← Oldham (all cycles) · 6 May 2021 cohort

Oldham 2021

Local elections held 6 May 2021.

20 ward races

20 seats

16 elected below the proportional quota

80.0% 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 20 wards in this cycle, parties received the vote totals below. The proportional column shows what each party would have won if the 20 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
Labour Party	24,646	39.4%	9	45.0%	9	45.0%	0
Conservative and Unionist Party	14,907	23.8%	5	25.0%	5	25.0%	0
Liberal Democrats	6,843	10.9%	3	15.0%	2	10.0%	+1
Independent	5,901	9.4%	1	5.0%	2	10.0%	-1
POS	4,087	6.5%	0	0.0%	1	5.0%	-1
F IND	3,237	5.2%	2	10.0%	1	5.0%	+1
Green Party	1,768	2.8%	0	0.0%	0	0.0%	0
N HRT	830	1.3%	0	0.0%	0	0.0%	0
UK Independence Party (UKIP)	167	0.3%	0	0.0%	0	0.0%	0
Reform UK	86	0.1%	0	0.0%	0	0.0%	0
Workers Party of Britain	83	0.1%	0	0.0%	0	0.0%	0
Total	62,555	100.0%	20	100.0%	20	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.

Saddleworth West & Lees · 1 seat · won at 29.8% · +20.2 pts below quota
Saddleworth North · 1 seat · won at 35.5% · +14.5 pts below quota
Saddleworth South · 1 seat · won at 35.7% · +14.3 pts below quota
Royton South · 1 seat · won at 41.6% · +8.4 pts below quota
Crompton · 1 seat · won at 41.9% · +8.1 pts below quota
Royton North · 1 seat · won at 43.1% · +6.9 pts below quota
St. James · 1 seat · won at 44.0% · +6.0 pts below quota
Failsworth West · 1 seat · won at 46.2% · +3.8 pts below quota
Coldhurst · 1 seat · won at 46.5% · +3.5 pts below quota
Chadderton South · 1 seat · won at 47.1% · +2.9 pts below quota
Chadderton North · 1 seat · won at 47.6% · +2.4 pts below quota
Medlock Vale · 1 seat · won at 47.6% · +2.4 pts below quota
St. Marys · 1 seat · won at 48.1% · +1.9 pts below quota
Shaw · 1 seat · won at 48.2% · +1.8 pts below quota
Chadderton Central · 1 seat · won at 49.0% · +1.0 pts below quota
Waterhead · 1 seat · won at 49.9% · +0.1 pts below quota
Hollinwood · 1 seat · won at 52.4% · above quota
Failsworth East · 1 seat · won at 58.0% · above quota
Alexandra · 1 seat · won at 69.4% · above quota
Werneth · 1 seat · won at 79.7% · above quota

Race results

Saddleworth West & Lees · single-seat

Marginal winner 29.8% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference +20.2 pts below quota Valid ballots 3,270

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Kenyon M.	Liberal Democrats	975	29.8%	Elected
2	Shilton P.	POS	933	28.5%
3	Rustidge K.	Labour Party	731	22.4%
4	Cahill A.	Conservative and Unionist Party	631	19.3%

Electorate 8,450 · Ballots cast 3,270 · EC ward code E05000733 · Back to ward index

Saddleworth North · single-seat

Marginal winner 35.5% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference +14.5 pts below quota Valid ballots 3,707

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Lancaster L.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,316	35.5%	Elected
2	Harkness G.	Liberal Democrats	902	24.3%
3	Green C.D.	Labour Party	663	17.9%
4	Tarbuck G.S.	POS	562	15.2%
5	Banawich K.L.	Green Party	235	6.3%
6	Green C.	Reform UK	29	0.8%

Electorate 7,853 · Ballots cast 3,707 · EC ward code E05000731 · Back to ward index

Saddleworth South · single-seat

Marginal winner 35.7% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference +14.3 pts below quota Valid ballots 3,870

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Woodvine M.J.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,383	35.7%	Elected
2	Shuttleworth S.L.	Labour Party	885	22.9%
3	Dawson K.A.	Liberal Democrats	612	15.8%
4	Hodgson S.J.	POS	425	11.0%
5	Bishop H.L.	Independent	321	8.3%
6	Banawich B.	Green Party	244	6.3%

Electorate 8,279 · Ballots cast 3,870 · EC ward code E05000732 · Back to ward index

Royton South · single-seat

Marginal winner 41.6% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference +8.4 pts below quota Valid ballots 2,668

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Chadderton A.	Labour Party	1,109	41.6%	Elected
2	Bond I.J.	Conservative and Unionist Party	994	37.3%
3	Stidworthy J.	Green Party	196	7.3%
4	Fiander Taylor A.	N HRT	147	5.5%
5	Berry K.	Liberal Democrats	121	4.5%
6	Prince A.J.	UK Independence Party (UKIP)	101	3.8%

Electorate 8,199 · Ballots cast 2,668 · EC ward code E05000730 · Back to ward index

Crompton · single-seat

Marginal winner 41.9% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference +8.1 pts below quota Valid ballots 2,972

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Williamson D.	Liberal Democrats	1,245	41.9%	Elected
2	Quigg L.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,045	35.2%
3	Shah B.	Labour Party	390	13.1%
4	Vance R.	N HRT	148	5.0%
5	Valencia-Shaw L.M.	Green Party	144	4.8%

Electorate 8,189 · Ballots cast 2,972 · EC ward code E05000724 · Back to ward index

Royton North · single-seat

Marginal winner 43.1% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference +6.9 pts below quota Valid ballots 2,817

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Arnott D.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,213	43.1%	Elected
2	Harwood M.	Labour Party	1,122	39.8%
3	Goldring P.F.	POS	295	10.5%
4	Gosling R.	Liberal Democrats	130	4.6%
5	Jones C.F.	Reform UK	57	2.0%

Electorate 7,724 · Ballots cast 2,817 · EC ward code E05000729 · Back to ward index

St. James · single-seat

Marginal winner 44.0% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference +6.0 pts below quota Valid ballots 2,369

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Sharp B.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,042	44.0%	Elected
2	Ball C.	Labour Party	843	35.6%
3	Crooks A.	POS	285	12.0%
4	Pakeman R.M.	Green Party	100	4.2%
5	Gloster J.	Liberal Democrats	99	4.2%

Electorate 8,218 · Ballots cast 2,369 · EC ward code E05000734 · Back to ward index

Failsworth West · single-seat

Marginal winner 46.2% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference +3.8 pts below quota Valid ballots 3,186

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Wilkinson M.J.	F IND	1,472	46.2%	Elected
2	Fielding S.E.	Labour Party	1,281	40.2%
3	Bates W.W.	Independent	223	7.0%
4	Hussain J.	Conservative and Unionist Party	177	5.6%
5	Darlington R.N.	Liberal Democrats	33	1.0%

Electorate 7,948 · Ballots cast 3,186 · EC ward code E05000726 · Back to ward index

Coldhurst · single-seat

Marginal winner 46.5% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference +3.5 pts below quota Valid ballots 4,821

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Jabbar A.	Labour Party	2,242	46.5%	Elected
2	Azad M.A.	Independent	2,171	45.0%
3	Cahill D.J.	Conservative and Unionist Party	237	4.9%
4	Betteridge J.	Green Party	104	2.2%
5	Scholes M.	Liberal Democrats	67	1.4%

Electorate 9,038 · Ballots cast 4,821 · EC ward code E05000723 · Back to ward index

Chadderton South · single-seat

Marginal winner 47.1% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference +2.9 pts below quota Valid ballots 2,516

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Goodwin C.	Labour Party	1,186	47.1%	Elected
2	Barnes R.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,022	40.6%
3	Roddy L.M.	Workers Party of Britain	83	3.3%
4	Jackson C.	N HRT	83	3.3%
5	Beeston J.	Liberal Democrats	76	3.0%
6	Akin B.M.	UK Independence Party (UKIP)	66	2.6%

Electorate 8,116 · Ballots cast 2,516 · EC ward code E05000722 · Back to ward index

Chadderton North · single-seat

Marginal winner 47.6% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference +2.4 pts below quota Valid ballots 3,368

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Islam M.N.	Labour Party	1,603	47.6%	Elected
2	Woodward T.S.	Independent	974	28.9%
3	Jahan M.S.	Conservative and Unionist Party	521	15.5%
4	Clayton D.	Green Party	142	4.2%
5	Gloster K.H.	Liberal Democrats	128	3.8%

Electorate 8,388 · Ballots cast 3,368 · EC ward code E05000721 · Back to ward index

Medlock Vale · single-seat

Marginal winner 47.6% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference +2.4 pts below quota Valid ballots 3,876

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Abid S.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,845	47.6%	Elected
2	Ateeque U.	Labour Party	1,277	32.9%
3	Birchall M.	POS	652	16.8%
4	Pendlebury R.	Liberal Democrats	102	2.6%

Electorate 9,192 · Ballots cast 3,876 · EC ward code E05000728 · Back to ward index

St. Marys · single-seat

Marginal winner 48.1% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference +1.9 pts below quota Valid ballots 4,603

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Aftab H.	Independent	2,212	48.1%	Elected
2	Yousaf I.	Labour Party	1,909	41.5%
3	Rahman M.	Conservative and Unionist Party	214	4.6%
4	Lord P.	Liberal Democrats	158	3.4%
5	Meadowcroft M.	Green Party	110	2.4%

Electorate 9,705 · Ballots cast 4,603 · EC ward code E05000735 · Back to ward index

Shaw · single-seat

Marginal winner 48.2% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference +1.8 pts below quota Valid ballots 2,470

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Sykes H.D.	Liberal Democrats	1,191	48.2%	Elected
2	Hince M.J.	POS	574	23.2%
3	Ali S.M.	Labour Party	400	16.2%
4	Lord T.	Conservative and Unionist Party	305	12.3%

Electorate 7,584 · Ballots cast 2,470 · EC ward code E05000736 · Back to ward index

Chadderton Central · single-seat

Marginal winner 49.0% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference +1.0 pts below quota Valid ballots 2,769

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Taylor E.	Labour Party	1,356	49.0%	Elected
2	Miah S.	Conservative and Unionist Party	910	32.9%
3	Mahoney J.	Green Party	188	6.8%
4	Dickenson J.	N HRT	184	6.6%
5	Belley B.A.	Liberal Democrats	131	4.7%

Electorate 8,257 · Ballots cast 2,769 · EC ward code E05000720 · Back to ward index

Waterhead · single-seat

Marginal winner 49.9% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference +0.1 pts below quota Valid ballots 2,526

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Birch R.	Labour Party	1,260	49.9%	Elected
2	Hussain S.	Conservative and Unionist Party	546	21.6%
3	Dawson L.	Liberal Democrats	334	13.2%
4	Taylor P.	N HRT	268	10.6%
5	Solaiman F.	Green Party	118	4.7%

Electorate 8,673 · Ballots cast 2,526 · EC ward code E05000737 · Back to ward index

Hollinwood · single-seat

Marginal winner 52.4% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −2.4 pts Valid ballots 1,976

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Phythian K.J.	Labour Party	1,036	52.4%	Elected
2	Stockton M.	Conservative and Unionist Party	478	24.2%
3	Bailey R.J.	POS	361	18.3%
4	Lord B.	Liberal Democrats	101	5.1%

Electorate 7,773 · Ballots cast 1,976 · EC ward code E05000727 · Back to ward index

Failsworth East · single-seat

Marginal winner 58.0% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −8.0 pts Valid ballots 3,041

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Hindle N.A.	F IND	1,765	58.0%	Elected
2	Jacques L.	Labour Party	1,029	33.8%
3	Miah S.	Conservative and Unionist Party	206	6.8%
4	Thompson L.C.	Liberal Democrats	41	1.3%

Electorate 7,837 · Ballots cast 3,041 · EC ward code E05000725 · Back to ward index

Alexandra · single-seat

Marginal winner 69.4% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −19.4 pts Valid ballots 2,334

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Chauhan Z.	Labour Party	1,619	69.4%	Elected
2	Ford J.H.	Conservative and Unionist Party	399	17.1%
3	Chaverra Valencia A.	Green Party	187	8.0%
4	Dinoff M.A.	Liberal Democrats	129	5.5%

Electorate 7,371 · Ballots cast 2,334 · EC ward code E05000719 · Back to ward index

Werneth · single-seat

Marginal winner 79.7% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −29.7 pts Valid ballots 3,396

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Hussain F.	Labour Party	2,705	79.7%	Elected
2	Rahman M.W.	Conservative and Unionist Party	423	12.5%
3	Pendlebury K.	Liberal Democrats	268	7.9%

Electorate 8,793 · Ballots cast 3,396 · EC ward code E05000738 · Back to ward index