist Party	441	46.9%	Elected
2	Whitehouse, G.	Green Party	263	27.9%
3	Theaker, P.	Labour Party	155	16.5%
4	Fawcett, J.	Liberal Democrats	82	8.7%

Electorate 2,546 · Ballots cast 941 · Back to ward index

Thurston · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 33.0% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +0.4 pts below quota Valid ballots 3,714

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Bradbury, D.	Green Party	1,288	34.7%	Elected
2	Davies, A.	Green Party	1,224	33.0%	Elected
3	Richardson, H.	Conservative and Unionist Party	716	19.3%
4	Hurdwell, O.	Liberal Democrats	190	5.1%
5	Cockell, P.	Labour Party	164	4.4%
6	Staff, J.	Labour Party	132	3.6%

Electorate 5,193 · Ballots cast 3,714 · Back to ward index

Combs Ford · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 34.2% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference −0.9 pts Valid ballots 3,010

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Scarff, K.	Liberal Democrats	1,059	35.2%	Elected
2	Row, M.	Green Party	1,029	34.2%	Elected
3	Lathangue-Clayton, K.	Conservative and Unionist Party	672	22.3%
4	Card, D.	Reform UK	250	8.3%

Electorate 4,648 · Ballots cast 3,010 · Back to ward index

Fressingfield · single-seat

Marginal winner 51.5% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −1.5 pts Valid ballots 1,061

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Hadingham, L.	Conservative and Unionist Party	546	51.5%	Elected
2	MacKinnon, C.	Green Party	515	48.5%

Electorate 2,397 · Ballots cast 1,061 · Back to ward index

Hoxne & Worlingworth · single-seat

Marginal winner 51.7% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −1.7 pts Valid ballots 985

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Hicks, M.	Conservative and Unionist Party	509	51.7%	Elected
2	Meyer, C.	Green Party	287	29.1%
3	Card, S.	Liberal Democrats	97	9.8%
4	Nixon, S.	Labour Party	92	9.3%

Electorate 2,334 · Ballots cast 985 · Back to ward index

Palgrave · single-seat

Marginal winner 51.9% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −1.9 pts Valid ballots 1,033

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Weller, T.	Green Party	536	51.9%	Elected
2	Passmore, T.	Conservative and Unionist Party	444	43.0%
3	Heasley, E.	Reform UK	53	5.1%

Electorate 2,360 · Ballots cast 1,033 · Back to ward index

Rickinghall · single-seat

Marginal winner 54.1% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −4.1 pts Valid ballots 861

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Morgan, G.	Conservative and Unionist Party	466	54.1%	Elected
2	Caley, B.	Labour Party	395	45.9%

Electorate 2,396 · Ballots cast 861 · Back to ward index

Bramford · single-seat

Marginal winner 54.3% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −4.3 pts Valid ballots 728

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Caston, J.	Conservative and Unionist Party	395	54.3%	Elected
2	Buckmaster, E.	Green Party	201	27.6%
3	Borzak, A.	Liberal Democrats	132	18.1%

Electorate 2,134 · Ballots cast 728 · Back to ward index

Elmswell & Woolpit · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 38.1% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference −4.8 pts Valid ballots 3,564

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Mansel, S.	Green Party	1,583	44.4%	Elected
2	Overett, J.	Green Party	1,358	38.1%	Elected
3	Duggan, J.	Conservative and Unionist Party	623	17.5%

Electorate 5,558 · Ballots cast 3,564 · Back to ward index

Blakenham · single-seat

Marginal winner 55.5% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −5.5 pts Valid ballots 782

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Marriott, A.	Liberal Democrats	434	55.5%	Elected
2	Wells, S.	Conservative and Unionist Party	348	44.5%

Electorate 2,956 · Ballots cast 782 · Back to ward index

Haughley, Stowupland & Wetherden · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 39.8% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference −6.4 pts Valid ballots 3,042

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Eburne, R.	Green Party	1,407	46.3%	Elected
2	Pearson, J.	Green Party	1,210	39.8%	Elected
3	Canham, L.	Conservative and Unionist Party	425	14.0%

Electorate 4,866 · Ballots cast 3,042 · Back to ward index

Chilton · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 40.1% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference −6.8 pts Valid ballots 2,486

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Carter, T.	Green Party	1,062	42.7%	Elected
2	Napier, D.	Green Party	998	40.1%	Elected
3	Mantha, V.	Conservative and Unionist Party	426	17.1%

Electorate 4,923 · Ballots cast 2,486 · Back to ward index

Onehouse · single-seat

Marginal winner 59.1% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −9.1 pts Valid ballots 904

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Matthissen, J.	Green Party	534	59.1%	Elected
2	Spencer, J.	Conservative and Unionist Party	283	31.3%
3	Davies, R.	Labour Party	87	9.6%

Electorate 2,318 · Ballots cast 904 · Back to ward index

Stonham · single-seat

Marginal winner 59.5% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −9.5 pts Valid ballots 1,034

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Hardingham, N.	Green Party	615	59.5%	Elected
2	Morley, S.	Conservative and Unionist Party	419	40.5%

Electorate 2,313 · Ballots cast 1,034 · Back to ward index

Debenham · single-seat

Marginal winner 61.9% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −11.9 pts Valid ballots 1,105

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Davis, T.	Green Party	684	61.9%	Elected
2	Dobell, H.	Conservative and Unionist Party	421	38.1%

Electorate 2,463 · Ballots cast 1,105 · Back to ward index

Rattlesden · single-seat

Marginal winner 66.4% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −16.4 pts Valid ballots 1,045

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Willshere, N.	Liberal Democrats	694	66.4%	Elected
2	Gerrish, S.	Conservative and Unionist Party	351	33.6%

Electorate 2,497 · Ballots cast 1,045 · Back to ward index

Walsham-le-Willows · single-seat

Marginal winner 68.5% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −18.5 pts Valid ballots 1,131

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Winch, R.	Green Party	775	68.5%	Elected
2	Wilding, P.	Conservative and Unionist Party	356	31.5%

Electorate 2,672 · Ballots cast 1,131 · Back to ward index

Battisford & Ringshall · single-seat

Marginal winner 68.6% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −18.6 pts Valid ballots 886

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Pratt, D.	Green Party	608	68.6%	Elected
2	Whybrow, D.	Conservative and Unionist Party	226	25.5%
3	Payne, D.	Liberal Democrats	52	5.9%

Electorate 2,482 · Ballots cast 886 · Back to ward index

Eye · single-seat

Marginal winner 70.2% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −20.2 pts Valid ballots 987

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Elkin, L.	Green Party	693	70.2%	Elected
2	Crispin, K.	Conservative and Unionist Party	294	29.8%

Electorate 2,249 · Ballots cast 987 · Back to ward index

Gislingham · single-seat

Marginal winner 71.5% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −21.5 pts Valid ballots 1,107

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Warboys, R.	Green Party	792	71.5%	Elected
2	Hogan, A.	Conservative and Unionist Party	315	28.5%

Electorate 2,622 · Ballots cast 1,107 · Back to ward index

St Peter's · single-seat

Marginal winner 73.7% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −23.7 pts Valid ballots 799

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Walters, O.	Green Party	589	73.7%	Elected
2	Stevens, R.	Conservative and Unionist Party	210	26.3%

Electorate 2,275 · Ballots cast 799 · Back to ward index

Bacton · single-seat

Marginal winner 75.5% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −25.5 pts Valid ballots 987

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Mellen, A.	Green Party	745	75.5%	Elected
2	Davie-Thornhill, J.	Conservative and Unionist Party	207	21.0%
3	Appleton, D.	Liberal Democrats	35	3.5%

Electorate 2,317 · Ballots cast 987 · Back to ward index

Mendlesham · single-seat

Marginal winner 79.1% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −29.1 pts Valid ballots 1,031

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Stringer, A.	Green Party	816	79.1%	Elected
2	Allen, P.	Conservative and Unionist Party	215	20.9%

Electorate 2,479 · Ballots cast 1,031 · Back to ward index