Colchester Borough Council election, 2012

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Colchester Borough Council election, 2012
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20 seats (out of 60 seats)
31 seats needed for a majority

 First partySecond party
  No image wide.svg No image wide.svg
Party Liberal Democrat Conservative
Seats before26
seats up: 9		21
seats up: 7
Seats won96
Seats after2620
Seat changeSteady2.svgDecrease2.svg1
Popular vote10,0738,917
Percentage32.638.9
SwingDecrease2.svg4.6Decrease2.svg8.4
 Third partyFourth party
  No image wide.svg No image wide.svg
Party Labour Independent
Seats before7
seats up: 3		3
seats up: 1
Seats won41
Seats after83
Seat changeIncrease2.svg1Steady2.svg
Popular vote7,4011,405
Percentage24.04.5
SwingIncrease2.svg11.0Decrease2.svg1.0

The 2012 Colchester Borough Council election took place on 3 May 2012 to elect members of Colchester Borough Council in Essex, England. One third of the council was up for election and the council stayed under no overall control. [1]

Borough status in the United Kingdom is granted by royal charter to local government districts in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The status is purely honorary, and does not give any additional powers to the council or inhabitants of the district. In Scotland, similarly chartered communities were known as royal burghs, although the status is no longer granted.

Essex County of England

Essex is a county in the south-east of England, north-east of London. One of the home counties, it borders Suffolk and Cambridgeshire to the north, Hertfordshire to the west, Kent across the estuary of the River Thames to the south, and London to the south-west. The county town is Chelmsford, the only city in the county. For government statistical purposes Essex is placed in the East of England region.

England Country in north-west Europe, part of the United Kingdom

England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Wales to the west and Scotland to the north-northwest. The Irish Sea lies west of England and the Celtic Sea lies to the southwest. England is separated from continental Europe by the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south. The country covers five-eighths of the island of Great Britain, which lies in the North Atlantic, and includes over 100 smaller islands, such as the Isles of Scilly and the Isle of Wight.

Contents

After the election, the composition of the council was

Liberal Democrats (UK) Political party in the United Kingdom

The Liberal Democrats are a liberal political party in the United Kingdom. They presently have 11 Members of Parliament in the House of Commons, 96 members of the House of Lords, and one member of the European Parliament. They also have five Members of the Scottish Parliament and a member each in the Welsh Assembly and London Assembly. The party reached the height of its influence in the early 2010s, forming a junior partner in a coalition government from 2010 to 2015. It is presently led by Vince Cable.

Conservative Party (UK) Political party in the United Kingdom

The Conservative Party, officially the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom. Presently led by Theresa May, it has been the governing party since 2010. It presently has 314 Members of Parliament in the House of Commons, 249 members of the House of Lords, and 18 members of the European Parliament. It also has 31 Members of the Scottish Parliament, 12 members of the Welsh Assembly, eight members of the London Assembly and 9,008 local councillors. One of the major parties of UK politics, it has formed the government on 45 occasions, more than any other party.

The Labour Party is a centre-left political party in the United Kingdom which has been described as an alliance of social democrats, democratic socialists and trade unionists. The party's platform emphasises greater state intervention, social justice and strengthening workers' rights.

Campaign

Before the election a coalition between the Liberal Democrats with 26 seats, Labour with 7 seats and the 3 independents ran the council, while the 24 Conseravtives were in opposition. [2] 20 of the seats were contested at the election with the Conservatives aiming to regain seats they had lost at the 2008 election, while the Local Government Information Unit called the election one of the top 50 contests in the 2012 local elections. [2]

The Local Government information Unit (LGiU) is a London-based thinktank and registered charity. Established in 1983 as a membership organisation for UK local authorities, the LGiU states that its mission is to strengthen local democracy and put citizens in control of their own lives, communities and services. The LGiU has around 200 local authority members and a wide range of associate members and partner organisations.

The Conservatives called for the council to change to full council elections every four years, for food waste pick ups to be introduced immediately and for a push to keep the town centre clean. [2] However the Liberal Democrats defended their record in leading the council pointing to a freeze in council tax, recycling rates and contrasted their record in control with the former Conservative administration. [3] Meanwhile, Labour was supported during the campaign by a visit from the former Labour cabinet minister Hazel Blears. [4]

Recycling process using materials into new products to prevent waste of potentially useful materials

Recycling is the process of converting waste materials into new materials and objects. It is an alternative to "conventional" waste disposal that can save material and help lower greenhouse gas emissions. Recycling can prevent the waste of potentially useful materials and reduce the consumption of fresh raw materials, thereby reducing: energy usage, air pollution, and water pollution.

Cabinet (government) group of high ranking officials, usually representing the executive branch of government

A Cabinet is a body of high-ranking state officials, typically consisting of the top leaders of the executive branch. Members of a cabinet are usually called Cabinet ministers or secretaries. The function of a Cabinet varies: in some countries it is a collegiate decision-making body with collective responsibility, while in others it may function either as a purely advisory body or an assisting institution to a decision making head of state or head of government. Cabinets are typically the body responsible for the day-to-day management of the government and response to sudden events, whereas the legislative and judicial branches work in a measured pace, in sessions according to lengthy procedures.

Hazel Blears British politician

Hazel Anne Blears is a British Labour Party politician, who was the Member of Parliament (MP) for Salford and Eccles from 2010 to 2015, when she stood down. Prior to the creation of the Salford and Eccles constituency, she was the MP for Salford from 1997.

Election result

The only change at the election saw Labour gain one seat from the Conservatives in Wivenhoe Quay. [5] Meanwhile, the Liberal Democrats remained the largest party on the council with 26 seats despite losing seats across the country. [5] The existing coalition between the Liberal Democrats, Labour and independents stayed in control of the council after the election. [6]

Wivenhoe town in north eastern Essex, England, United Kingdom

Wivenhoe is a town and civil parish in north eastern Essex, England, approximately 3 miles (4.8 km) south east of Colchester. Historically Wivenhoe village, on the banks of the River Colne, and Wivenhoe Cross, on the higher ground to the north, were two separate settlements but with considerable development in the 19th century the two have merged.

Colchester Borough Council Election, 2012 [7]
PartySeatsGainsLossesNet gain/lossSeats %Votes %Votes+/−
  Liberal Democrat 900045.032.610,073-4.6
  Conservative 601-130.028.98,917-8.4
  Labour 410+120.024.07,401+11.0
  Independent 10005.04.51,405-1.0
  Green 000007.32,268-1.2
  UKIP 000002.7824N/A

Changes in vote share are compared to the 2008 election as that is the last election to which results can be directly compared. This is due to the nature of Colchester's staggered elections in that the exact set of seats are only up for election once every 4 years.

Ward results

Map of the results of the 2012 Colchester council election. Colchester UK local election 2012 map.svg
Map of the results of the 2012 Colchester council election.
Berechurch Ward [7]
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Labour Co-op Kim Alan Naish1,04458.2-6.4
Liberal Democrat Shibbir Ahmed28616.0+2.2
UKIP John Pitts21912.2+12.2
Conservative Hayley Louise Crumb19210.7-7.9
Green Tobie Glenny522.9-0.1
Majority75842.3-3.7
Turnout 1,79327.6-10.7
Labour hold Swing
Castle Ward [7]
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Liberal Democrat Josephine Hayes86140.4+0.3
Green Peter James Lynn39518.6-7.1
Conservative Mohammed Shamim Rashid38217.9-3.1
Labour Robert Fisher28513.4+0.2
UKIP Ron Levy2069.7+9.7
Majority46621.9+7.6
Turnout 2,12930.0-9.5
Liberal Democrat hold Swing
Dedham & Langham Ward [7]
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Conservative Mark Ashley Cable59671.3-11.5
Liberal Democrat Carolyn Catney819.7+0.3
Labour Paul Henry Fryer-Kelsey819.7+5.4
Green Clarice Elizabeth Mort789.3+5.8
Majority51561.6-11.8
Turnout 83634.2-11.4
Conservative hold Swing
East Donyland Ward [7]
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Labour Michael Edward Charles Lilley48864.5+21.7
Conservative Peter James Hare20927.6-14.4
Green Roger Edwin Bamforth395.2-1.9
Liberal Democrat Susan Mary Waite212.8-5.4
Majority27936.9+36.0
Turnout 75737.3-3.9
Labour hold Swing
Harbour Ward [7]
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Liberal Democrat Julia Pauline Havis66354.7-3.2
Labour Jordan Alexander Newall29824.6+11.5
UKIP Mark Robert Cole917.5+7.5
Conservative Anthony Baines846.9-16.4
Green Clare Teresa Palmer776.3+0.6
Majority36530.1-4.6
Turnout 1,21327.6-28.3
Liberal Democrat hold Swing
Highwoods Ward [7]
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Independent Beverley Anne Oxford1,21167.8+6.4
Conservative Tatiana Mills1679.4-7.3
Labour Michael Finbarr Gilheany1458.1-0.1
Liberal Democrat Barry Ronald Woodward1106.2-3.0
UKIP William John Rowley804.5+4.5
Green David John Davis724.0-0.5
Majority1,04458.5+13.8
Turnout 1,78526.3-10.7
Independent hold Swing
Lexden Ward [7]
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Conservative Brian David Henry Jarvis83354.2-1.3
Liberal Democrat Julia Suzanne Nelson39926.0-8.8
Labour John Christopher Wood17411.3+5.9
Green Beverley Ann Maltby1318.5+4.3
Majority43428.2+7.5
Turnout 1,53735.7-36.4
Conservative hold Swing
Marks Tey Ward [7]
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Conservative Elizabeth Jewell Blundell31354.4-9.3
Labour John Spademan16228.2+10.8
Green Robert Charles Brannan508.7+2.3
Liberal Democrat Gillian Mary Collings508.7-8.7
Majority15126.3-20.0
Turnout 57528.5-6.0
Conservative hold Swing
Mile End Ward [7]
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Liberal Democrat Martin Andrew Goss1,46764.4+3.5
Conservative Benjamin Harvey Locker53523.5-1.1
Labour Michael John Donnachie1848.1-1.8
Green Mary Hilda Bryan914.0-0.6
Majority93240.9+4.6
Turnout 2,27730.7-10.0
Liberal Democrat hold Swing
New Town Ward [7]
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Liberal Democrat Peter Michael Higgins77152.8+3.4
Labour Stephen Paul Pattison27318.7-4.7
Green Robert Paul Spence16611.4-2.7
Conservative Lauren Grace McManus1319.0-4.1
UKIP Christopher David Treloar1208.2+8.2
Majority49834.1+8.1
Turnout 1,46123.5-10.5
Liberal Democrat hold Swing
Prettygate Ward [7]
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Conservative Beverly Ann Davies1,04847.2+0.2
Liberal Democrat John Martin Loxley66529.9-8.0
Labour Co-op Michael Edward Dale33214.9+4.4
Green Peter Charles Appleton1778.0+3.3
Majority38317.2+8.1
Turnout 2,22237.3-18.1
Conservative hold Swing
St Andrew's Ward [7]
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Labour Tina Jane Dopson92661.3-6.3
Independent Robert Rex Hunt19412.8+12.8
Liberal Democrat Owen Leslie Bartholomew17511.6-1.9
UKIP Harry Raymond Royle1087.2+7.2
Conservative Alexander Jordan Evelyn1077.1-7.4
Majority73248.5-4.5
Turnout 1,51024.5-5.5
Labour hold Swing
St Anne's Ward [7]
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Liberal Democrat Gaik Choon Chuah82555.2+5.3
Labour Luke Michael Powell Dopson30520.4+1.0
Conservative Alexandra Claire Hutchinson23415.7-7.8
Green Lucinda Helen Glover1308.7+1.5
Majority52034.8+8.4
Turnout 1,49423.3-10.0
Liberal Democrat hold Swing
St John's Ward [7]
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Liberal Democrat Paul Edward Smith99464.4+2.3
Conservative Charles Christian McKay33321.6-5.9
Labour Jennifer Mary Fisher1368.8+1.4
Green David Traynier815.2+2.2
Majority66142.8+8.2
Turnout 1,54437.6-34.3
Liberal Democrat hold Swing
Shrub End Ward [7]
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Liberal Democrat David Nigel Offen74543.8+10.1
Conservative Darius Grant Laws51430.3-9.0
Labour Bruce John Tuxford33419.7-1.6
Green Walter Schwarz1066.2+0.5
Majority23113.6
Turnout 1,69925.0-7.9
Liberal Democrat hold Swing
Stanway Ward [7]
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Liberal Democrat Laura Ann Sykes1,13455.0+4.4
Conservative Bryan Campbell Johnston52025.2-6.0
Labour David Alexander Hough29714.4+0.2
Green Pamela Elizabeth Nelson1115.4+1.5
Majority61429.8+10.4
Turnout 2,06232.7-10.9
Liberal Democrat hold Swing
Tiptree Ward [7]
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Conservative Richard Martin77248.1-10.5
Labour Martyn Keith Warnes58036.1+10.2
Green Katherine Helen Bamforth1569.7+2.4
Liberal Democrat Beth Eileen Margaret Gudgeon976.0-2.3
Majority19212.0-20.7
Turnout 1,60526.8-13.6
Conservative hold Swing
West Mersea Ward [7]
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Conservative Glenn Darren Granger1,19669.1+13.9
Labour Barbara Rosemary Nichols26715.4+5.1
Green Francis Ian Barton1388.0+3.5
Liberal Democrat Jennifer Stevens1307.5+0.4
Majority92953.7+21.3
Turnout 1,73129.2-20.4
Conservative hold Swing
Wivenhoe Cross Ward [7]
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Liberal Democrat Jonathan Simon Manning47752.8+1.5
Conservative Mo Metcalf-Fisher19221.3+2.7
Labour Co-op Tyron Ashleigh Wilson17519.4-3.7
Green Maria Iacovou596.5-0.6
Majority28531.6+3.4
Turnout 90325.0-11.8
Liberal Democrat hold Swing
Wivenhoe Quay Ward [7]
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Labour Co-op Cyril Patrick Liddy91552.1-5.0
Conservative Robert Arthur Needham55931.9+6.3
Green Sandra Adele Moog1599.1-0.6
Liberal Democrat Benjamin David Edward Richards1227.0-0.7
Majority35620.3-11.2
Turnout 1,75541.7-11.6
Labour Co-op gain from Conservative Swing

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References

  1. 1 2 "Colchester". BBC News Online. 4 May 2012. Retrieved 1 June 2014.
  2. 1 2 3 "We'll give borough a new lease of life". The Gazette. NewsBank. 13 April 2012.
  3. ↑ Calnan, James (17 April 2012). "Colchester Lib Dems want to build on achievements since 2008". Daily Gazette. Retrieved 2 June 2014.
  4. ↑ "Hazel joins Labour campaign trail around town". The Gazette. NewsBank. 20 April 2012.
  5. 1 2 "Colchester Council: Labour gain one seat from Conservatives". Daily Gazette. 4 May 2012. Retrieved 2 June 2014.
  6. ↑ "Food waste priority as coalition stays at helm in Colchester". The Gazette. NewsBank. 21 May 2012.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 "Declaration of result of poll". Colchester Borough Council. Retrieved 1 June 2014.
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