← Sunderland (all cycles) · 4 May 2023 cohort

Sunderland 2023

Local elections held 4 May 2023.

25 ward races

25 seats

8 elected below the proportional quota

32.0% 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 25 wards in this cycle, parties received the vote totals below. The proportional column shows what each party would have won if the 25 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	29,724	45.3%	17	68.0%	12	48.0%	+5
Conservative and Unionist Party	14,462	22.0%	3	12.0%	6	24.0%	-3
Liberal Democrats	11,747	17.9%	5	20.0%	5	20.0%	0
Reform UK	4,317	6.6%	0	0.0%	1	4.0%	-1
Green Party	3,565	5.4%	0	0.0%	1	4.0%	-1
Independent	1,719	2.6%	0	0.0%	0	0.0%	0
OMRL	40	0.1%	0	0.0%	0	0.0%	0
CPB	27	0.0%	0	0.0%	0	0.0%	0
Total	65,601	100.0%	25	100.0%	25	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.

Barnes · 1 seat · won at 40.3% · +9.7 pts below quota
St. Michaels · 1 seat · won at 42.2% · +7.8 pts below quota
St. Peters · 1 seat · won at 43.4% · +6.6 pts below quota
Washington South · 1 seat · won at 43.6% · +6.4 pts below quota
Hendon · 1 seat · won at 43.6% · +6.4 pts below quota
Hetton · 1 seat · won at 44.9% · +5.1 pts below quota
Fulwell · 1 seat · won at 48.1% · +1.9 pts below quota
St. Annes · 1 seat · won at 48.5% · +1.5 pts below quota
St. Chads · 1 seat · won at 50.2% · above quota
Copt Hill · 1 seat · won at 50.8% · above quota
Ryhope · 1 seat · won at 51.5% · above quota
Shiney Row · 1 seat · won at 53.8% · above quota
Silksworth · 1 seat · won at 56.2% · above quota
Millfield · 1 seat · won at 56.3% · above quota
Washington East · 1 seat · won at 56.4% · above quota
Washington West · 1 seat · won at 56.8% · above quota
Doxford · 1 seat · won at 59.2% · above quota
Redhill · 1 seat · won at 59.3% · above quota
Houghton · 1 seat · won at 60.1% · above quota
Southwick · 1 seat · won at 60.2% · above quota
Sandhill · 1 seat · won at 64.0% · above quota
Pallion · 1 seat · won at 64.3% · above quota
Castle · 1 seat · won at 65.0% · above quota
Washington Central · 1 seat · won at 66.6% · above quota
Washington North · 1 seat · won at 68.2% · above quota

Race results

Barnes · single-seat

Marginal winner 40.3% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference +9.7 pts below quota Valid ballots 3,158

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Haque, A.	Labour Party	1,272	40.3%	Elected
2	Leonard, K.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,130	35.8%
3	Bilton, A.	Reform UK	296	9.4%
4	Ellis, T.	Liberal Democrats	248	7.9%
5	Tyers, M.	Green Party	212	6.7%

Electorate 8,238 · Ballots cast 3,158 · Back to ward index

St. Michaels · single-seat

Marginal winner 42.2% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference +7.8 pts below quota Valid ballots 3,394

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Graham-King, A.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,432	42.2%	Elected
2	Smith, C.	Labour Party	1,378	40.6%
3	Eynon, C.	Reform UK	273	8.0%
4	Appleton, J.	Green Party	201	5.9%
5	Wilson, C.	Liberal Democrats	110	3.2%

Electorate 8,487 · Ballots cast 3,394 · Back to ward index

St. Peters · single-seat

Marginal winner 43.4% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference +6.6 pts below quota Valid ballots 3,107

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	McKeith, J.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,348	43.4%	Elected
2	Newey, D.	Labour Party	1,160	37.3%
3	Lennox, J.	Liberal Democrats	254	8.2%
4	Featherstone, R.	Green Party	193	6.2%
5	Samme, K.	Reform UK	152	4.9%

Electorate 7,924 · Ballots cast 3,107 · Back to ward index

Washington South · single-seat

Marginal winner 43.6% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference +6.4 pts below quota Valid ballots 3,006

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Chapman, J.	Labour Party	1,311	43.6%	Elected
2	Noble, P.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,210	40.3%
3	Lorraine, D.	Reform UK	229	7.6%
4	Welsh, R.	Green Party	142	4.7%
5	Terry, S.	Liberal Democrats	114	3.8%

Electorate 7,628 · Ballots cast 3,006 · Back to ward index

Hendon · single-seat

Marginal winner 43.6% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference +6.4 pts below quota Valid ballots 2,013

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Scanlan, L.	Labour Party	878	43.6%	Elected
2	Donkin, S.	Liberal Democrats	865	43.0%
3	Young, G.	Conservative and Unionist Party	104	5.2%
4	Jones, I.	Reform UK	87	4.3%
5	Izaks, H.	Green Party	79	3.9%

Electorate 8,547 · Ballots cast 2,013 · Back to ward index

Hetton · single-seat

Marginal winner 44.9% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference +5.1 pts below quota Valid ballots 2,486

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Scott, I.	Labour Party	1,117	44.9%	Elected
2	Geddis, D.	Independent	812	32.7%
3	Sinclair, C.	Conservative and Unionist Party	210	8.4%
4	Woods-Brass, S.	Reform UK	157	6.3%
5	Lowe, R.	Green Party	101	4.1%
6	Ellis, I.	Liberal Democrats	89	3.6%

Electorate 9,279 · Ballots cast 2,486 · Back to ward index

Fulwell · single-seat

Marginal winner 48.1% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference +1.9 pts below quota Valid ballots 3,907

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Walton, P.	Liberal Democrats	1,879	48.1%	Elected
2	Sinclair, D.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,036	26.5%
3	Stafford, A.	Labour Party	718	18.4%
4	Hilton, L.	Reform UK	126	3.2%
5	Dufferwiel, L.	Green Party	108	2.8%
6	Jack, J.	OMRL	40	1.0%

Electorate 8,921 · Ballots cast 3,907 · Back to ward index

St. Annes · single-seat

Marginal winner 48.5% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference +1.5 pts below quota Valid ballots 2,022

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Hunter, C.	Labour Party	981	48.5%	Elected
2	Mann, P.	Conservative and Unionist Party	694	34.3%
3	Rumfitt, E.	Liberal Democrats	216	10.7%
4	Hughes, S.	Green Party	131	6.5%

Electorate 7,850 · Ballots cast 2,022 · Back to ward index

St. Chads · single-seat

Marginal winner 50.2% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −0.2 pts Valid ballots 2,584

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	McDonough, D.	Conservative and Unionist Party	1,296	50.2%	Elected
2	Old, M.	Labour Party	888	34.4%
3	Hurst, G.	Reform UK	164	6.3%
4	Burrows, S.	Green Party	124	4.8%
5	Usher, A.	Liberal Democrats	112	4.3%

Electorate 7,272 · Ballots cast 2,584 · Back to ward index

Copt Hill · single-seat

Marginal winner 50.8% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −0.8 pts Valid ballots 2,504

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Thornton, M.	Labour Party	1,273	50.8%	Elected
2	Dowell, P.	Independent	564	22.5%
3	Francis, P.	Conservative and Unionist Party	364	14.5%
4	Robertson, A.	Green Party	122	4.9%
5	Samme, S.	Reform UK	98	3.9%
6	Boddy, N.	Liberal Democrats	83	3.3%

Electorate 9,069 · Ballots cast 2,504 · Back to ward index

Ryhope · single-seat

Marginal winner 51.5% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −1.5 pts Valid ballots 2,620

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Leonard, L.	Labour Party	1,348	51.5%	Elected
2	Douglas, L.	Conservative and Unionist Party	596	22.7%
3	Thompson, T.	Reform UK	368	14.0%
4	Harker, M.	Green Party	166	6.3%
5	Ellis, J.	Liberal Democrats	142	5.4%

Electorate 8,697 · Ballots cast 2,620 · Back to ward index

Shiney Row · single-seat

Marginal winner 53.8% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −3.8 pts Valid ballots 2,791

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Snowdon, D.	Labour Party	1,501	53.8%	Elected
2	Vardy, R.	Conservative and Unionist Party	592	21.2%
3	Mower, T.	Green Party	310	11.1%
4	Proud, M.	Reform UK	177	6.3%
5	Peacock, M.	Liberal Democrats	137	4.9%
6	Gibson, L.	Independent	74	2.7%

Electorate 9,435 · Ballots cast 2,791 · Back to ward index

Silksworth · single-seat

Marginal winner 56.2% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −6.2 pts Valid ballots 2,594

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Laverick, J.	Labour Party	1,459	56.2%	Elected
2	Snaith, O.	Conservative and Unionist Party	493	19.0%
3	Crozier, C.	Green Party	346	13.3%
4	Ellis, M.	Reform UK	218	8.4%
5	Amatosi, M.	Liberal Democrats	78	3.0%

Electorate 7,921 · Ballots cast 2,594 · Back to ward index

Millfield · single-seat

Marginal winner 56.3% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −6.3 pts Valid ballots 2,660

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Potts, J.	Liberal Democrats	1,497	56.3%	Elected
2	Okojie, K.	Labour Party	872	32.8%
3	Barad, H.	Conservative and Unionist Party	134	5.0%
4	Bradley, R.	Green Party	71	2.7%
5	Craig, D.	Reform UK	59	2.2%
6	Johnson, J.	CPB	27	1.0%

Electorate 7,692 · Ballots cast 2,660 · Back to ward index

Washington East · single-seat

Marginal winner 56.4% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −6.4 pts Valid ballots 2,929

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Miller, F.	Labour Party	1,651	56.4%	Elected
2	Johnson, H.	Conservative and Unionist Party	780	26.6%
3	Alexander, L.	Reform UK	210	7.2%
4	Chantkowski, M.	Green Party	166	5.7%
5	Bond, R.	Liberal Democrats	122	4.2%

Electorate 8,878 · Ballots cast 2,929 · Back to ward index

Washington West · single-seat

Marginal winner 56.8% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −6.8 pts Valid ballots 2,699

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Trueman, H.	Labour Party	1,534	56.8%	Elected
2	Cosgrove, S.	Conservative and Unionist Party	570	21.1%
3	Leonard, P.	Green Party	228	8.4%
4	Bex, A.	Liberal Democrats	220	8.2%
5	Brown, K.	Reform UK	147	5.4%

Electorate 8,584 · Ballots cast 2,699 · Back to ward index

Doxford · single-seat

Marginal winner 59.2% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −9.2 pts Valid ballots 3,021

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Fagan, H.	Liberal Democrats	1,788	59.2%	Elected
2	Rowntree, A.	Labour Party	719	23.8%
3	Wiper, J.	Conservative and Unionist Party	301	10.0%
4	Hurst, D.	Reform UK	146	4.8%
5	Langley, A.	Green Party	67	2.2%

Electorate 8,127 · Ballots cast 3,021 · Back to ward index

Redhill · single-seat

Marginal winner 59.3% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −9.3 pts Valid ballots 1,712

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Usher, J.	Labour Party	1,015	59.3%	Elected
2	Farrer, N.	Reform UK	262	15.3%
3	Leishman, S.	Conservative and Unionist Party	215	12.6%
4	Dale, S.	Liberal Democrats	133	7.8%
5	Merton-Scott, J.	Green Party	87	5.1%

Electorate 7,828 · Ballots cast 1,712 · Back to ward index

Houghton · single-seat

Marginal winner 60.1% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −10.1 pts Valid ballots 2,704

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Heron, J.	Labour Party	1,625	60.1%	Elected
2	Morrison, C.	Conservative and Unionist Party	363	13.4%
3	Thomas, D.	Independent	269	9.9%
4	Holt, S.	Reform UK	206	7.6%
5	Boddy, S.	Liberal Democrats	128	4.7%
6	Kordbarlag, A.	Green Party	113	4.2%

Electorate 10,373 · Ballots cast 2,704 · Back to ward index

Southwick · single-seat

Marginal winner 60.2% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −10.2 pts Valid ballots 2,085

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Butler, M.	Labour Party	1,256	60.2%	Elected
2	Ritchie, L.	Conservative and Unionist Party	359	17.2%
3	Watt, P.	Reform UK	250	12.0%
4	Cutting, E.	Green Party	136	6.5%
5	Costa, H.	Liberal Democrats	84	4.0%

Electorate 7,964 · Ballots cast 2,085 · Back to ward index

Sandhill · single-seat

Marginal winner 64.0% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −14.0 pts Valid ballots 2,278

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	O'Brien, S.	Liberal Democrats	1,457	64.0%	Elected
2	Lakeman, K.	Labour Party	557	24.5%
3	Reed, C.	Conservative and Unionist Party	104	4.6%
4	Hudspith, C.	Reform UK	100	4.4%
5	Bradley, M.	Green Party	60	2.6%

Electorate 7,680 · Ballots cast 2,278 · Back to ward index

Pallion · single-seat

Marginal winner 64.3% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −14.3 pts Valid ballots 2,581

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Haswell, M.	Liberal Democrats	1,659	64.3%	Elected
2	Noble, K.	Labour Party	715	27.7%
3	Gibson, G.	Conservative and Unionist Party	93	3.6%
4	Lathan, R.	Reform UK	75	2.9%
5	Lynch, D.	Green Party	39	1.5%

Electorate 7,742 · Ballots cast 2,581 · Back to ward index

Castle · single-seat

Marginal winner 65.0% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −15.0 pts Valid ballots 1,901

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Foster, S.	Labour Party	1,235	65.0%	Elected
2	Burke, P.	Conservative and Unionist Party	258	13.6%
3	Middleton, P.	Reform UK	196	10.3%
4	Coupland, M.	Liberal Democrats	125	6.6%
5	Ogle, G.	Green Party	87	4.6%

Electorate 8,090 · Ballots cast 1,901 · Back to ward index

Washington Central · single-seat

Marginal winner 66.6% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −16.6 pts Valid ballots 2,713

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Jones, B.	Labour Party	1,806	66.6%	Elected
2	Jaitay, A.	Conservative and Unionist Party	505	18.6%
3	Hilton, D.	Reform UK	158	5.8%
4	Moore, R.	Green Party	145	5.3%
5	Wood, L.	Liberal Democrats	99	3.6%

Electorate 8,312 · Ballots cast 2,713 · Back to ward index

Washington North · single-seat

Marginal winner 68.2% Proportional quota 50.0% Difference −18.2 pts Valid ballots 2,132

Rank	Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Elected
1	Walker, P.	Labour Party	1,455	68.2%	Elected
2	Rakhimova, S.	Conservative and Unionist Party	275	12.9%
3	Brown, E.	Reform UK	163	7.6%
4	Lynch, K.	Green Party	131	6.1%
5	Arnott, G.	Liberal Democrats	108	5.1%

Electorate 7,943 · Ballots cast 2,132 · Back to ward index