Local government elections in Cumbria, England
Copeland Borough Council in Cumbria , England was elected every four years.
The council was established in 1974 and abolished in 2023.
The first election to the council was held in 1973, initially operating as a shadow authority alongside the outgoing authorities until the new arrangements came into effect on 1 April 1974. Political control of the council from 1974 until its abolition in 2023 was as follows:[ 1] [ 2]
Prior to 2015, political leadership was provided by the leader of the council . The leader from 2003 to 2015 was:
Councillor
Party
From
To
Elaine Woodburn[ 3]
Labour
2003
10 May 2015
In 2015 the council changed to having a directly-elected mayor . The mayor from 2015 until the council's abolition in 2023 was Mike Starkie , who was elected in 2015 and 2019 as an independent , but subsequently joined the Conservatives in June 2020.[ a]
Borough result maps [ edit ]
2003 results map
2007 results map
2011 results map
2015 results map
2019 results map
By-election results [ edit ]
^ Mayoral terms of office ran from the fourth day after polling day.[ 4]
^ "Compositions Calculator" . The Elections Centre . University of Exeter. Retrieved 21 May 2025 . (Put "Copeland" in search box to see specific results.)
^ "England council elections" . BBC News Online . Retrieved 23 July 2011 .
^ "Council leader history" . What do they know? . 4 August 2020. Retrieved 15 June 2022 .
^ "The Local Authorities (Elected Mayors) (Elections, Terms of Office and Casual Vacancies) (England) Regulations 2001: Regulation 6" , legislation.gov.uk , The National Archives , SI 2001/2544 (reg. 6)
^ "Mike Starkie elected as Copeland Mayor" . ITV News . 8 May 2015. Retrieved 31 July 2025 .
^ "Copeland mayor Mike Starkie joins Conservatives" . ITV News . 22 June 2020. Retrieved 15 June 2022 .
^ Johnston, Luke (31 March 2023). "End of an era - Mayor announces retirement" . Visit Whitehaven . Retrieved 31 July 2025 .
^ The Borough of Copeland (Electoral Arrangements) Order 1978
^ "Copeland" . BBC News Online . Retrieved 23 July 2011 .
^ legislation.gov.uk - The Borough of Copeland (Electoral Changes) Order 1998 . Retrieved on 4 October 2015.
^ "The Copeland (Electoral Changes) Order 2018" , legislation.gov.uk , The National Archives , SI 2018/1316, retrieved 23 February 2024
^ "Tories make gains in byelections" . guardian.co.uk . 18 June 2004. Retrieved 23 July 2011 .
^ Thompson, Andrea (12 June 2004). "Anne wins council seat for Labour" . News and Star . Archived from the original on 21 April 2013. Retrieved 29 November 2011 .
^ a b c "Lib Dems and Labour make byelection gains" . guardian.co.uk . 7 April 2006. Retrieved 23 July 2011 .
^ a b c "Labour take two seats in Copeland elections" . Eskdale & Liddesdale Advertiser . 7 April 2006. Archived from the original on 9 October 2011. Retrieved 23 July 2011 .
^ "Local Elections Archive Project — Whitehaven Central Ward" . www.andrewteale.me.uk . Retrieved 6 October 2022 .