2019 UK local government election
The 2019 Cotswold District Council election took place on 2 May 2019 to elect all members of Cotswold District Council, as part of the United Kingdom local elections. The Conservatives had controlled the council since 2003 but lost ten seats. The Liberal Democrats won overall control of the council for the first time since the council's creation in 1974. The Green Party also won their first seat on the council since the council's creation.
The Tetbury Town ward was decided by one vote. The returning officer reportedly decided the seat by allocating a doubtful ballot paper that had the word "BREXIT" written across it with an arrow pointing to the Conservative candidate, Stephen Hirst, in favour of Hirst. The hitherto tied candidate, Independent David Painter, described it as a "travesty of justice" and said "no wonder people are turned off voting". Painter sought to raise £2,500 to begin a legal challenge against the returning officer's decision.[1] The council maintained that the returning officer's decision was in line with guidance from the Electoral Commission.[2]
Summary
Election result
2019 Cotswold District Council election |
Party | Candidates | Seats | Gains | Losses | Net gain/loss | Seats % | Votes % | Votes | +/− |
| Liberal Democrats | 29 | 18 | 8 | 0 | 8 | 52.9 | 44.5 | 12,255 | 11.1 |
| Conservative | 34 | 14 | 0 | 10 | 10 | 41.2 | 38.9 | 10,727 | 15.9 |
| Independent | 6 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2.9 | 5.7 | 1,570 | 4.4 |
| Green | 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2.9 | 5.0 | 1,370 | 2.3 |
| Labour | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | | 0.0 | 3.1 | 857 | 0.2 |
| UKIP | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | | 0.0 | 2.9 | 793 | 1.7 |
Ward results
Abbey Ward
Cirencester Abbey Ward Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Liberal Democrats | Mark Harris* | 573 | 75.2 | +22.0 |
| Conservative | Rebecca Senior | 127 | 16.7 | -20.4 |
| Labour | Alan Mackenzie | 62 | 8.1 | N/A |
Majority | 446 | 58.5 | |
Turnout | | 40.4 | |
| Liberal Democrats hold | Swing | | |
Blockley Ward
Blockley Ward Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Conservative | Sue Jepson* | 394 | 56.2 | -5.9 |
| Liberal Democrats | Bella McMillan-Scott | 179 | 25.5 | -12.4 |
| Green | Clare Turner | 128 | 18.3 | N/A |
Majority | 215 | 30.7 | |
Turnout | | 34.2 | |
| Conservative hold | Swing | | |
Bourton Vale Ward
Bourton Vale Ward Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Conservative | Richard Keeling* | 494 | 64.4 | -8.1 |
| Liberal Democrats | Malcolm Lilley | 273 | 35.6 | +8.1 |
Majority | 221 | 28.8 | |
Turnout | | 35.7 | |
| Conservative hold | Swing | | |
Bourton Village Ward
Bourton Village Ward Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Liberal Democrats | Nick Maunder | 470 | 55.0 | +5.8 |
| Conservative | Len Wilkins* | 385 | 45.0 | -5.8 |
Majority | 85 | 10.0 | |
Turnout | | 35.2 | |
| Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative | Swing | | |
Campden and Vale Ward
Campden and Vale Ward (2 seats) Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Conservative | Gina Blomefield | 888 | 49.2 | -5.1 |
| Conservative | Mark Annett* | 829 | 46.0 | -11.7 |
| UKIP | Rob McNeil-Wilson | 623 | 34.5 | +17.3 |
| Liberal Democrats | Marcus Efstratiou | 521 | 28.9 | +7.4 |
Majority | 206 | | |
Turnout | | 37.7 | |
| Conservative hold | Swing | | |
| Conservative hold | Swing | | |
Chedworth and Churn Valley Ward
Chedworth and Churn Valley Ward Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Liberal Democrats | Jenny Forde* | 586 | 57.6 | +7.5 |
| Independent | David Broad | 201 | 19.7 | -30.2 |
| Conservative | Stephen Senior | 180 | 17.7 | -32.2 |
| UKIP | Christopher Harlow | 52 | 5.1 | N/A |
Majority | 385 | 37.9 | |
Turnout | | 51.4 | |
| Liberal Democrats hold | Swing | | |
Chesterton Ward
Cirencester Chesterton Ward Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Liberal Democrats | Roly Hughes* | 538 | 85.5 | +39.6 |
| Conservative | Diana Mackenzie-Charrington | 91 | 14.5 | -17.1 |
Majority | 447 | 71.0 | |
Turnout | | 34.1 | |
| Liberal Democrats hold | Swing | | |
Coln Valley Ward
Coln Valley Ward Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Conservative | Ray Theodoulou* | 459 | 58.7 | -10.1 |
| Liberal Democrats | Joanna Walker | 186 | 23.8 | +5.0 |
| Green | Michael Poole | 137 | 17.5 | +5.2 |
Majority | 273 | 34.9 | |
Turnout | | 39.7 | |
| Conservative hold | Swing | | |
Ermin Ward
Ermin Ward Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Conservative | Julia Judd | 464 | 57.9 | -0.2 |
| Liberal Democrats | Ed Smith | 338 | 42.1 | +9.3 |
Majority | 126 | 15.8 | |
Turnout | | 39.9 | |
| Conservative hold | Swing | | |
Fairford North Ward
Following the 2017 by-election, this ward was held by the Liberal Democrats.[3]
Fairford North Ward Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Liberal Democrats | Andrew Doherty* | 493 | 69.2 | +41.4 |
| Conservative | Rob Stead | 219 | 30.8 | -20.3 |
Majority | 274 | 38.4 | |
Turnout | | 36.4 | |
| Liberal Democrats hold | Swing | | |
Fosseridge Ward
Fosseridge Ward Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Conservative | Julian Beale* | 620 | 68.7 | -2.9 |
| Liberal Democrats | Dominique Simpson | 282 | 31.3 | +17.0 |
Majority | 338 | 37.4 | |
Turnout | | 42.9 | |
| Conservative hold | Swing | | |
Four Acres Ward
Cirencester Four Acres Ward Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Liberal Democrats | Ray Brassington* | 407 | 69.6 | +17.1 |
| Conservative | Edward Horsfall | 140 | 23.9 | -10.5 |
| Labour | Richard Guilding | 38 | 6.5 | N/A |
Majority | 267 | 45.7 | |
Turnout | | 38.3 | |
| Liberal Democrats hold | Swing | | |
Grumbolds Ash with Avening Ward
Grumbolds Ash with Avening Ward Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Conservative | Richard Morgan* | 460 | 61.3 | -10.2 |
| Liberal Democrats | Nicky Baber | 172 | 22.9 | -5.6 |
| Labour | Ed Shelton | 118 | 15.7 | N/A |
Majority | 288 | 38.4 | |
Turnout | | 37.2 | |
| Conservative hold | Swing | | |
Kemble Ward
Kemble Ward Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Conservative | Tony Berry* | 538 | 57.9 | -4.3 |
| Green | Sabrina Poole | 262 | 28.2 | N/A |
| Labour | Sian Smith | 68 | 7.3 | N/A |
| UKIP | John Fleming | 61 | 6.6 | -3.6 |
Majority | 276 | 29.7 | |
Turnout | | 44.2 | |
| Conservative hold | Swing | | |
Lechlade, Kempsford and Fairford South Ward
Lechlade, Kempsford and Fairford South Ward (2 seats) Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Conservative | Stephen Andrews* | 829 | 52.0 | +2.2 |
| Conservative | Steve Trotter | 826 | 51.8 | -5.2 |
| Liberal Democrats | Kara Wise | 483 | 30.3 | +10.2 |
| Green | Xanthe Messenger | 468 | 29.4 | N/A |
| Labour | Trevor Smith | 235 | 14.7 | +1.3 |
Majority | 343 | | |
Turnout | | 33.6 | |
| Conservative hold | Swing | | |
| Conservative hold | Swing | | |
Moreton East Ward
Moreton East Ward Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Liberal Democrats | Rachel Coxcoon | 585 | 62.8 | +48.3 |
| Conservative | David Cunningham | 314 | 33.7 | -33.6 |
| Labour | Simon Cohen | 33 | 3.5 | -14.7 |
Majority | 271 | 29.1 | |
Turnout | | 41.8 | |
| Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative | Swing | | |
Moreton West Ward
Moreton West Ward Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Liberal Democrats | Clive Webster | 468 | 55.2 | +32.1 |
| Conservative | Alison Coggins* | 380 | 44.8 | -32.1 |
Majority | 88 | 10.4 | |
Turnout | | 44.1 | |
| Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative | Swing | | |
New Mills Ward
Cirencester New Mills Ward Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Liberal Democrats | Claire Bloomer | 353 | 75.9 | +20.3 |
| Conservative | Frederick Hart | 112 | 24.1 | -20.3 |
Majority | 241 | 51.8 | |
Turnout | | 25.3 | |
| Liberal Democrats hold | Swing | | |
Northleach Ward
Northleach Ward Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Liberal Democrats | Tony Dale | 557 | 62.2 | +27.1 |
| Conservative | Jolyon Grey | 338 | 37.8 | -19.8 |
Majority | 219 | 24.4 | |
Turnout | | 41.2 | |
| Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative | Swing | | |
Sandywell Ward
Sandywell Ward Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Conservative | Robin Hughes* | 536 | 67.0 | -3.6 |
| Liberal Democrats | Harry Chalklin | 199 | 24.9 | -4.5 |
| Labour | Ian Pillinger | 65 | 8.1 | N/A |
Majority | 337 | 42.1 | |
Turnout | | 38.5 | |
| Conservative hold | Swing | | |
Siddington and Cerney Rural Ward
Siddington and Cerney Rural Ward Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Liberal Democrats | Mike Evemy | 565 | 71.4 | +22.9 |
| Conservative | Richard Davies | 226 | 28.6 | -22.9 |
Majority | 339 | 42.8 | |
Turnout | | 38.1 | |
| Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative | Swing | | |
South Cerney Village Ward
South Cerney Village Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Liberal Democrats | Juliet Layton* | 565 | 83.7 | +35.1 |
| Conservative | Margaret Saunders | 110 | 16.3 | -13.5 |
Majority | 455 | 67.4 | |
Turnout | | 33.0 | |
| Liberal Democrats hold | Swing | | |
St Michael's Ward
Cirencester St Michael's Ward Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Liberal Democrats | Joe Harris* | 554 | 73.0 | +22.9 |
| Conservative | Harry Coutts | 147 | 19.4 | -12.4 |
| Labour | Terence Pomroy | 58 | 7.6 | N/A |
Majority | 407 | 53.6 | |
Turnout | | 41.1 | |
| Liberal Democrats hold | Swing | | |
Stow Ward
Stow Ward Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Liberal Democrats | Dilys Neill* | 577 | 65.3 | +21.4 |
| Conservative | Tom Bradley | 307 | 34.7 | -21.4 |
Majority | 270 | 30.6 | |
Turnout | | 42.7 | |
| Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative | Swing | | |
Stratton Ward
Cirencester Stratton Ward Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Liberal Democrats | Patrick Coleman* | 497 | 57.1 | +5.2 |
| Independent | Phillip Coleman | 223 | 25.6 | N/A |
| Conservative | Malcolm Gilmore | 115 | 13.2 | -24.9 |
| Labour | Gunther Strait | 35 | 4.0 | N/A |
Majority | 274 | 31.5 | |
Turnout | | 42.8 | |
| Liberal Democrats hold | Swing | | |
Tetbury East and Rural Ward
Tetbury East and Rural Ward Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Independent | Nikki Ind | 603 | 73.5 | N/A |
| Conservative | Maggie Heaven* | 217 | 26.5 | -47.0 |
Majority | 386 | 47.0 | |
Turnout | | | |
| Independent gain from Conservative | Swing | | |
Tetbury Town Ward
Tetbury Town Ward Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Conservative | Stephen Hirst* | 232 | 40.3 | -6.8 |
| Independent | Kevin Painter | 231 | 40.2 | +15.5 |
| Liberal Democrats | Rebecca Halifax | 112 | 19.5 | +11.2 |
Majority | 1 | 0.1 | |
Turnout | | 33.6 | |
| Conservative hold | Swing | | |
Tetbury with Upton Ward
Tetbury with Upton Ward Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Conservative | Richard Norris | 334 | 48.0 | -13.5 |
| Independent | Georgina Osman | 223 | 32.0 | N/A |
| Labour | Jon Easterbrook | 76 | 10.9 | -9.0 |
| Liberal Democrats | Nigel Bass | 63 | 9.1 | -9.5 |
Majority | 111 | 16.0 | |
Turnout | | 42.0 | |
| Conservative hold | Swing | | |
The Ampneys and Hampton Ward
The Ampneys and Hampton Ward Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Liberal Democrats | Lisa Spivey | 727 | 58.5 | +21.5 |
| Conservative | David Fowles* | 516 | 41.5 | -21.5 |
Majority | 211 | 17.0 | |
Turnout | | 57.0 | |
| Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative | Swing | | |
The Beeches Ward
Cirencester Beeches Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Liberal Democrats | Nigel Robbins* | 526 | 79.6 | +40.1 |
| Conservative | Robin McCorkell | 135 | 20.4 | -15.1 |
Majority | 391 | 59.2 | |
Turnout | | 30.1 | |
| Liberal Democrats hold | Swing | | |
The Rissingtons Ward
The Rissingtons Ward Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Green | Andrew Maclean | 375 | 52.6 | +31.9 |
| Conservative | Mark Mackenzie-Charrington* | 338 | 47.4 | -19.0 |
Majority | 37 | 5.2 | |
Turnout | | 36.8 | |
| Green gain from Conservative | Swing | | |
Watermoor Ward
Cirencester Watermoor Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Liberal Democrats | Gary Selwyn | 406 | 57.8 | +9.1 |
| Independent | Jenny Hincks* | 89 | 12.7 | -36.0 |
| Conservative | Christopher Daniels | 82 | 11.7 | -21.3 |
| Labour | Will Downes-Hall | 69 | 9.8 | N/A |
| UKIP | Pete Elliot | 57 | 8.1 | -10.1 |
Majority | 317 | 45.1 | |
Turnout | | 33.9 | |
| Liberal Democrats hold | Swing | | |
By-elections
Fosseridge
Fosseridge, 6 May 2021 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Conservative | David Cunningham | 641 | 63.7 | -5.0 |
| Liberal Democrats | Dominique Simpson | 251 | 25.0 | -6.3 |
| Green | Clare Turner | 114 | 11.3 | N/A |
Majority | 390 | 38.7 | |
Turnout | 1,009 | 47.09 | |
| Conservative hold | Swing | | |
Campden and Vale
Campden and Vale, 3 February 2022 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Conservative | Tom Stowe | 1,180 | 56.2 | +10.2 |
| Liberal Democrats | Danny Loveridge | 920 | 43.8 | +14.9 |
Majority | 260 | 12.4 | |
Turnout | 2,100 | 42.35 | |
| Conservative hold | Swing | | |
References
- ^ Private Eye, Issue 1496, p.15
- ^ Boobyer, Leigh (3 May 2019). "Ballot paper with 'Brexit' and an arrow written across it accepted as deciding vote in controversial Cotswolds local election". Gloucestershire Live. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
- ^ Cotswold District Council (20 July 2023). "DECLARATION OF RESULT OF POLL Election of a District Councillor for Fairford North on Thursday 9 February 2017" (PDF). cotswold.gov.uk. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 July 2023. Retrieved 20 July 2023.