Swindon Borough Council election, 2006

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Map of the results of the 2006 Swindon council election. Conservatives in blue, Labour in red and Liberal Democrat in yellow. Wards in grey were not contested in 2006. Swindon 2006 election map.png
Map of the results of the 2006 Swindon council election. Conservatives in blue, Labour in red and Liberal Democrat in yellow. Wards in grey were not contested in 2006.

The 2006 Swindon Borough Council election took place on 4 May 2006 to elect members of Swindon Unitary Council in Wiltshire, England. One third of the council was up for election and the Conservative party stayed in overall control of the council. [1]

A unitary authority is a type of local authority that has a single tier and is responsible for all local government functions within its area or performs additional functions which elsewhere in the relevant country are usually performed by national government or a higher level of sub-national government.

Wiltshire County of England

Wiltshire is a county in South West England with an area of 3,485 km2. It is landlocked and borders the counties of Dorset, Somerset, Hampshire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire. The county town was originally Wilton, after which the county is named, but Wiltshire Council is now based in the county town of Trowbridge.

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

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. Labour is a full member of the Party of European Socialists and Progressive Alliance, and holds observer status in the Socialist International. As of 2017, the party was considered the "largest party in Western Europe" in terms of party membership, with more than half a million members.

Liberal Democrats (UK) Political party in the United Kingdom

The Liberal Democrats are a liberal, centrist 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.

Campaign

19 seats were contested in the election, with a total of 70 candidates standing and 10 sitting councillors not defending their seats. [3] From the parties defending seats in the election these included 19 each from the Conservative and Labour parties and 15 Liberal Democrats. [3] Other candidates included 11 from the Green party, 2 Socialist Unity and 3 independents. [4] The election also saw the British National Party (BNP) stand for Swindon council for the first time, with one candidate, Reg Bates, standing in Gorse Hill and Pinehurst ward. [5] His candidature led a group comprising trade unions, the Labour party, community groups and some independent socialists to form an alliance in opposition to the BNP. [5]

A Councillor is a member of a local government council.

Green Party of England and Wales Political party in England and Wales

The Green Party of England and Wales is a green, left-wing political party in England and Wales. Headquartered in London, since September 2018, its Co-Leaders are Siân Berry and Jonathan Bartley. The Green Party has one Member of Parliament in the House of Commons, one representative in the House of Lords, and three Members of the European Parliament. It has various councillors in UK local government and two members of the London Assembly.

The Socialist Unity Network was a small network of the far-left in the United Kingdom which was not affiliated with any single political party. It grew out of the Socialist Alliance (SA) in England, and was initiated by several non-aligned members of the SA executive in March 2004.

Issues in the election included regeneration, with the different parties proposing different ideas including a library, art gallery, redeveloped car park and the preservation of green spaces. [6] The Conservatives defended their record in control of the council, saying that they had improved services and increased council tax by lower percentages than Labour had when they had been in control of the council. [4] Labour said they would protect services the Conservatives were cutting, deal with anti-social behaviour and criticised the Conservatives for increasing council tax. [4] Meanwhile, the Liberal Democrats said they would stand up for local residents and make the town centre attractive for everyone. [4]

Anti-social behaviours are actions that harm or lack consideration for the well-being of others. It has also been defined as any type of conduct that violates the basic rights of another person and any behaviour that is considered to be disruptive to others in society. This can be carried out in various ways, which includes but is not limited to intentional aggression, as well as covert and overt hostility. Anti-social behaviour also develops through social interaction within the family and community. It continuously affects a child's temperament, cognitive ability and their involvement with negative peers, dramatically affecting children's problem solving skills. Many people also label behaviour which is deemed contrary to prevailing norms for social conduct as anti-social behaviour. However, researchers have stated that it is a difficult term to define, particularly in the United Kingdom where there are an infinite number of acts that fall into its category. The term is especially used in British English.

For the election a new website was launched by the council where voters could register in order to get reminders to vote, in an effort to increase turnout. [7]

Voter turnout percentage of eligible voters who cast a ballot in an election

Voter turnout is the percentage of eligible voters who cast a ballot in an election. Eligibility varies by country, and the voting-eligible population should not be confused with the total adult population. Age and citizenship status are often among the criteria used to determine eligibility, but some countries further restrict eligibility based on sex, race, or religion.

Election result

The results saw the Conservatives strengthen their control of the council after gaining 5 seats to hold 40 of the 59 seats. [8] 3 of the gains came from Labour who were reduced to 14 seats, [9] with both of Labour's Swindon Members of Parliament blaming the defeats on national issues. [8] The other two Conservative gains were from the Liberal Democrats who fell to 3 seats, while the 2 independent councillors were not defending seats in 2006. [9] Overall turnout in the election was 34.21%, up on the 32.7% in the 2004 election. [9]

Swindon Local Election Result 2006 [10] [11]
PartySeatsGainsLossesNet gain/lossSeats %Votes %Votes+/−
  Conservative 1350+568.447.620,819+2.5%
  Labour 503−326.330.213,203+2.4%
  Liberal Democrat 102−25.314.16,156−6.2%
  Green 000005.82,534+0.9%
  Independent 000001.0458+0.6%
  BNP 000000.7319+0.7%
  Socialist Unity 000000.6244+0.6%

Ward results

Abbey Meads [10]
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Conservative J Tomlinson1,32970.4+12.2
Labour G Lawson26113.8−7.3
Liberal Democrat L Sharp1588.4−12.3
Green E Bushell1397.4+7.4
Majority1,06856.6+19.5
Turnout 1,887
Conservative hold Swing
Blunsdon [10]
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Conservative G Dart87583.7+11.5
Labour J Sefton17116.3+1.8
Majority70467.3+9.6
Turnout 1,046
Conservative hold Swing
Central [10]
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Labour R Wright1,00546.5+3.9
Conservative K Leakey64229.7+4.1
Liberal Democrat H Thompson31714.7-4.7
Green K Evans1396.4−2.2
Independent D Rowland562.6+2.6
Majority36316.8−0.2
Turnout 2,159
Labour hold Swing
Covingham and Nythe [10]
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Conservative P Young1,52657.5+5.4
Labour M Dilley1,12642.5+9.8
Majority40015.1−4.3
Turnout 2,652
Conservative gain from Labour Swing
Dorcan [10]
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Conservative A James1,26649.1−1.5
Labour N Butler78530.4-2.1
Liberal Democrat E Aylett31112.0−4.9
Green S Smith2198.5+8.5
Majority48118.6+0.5
Turnout 2,581
Conservative hold Swing
Eastcott [10]
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Liberal Democrat D Wood1,20148.9+2.7
Labour M Ofori50820.7−0.2
Conservative P Gregory48319.7−1.6
Green J Hughes26310.7−0.9
Majority69328.2+3.4
Turnout 2,455
Liberal Democrat hold Swing
Freshbrook and Grange Park [10]
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Conservative M Bray1,12745.2+2.5
Liberal Democrat H Teague83533.5−6.2
Labour N Heavens36414.6-3.0
Green M Harrison1666.7+6.7
Majority29211.7+8.7
Turnout 2,492
Conservative gain from Liberal Democrat Swing
Gorse Hill and Pinehurst [10]
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Labour M Fanning82541.3−2.9
Conservative R Barnett42121.1−6.0
BNP R Bates31916.0+16.0
Liberal Democrat D Pajak1698.5−8.9
Independent C Hunt1547.7+7.7
Socialist Unity R North1095.5-5.9
Majority40420.2+3.0
Turnout 1,997
Labour hold Swing
Haydon Wick [10]
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Conservative D Ranard1,36855.8+1.1
Labour I Carroll69728.4+3.6
Liberal Democrat A Sharp38515.7−4.8
Majority67127.4−2.5
Turnout 2,450
Conservative hold Swing
Highworth [10]
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Conservative J Short1,42354.8+3.7
Labour A Durrant69126.6+0.9
Green A Day28210.9+2.8
Liberal Democrat C Shepherd2027.8−7.3
Majority73228.2+2.8
Turnout 2,598
Conservative hold Swing
Moredon [10]
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Conservative D Wren1,04745.0+0.9
Labour D Montaut1,01043.4+5.0
Liberal Democrat J Pajak26911.6−1.1
Majority371.6-4.1
Turnout 2,326
Conservative gain from Labour Swing
Old Town and Lawn [10]
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Conservative B Mattock2,02058.6+2.6
Liberal Democrat M Wheaver58617.0−8.3
Labour R Brooks49514.3+5.5
Green C Smith34910.1+0.3
Majority1,43441.6+10.9
Turnout 3,450
Conservative gain from Liberal Democrat Swing
Parks [10]
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Labour B Thompson69442.6−1.1
Conservative G Cherry58035.6+12.0
Green D Miles35521.8+10.7
Majority1147.0−13.1
Turnout 1,629
Labour hold Swing
Penhill [10]
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Labour D Glaholm54445.2−5.4
Liberal Democrat T Hudson37230.9+4.0
Conservative H Tomlinson28723.9+9.7
Majority17214.3−9.4
Turnout 1,203
Labour hold Swing
Shaw and Nine Elms [10]
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Conservative K Williams1,25560.2+5.3
Labour J Doyle37718.1+2.1
Liberal Democrat J Farr27012.9−1.0
Green J Miles1848.8+1.1
Majority87842.1+3.2
Turnout 2,086
Conservative hold Swing
St Margaret [10]
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Conservative M Edwards1,56963.4+9.0
Labour M Spry90436.6+9.6
Majority66526.9−0.5
Turnout 2,473
Conservative hold Swing
St Philip [10]
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Conservative D Sammels1,11741.8−2.1
Labour T Page1,09441.0+0.4
Liberal Democrat A Richards2308.6-0.3
Green R Smith2308.6+2.0
Majority230.9−2.5
Turnout 2,671
Conservative gain from Labour Swing
Western [10]
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Labour K Small1,22646.3+6.9
Conservative J Milton87032.9−0.4
Liberal Democrat M Cousens41715.7+5.3
Socialist Unity A Newman1355.1+5.1
Majority35613.4+8.4
Turnout 2,648
Labour hold Swing
Wroughton and Chiseldon [10]
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Conservative E Shaw1,61455.1-0.8
Liberal Democrat L Newman43414.8−7.7
Labour M Gladman42614.5−0.5
Independent J Newman2488.5+8.5
Green R Heritage2087.1+0.5
Majority1,18040.3+7.0
Turnout 2,930
Conservative hold Swing

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References

  1. ↑ "Local elections: Swindon". BBC News Online . Retrieved 2010-10-30.
  2. ↑ "Local elections 2006: Results in full". The Guardian. 2006-05-06. p. 20.
  3. 1 2 "It's your choice..." This is Wiltshire.co.uk. 2006-04-07. Retrieved 2010-10-30.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "Time to have your say". Swindon Advertiser . 2006-05-03. Retrieved 2010-10-30.
  5. 1 2 "Don't let BNP get a grip in our town - groups unite to fight the BNP". This is Wiltshire.co.uk. 2006-04-18. Retrieved 2010-10-30.
  6. ↑ "Making a new start". Swindon Advertiser . 2006-04-27. Retrieved 2010-10-30.
  7. ↑ "Website ticks all the right boxes". This is Wiltshire.co.uk. 2006-04-10. Retrieved 2010-10-30.
  8. 1 2 "Labour slide has 'bottomed out'". Swindon Advertiser . 2006-05-06. Retrieved 2010-10-30.
  9. 1 2 3 "Town's pilot may take off". Swindon Advertiser . 2006-05-10. Retrieved 2010-10-30.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 "Local Elections 2006". Local Elections Archive Project. Retrieved 2010-10-30.
  11. ↑ "Local elections". The Times. 2006-05-06. p. 64.
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