← North Kesteven (all cycles) · 4 May 2023 cohort

North Kesteven 2023

Local elections held 4 May 2023.

21 ward races

37 seats

24 elected below the proportional quota

64.9% 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 37 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	18,948	46.5%	21	56.8%	18	48.6%	+3
LINCS IND	11,086	27.2%	10	27.0%	10	27.0%	0
Labour Party	4,394	10.8%	2	5.4%	4	10.8%	-2
Independent	3,083	7.6%	4	10.8%	3	8.1%	+1
Liberal Democrats	1,881	4.6%	0	0.0%	1	2.7%	-1
Green Party	1,053	2.6%	0	0.0%	1	2.7%	-1
Reform UK	296	0.7%	0	0.0%	0	0.0%	0
Total	40,741	100.0%	37	100.0%	37	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.

Sleaford Westholme · 1 seat · won at 29.5% · +20.5 pts below quota
Hykeham Fosse · 2 seats · won at 21.0% · +12.4 pts below quota
Sleaford Castle · 1 seat · won at 38.1% · +11.9 pts below quota
Sleaford Quarrington & Mareham · 3 seats · won at 13.7% · +11.3 pts below quota
Heighington & Washingborough · 3 seats · won at 14.9% · +10.1 pts below quota
Skellingthorpe & Eagle · 2 seats · won at 24.8% · +8.5 pts below quota
Hykeham Central · 3 seats · won at 16.6% · +8.4 pts below quota
Waddington Rural · 3 seats · won at 17.0% · +8.0 pts below quota
Metheringham Rural · 2 seats · won at 26.1% · +7.2 pts below quota
Bracebridge Heath · 2 seats · won at 29.6% · +3.7 pts below quota
Branston · 2 seats · won at 31.0% · +2.3 pts below quota
Witham St Hughs & Swinderby · 2 seats · won at 31.9% · +1.4 pts below quota
Hykeham Memorial · 1 seat · won at 49.9% · +0.1 pts below quota
Ashby de la Launde, Digby & Scopwick · 1 seat · won at 50.6% · above quota
Heckington Rural · 2 seats · won at 37.7% · above quota
Ruskington · 2 seats · won at 39.8% · above quota
Sleaford Holdingham · 1 seat · won at 62.6% · above quota
Bassingham Rural · 1 seat · won at 63.5% · above quota
Sleaford Navigation · 1 seat · won at 64.4% · above quota
Helpringham & Osbournby · 1 seat · won at 69.5% · above quota
Kirkby la Thorpe & South Kyme · 1 seat · won at 70.2% · above quota

Race results

Sleaford Westholme · single-seat

Marginal winner 29.5% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference +20.5 pts below quota Valid ballots 512

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Mear, A.	LINCS IND	151	29.5%	Elected
2	Brand, A.	Independent	150	29.3%
3	Randall, E.	Labour Party	119	23.2%
4	Lorimer, H.	Independent	92	18.0%

Electorate 2,093 · Ballots cast 512 · Back to ward index

Hykeham Fosse · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 21.0% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +12.4 pts below quota Valid ballots 1,846

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Lofts, M.	Labour Party	452	24.5%	Elected
2	Little, R.	Conservative and Unionist Party	387	21.0%	Elected
3	Whittaker, P.	Conservative and Unionist Party	342	18.5%
4	Ventura, D.	Green Party	227	12.3%
5	Byron, C.	Liberal Democrats	227	12.3%
6	Wilson, J.	Liberal Democrats	140	7.6%
7	Nind, M.	Reform UK	71	3.8%

Electorate 4,975 · Ballots cast 1,846 · Back to ward index

Sleaford Castle · single-seat

Marginal winner 38.1% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference +11.9 pts below quota Valid ballots 522

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Edwards-Shea, L.	Labour Party	199	38.1%	Elected
2	Offer, M.	Conservative and Unionist Party	194	37.2%
3	Darmon, D.	Independent	129	24.7%

Electorate 2,208 · Ballots cast 522 · Back to ward index

Sleaford Quarrington & Mareham · 3-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 13.7% Proportional quota 25.0% Difference +11.3 pts below quota Valid ballots 4,202

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Oldershaw, B.	LINCS IND	660	15.7%	Elected
2	Smith, M.	Conservative and Unionist Party	612	14.6%	Elected
3	Allan, B.	Conservative and Unionist Party	574	13.7%	Elected
4	Shanahan-Kluth, M.	Conservative and Unionist Party	572	13.6%
5	Snookes, A.	LINCS IND	524	12.5%
6	Mason, S.	Independent	475	11.3%
7	Thompson, J.	Labour Party	395	9.4%
8	Dutton, I.	Labour Party	390	9.3%

Electorate 6,108 · Ballots cast 4,202 · Back to ward index

Heighington & Washingborough · 3-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 14.9% Proportional quota 25.0% Difference +10.1 pts below quota Valid ballots 5,551

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Carrington, I.	Conservative and Unionist Party	872	15.7%	Elected
2	Goodwin, C.	Conservative and Unionist Party	855	15.4%	Elected
3	Harrington, R.	Conservative and Unionist Party	829	14.9%	Elected
4	Bailey, G.	LINCS IND	806	14.5%
5	Courtney, K.	LINCS IND	794	14.3%
6	Clarke, L.	LINCS IND	785	14.1%
7	Crawshaw, T.	Green Party	610	11.0%

Electorate 5,932 · Ballots cast 5,551 · Back to ward index

Skellingthorpe & Eagle · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 24.8% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +8.5 pts below quota Valid ballots 2,353

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Goldson, C.	Independent	851	36.2%	Elected
2	Johnston, R.	Independent	584	24.8%	Elected
3	Kendrick, E.	Conservative and Unionist Party	355	15.1%
4	Pritchard, A.	Labour Party	255	10.8%
5	Richardson, T.	Liberal Democrats	187	7.9%
6	McMillan, J.	Reform UK	65	2.8%
7	Smith, N.	Reform UK	56	2.4%

Electorate 4,346 · Ballots cast 2,353 · Back to ward index

Hykeham Central · 3-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 16.6% Proportional quota 25.0% Difference +8.4 pts below quota Valid ballots 4,818

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Roe, S.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,116	23.2%	Elected
2	Clarke, M.	Conservative and Unionist Party	871	18.1%	Elected
3	Pessol, J.	Conservative and Unionist Party	801	16.6%	Elected
4	Edwards, G.	LINCS IND	795	16.5%
5	Sweet, N.	Liberal Democrats	635	13.2%
6	Tipler, G.	Liberal Democrats	600	12.5%

Electorate 6,589 · Ballots cast 4,818 · Back to ward index

Waddington Rural · 3-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 17.0% Proportional quota 25.0% Difference +8.0 pts below quota Valid ballots 4,137

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Cooper, M.	Conservative and Unionist Party	756	18.3%	Elected
2	Pennell, L.	Conservative and Unionist Party	734	17.7%	Elected
3	Sanders, L.	Conservative and Unionist Party	704	17.0%	Elected
4	Earnshaw, J.	LINCS IND	695	16.8%
5	Mitchell, J.	Labour Party	655	15.8%
6	Chapman, N.	Labour Party	593	14.3%

Electorate 6,128 · Ballots cast 4,137 · Back to ward index

Metheringham Rural · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 26.1% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +7.2 pts below quota Valid ballots 2,460

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Pembery, F.	Conservative and Unionist Party	670	27.2%	Elected
2	Parry, D.	Conservative and Unionist Party	643	26.1%	Elected
3	Dodd, H.	LINCS IND	635	25.8%
4	Blackman, G.	LINCS IND	512	20.8%

Electorate 4,346 · Ballots cast 2,460 · Back to ward index

Bracebridge Heath · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 29.6% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +3.7 pts below quota Valid ballots 2,173

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Burley, P.	Conservative and Unionist Party	649	29.9%	Elected
2	Cawrey, L.	Conservative and Unionist Party	644	29.6%	Elected
3	Allen, C.	Labour Party	471	21.7%
4	Adeyemi, F.	Labour Party	409	18.8%

Electorate 4,490 · Ballots cast 2,173 · Back to ward index

Branston · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 31.0% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +2.3 pts below quota Valid ballots 2,110

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Lundgren, P.	LINCS IND	942	44.6%	Elected
2	Turner, P.	LINCS IND	655	31.0%	Elected
3	Gilding, R.	Conservative and Unionist Party	513	24.3%

Electorate 4,484 · Ballots cast 2,110 · Back to ward index

Witham St Hughs & Swinderby · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 31.9% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference +1.4 pts below quota Valid ballots 1,698

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Overton, C.	LINCS IND	616	36.3%	Elected
2	Elliott, M.	LINCS IND	542	31.9%	Elected
3	Howe, S.	Conservative and Unionist Party	284	16.7%
4	Robinson, S.	Conservative and Unionist Party	256	15.1%

Electorate 3,706 · Ballots cast 1,698 · Back to ward index

Hykeham Memorial · single-seat

Marginal winner 49.9% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference +0.1 pts below quota Valid ballots 505

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Dillon, N.	Independent	252	49.9%	Elected
2	Clarke, N.	Conservative and Unionist Party	161	31.9%
3	Catton, D.	Liberal Democrats	92	18.2%

Electorate 2,399 · Ballots cast 505 · Back to ward index

Ashby de la Launde, Digby & Scopwick · single-seat

Marginal winner 50.6% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −0.6 pts Valid ballots 607

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Bailey, A.	LINCS IND	307	50.6%	Elected
2	Money, J.	Conservative and Unionist Party	300	49.4%

Electorate 2,166 · Ballots cast 607 · Back to ward index

Heckington Rural · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 37.7% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference −4.4 pts Valid ballots 1,860

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Tarry, S.	Conservative and Unionist Party	702	37.7%	Elected
2	Ogden, S.	Conservative and Unionist Party	702	37.7%	Elected
3	Saxby, J.	Labour Party	456	24.5%

Electorate 4,055 · Ballots cast 1,860 · Back to ward index

Ruskington · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner 39.8% Proportional quota 33.3% Difference −6.5 pts Valid ballots 2,056

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Waldeck, M.	Conservative and Unionist Party	820	39.9%	Elected
2	Wright, R.	Conservative and Unionist Party	819	39.8%	Elected
3	Fernandes, K.	LINCS IND	417	20.3%

Electorate 4,585 · Ballots cast 2,056 · Back to ward index

Sleaford Holdingham · single-seat

Marginal winner 62.6% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −12.6 pts Valid ballots 447

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Oates, R.	LINCS IND	280	62.6%	Elected
2	Cockcroft, P.	Conservative and Unionist Party	114	25.5%
3	Greetham, R.	Independent	53	11.9%

Electorate 2,205 · Ballots cast 447 · Back to ward index

Bassingham Rural · single-seat

Marginal winner 63.5% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −13.5 pts Valid ballots 740

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Green, M.	Conservative and Unionist Party	470	63.5%	Elected
2	Pearce Roccio, E.	Green Party	216	29.2%
3	Smith, N.	Reform UK	54	7.3%

Electorate 2,085 · Ballots cast 740 · Back to ward index

Sleaford Navigation · single-seat

Marginal winner 64.4% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −14.4 pts Valid ballots 550

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Suiter, D.	LINCS IND	354	64.4%	Elected
2	Aziz, N.	Conservative and Unionist Party	196	35.6%

Electorate 2,262 · Ballots cast 550 · Back to ward index

Helpringham & Osbournby · single-seat

Marginal winner 69.5% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −19.5 pts Valid ballots 886

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Jackson, R.	LINCS IND	616	69.5%	Elected
2	Shanahan-Kluth, S.	Conservative and Unionist Party	220	24.8%
3	Jamison, A.	Reform UK	50	5.6%

Electorate 2,360 · Ballots cast 886 · Back to ward index

Kirkby la Thorpe & South Kyme · single-seat

Marginal winner 70.2% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −20.2 pts Valid ballots 708

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Head, M.	Independent	497	70.2%	Elected
2	Allan, M.	Conservative and Unionist Party	211	29.8%

Electorate 1,960 · Ballots cast 708 · Back to ward index