Medway Council elections

Elections in Kent, England

Medway Council is the local authority for the unitary authority of Medway in Kent, England. It was created on 1 April 1998 replacing Gillingham and Rochester-upon-Medway.

## Political control

[edit]

The first election to the council was held in 1997, initially operating as a shadow authority until formally taking over from the two outgoing councils on 1 April 1998. Since 1997 political control of the council has been held by the following parties:[1][2]

Party in control | Years

|

| Labour | 1997–1998
| No overall control | 1998–2003
| Conservative | 2003–2023
| Labour | 2023–present

### Leadership

[edit]

The leaders of the council since 2000 have been:[3]

Councillor | Party | From | To

|
|
|

Rodney Chambers |  | Conservative | May 2000 | 27 May 2015
Alan Jarrett |  | Conservative | 27 May 2015 |
Vince Maple |  | Labour | 4 May 2023 |

## Council composition

[edit]

Composition of the council[1] Year  | Conservative | Labour | Liberal Democrats[a] | UKIP | Independents
& Others  | Council control
after election

|
|
|
|
|
|

|  |  |  |
Created from the merger of Rochester-upon-Medway and Gillingham (80 seats)
1997 | 20  | 39 | 21  | 0  | 0  |  | Labour
2000 | 38 | 25  | 15  | 0  | 2  |  | No overall control
New ward boundaries (55 seats)
2003 | 30 | 17  | 6  | 0  | 2  |  | Conservative
2007 | 33 | 13  | 8  | 0  | 0  |  | Conservative
2011 | 35 | 15  | 3  | 0  | 2  |  | Conservative
2015 | 36 | 15  | 0  | 4  | 0  |  | Conservative
2019 | 33 | 20  | 0  | 0  | 2  |  | Conservative
New ward boundaries (59 seats)
2023 | 22  | 33 | 0  | 0  | 4  |  | Labour
|  |  |  |  |

## Council elections

[edit]

* 1997 Medway Council election (New ward boundaries)[4]
* 2000 Medway Council election
* 2003 Medway Council election (New ward boundaries reduced the number of seats by 25)[5][6][7]
* 2007 Medway Council election
* 2011 Medway Council election
* 2015 Medway Council election
* 2019 Medway Council election
* 2023 Medway Council election (New ward boundaries increased the number of seats by 4)[8]

## Results maps

[edit]

* 2003 results map

* 2007 results map

* 2011 results map

* 2015 results map

* 2019 results map

* 2023 results map

## By-election results

[edit]

### 1998–2003

[edit]

Gillingham South By-Election 19 February 1998  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Liberal Democrats | Dayantha Liyanage | 656  | 54.3  | +6.7
| Labour | Pamela Holman  | 372  | 30.8  | +0.8
| Conservative | Roy Hunter  | 180  | 14.9  | −7.5
Majority | 284  | 23.5  |
Turnout | 1,208  | 27.0  |
| Liberal Democrats hold | Swing |  |

### 2007–2011

[edit]

Rochester South and Horsted By-Election 8 May 2008[9] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Trevor Clarke  | 1,847  | 48.7  | +7.2
| Labour | Adam Price  | 819  | 21.6  | −5.0
| Liberal Democrats | Viv Parker  | 767  | 20.2  | +3.6
| BNP | Brian Ravenscroft  | 257  | 6.8  | +6.8
| Green | Simon Marchant  | 104  | 2.7  | +2.7
Majority | 1,028  | 27.1  |
Turnout | 3,794  | 41.0  |
| Conservative hold | Swing |  |

This by-election was triggered by the resignation of Conservative Councillor John Ward

Luton & Wayfield By-Election 3 September 2009[10] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Tashi Bhutia  | 1,042  | 36.9  | +10.8
| Labour | Sam Whittington  | 1,038  | 36.7  | −12.3
| Liberal Democrats | Gary Allanach  | 223  | 7.9  | +7.9
| UKIP | Robin Johnson  | 200  | 7.1  | +7.1
| BNP | Brian Ravenscroft  | 186  | 6.6  | +6.6
| Independent | Brian Cartwright  | 87  | 3.1  | −21.9
| Green | Sarah D'Angelo  | 51  | 1.8  | +1.8
Majority | 4  | 0.2  |
Turnout | 2,827  | 29.8  |
| Conservative gain from Labour | Swing |  |

This by-election was triggered by the resignation of Labour Councillor Dennis McFarlane

River Ward By-Election 12 August 2010  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | David Craggs  | 617  | 45.8  |
| Labour | John Jones  | 544  | 40.4  |
| Liberal Democrats | Garry Harrison  | 104  | 7.7  |
| Green | Steven Keevil  | 45  | 3.3  |
| BNP | Brian Ravenscroft  | 39  | 2.8  |
| English Democrat | Ron Sands  | 33  | 2.4  |
Majority | 73  | 5.3  |
Turnout | 1,382  |  |
| Conservative gain from Labour | Swing |  |

This by-election was triggered by the resignation of Labour Councillor Bill Esterson

River Ward By-Election 21 October 2010  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Labour | John Jones  | 695  | 45.5  |
| Conservative | Andrew Mackness  | 631  | 41.3  |
| Liberal Democrats | Garry Harrison  | 92  | 6.0  |
| UKIP | Anthony Cook  | 42  | 2.8  |
| Green | Steven Keevil  | 36  | 2.4  |
| English Democrat | Ron Sands  | 31  | 2.0  |
Majority | 64  | 4.2  |
Turnout | 1527  | 25.7  |
| Labour gain from Conservative | Swing |  |

This by-election was triggered by the resignation of Conservative Councillor David Craggs

### 2011–2015

[edit]

Peninsula By-Election 20 November 2014[11] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| UKIP | Christopher Irvine  | 2,850  | 48.3  | +48.3
| Conservative | Ron Sands  | 1,965  | 33.3  | −20.9
| Labour | Pete Tungate  | 716  | 12.1  | −8.6
| Green | Clive Gregory  | 314  | 5.3  | −2.1
| Liberal Democrats | Christopher Sams  | 60  | 1.0  | −5.3
Majority | 885  | 15.0  |
Turnout | 5,905  |  |
| UKIP gain from Conservative | Swing |  |

### 2015–2019

[edit]

Strood South by-election 20 October 2016  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Josie Iles  | 724  | 38.4  | +3.4
| Labour | Isaac Igwe  | 521  | 27.7  | +3.4
| UKIP | Karl Weller  | 480  | 25.5  | −13.2
| Green | Steve Dyke  | 74  | 3.9  | N/A
| Liberal Democrats | Isabelle Cherry  | 62  | 3.3  | N/A
| English Democrat | Mike Russell  | 23  | 1.2  | N/A
Majority | 203  | 10.7  |
Turnout | 1,884  | 16.74  |
| Conservative gain from UKIP | Swing |  |

The by-election was triggered by the resignation of UKIP Councillor Catriona Brown-Reckless

Rainham Central by-election 3 November 2016  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Jan Aldous  | 1,448  | 61.1  |
| UKIP | Mark Mencattelli  | 389  | 16.4  |
| Labour | Simon Allen  | 320  | 13.5  |
| Liberal Democrats | Paul Chaplin  | 137  | 5.8  |
| Green | George Meegan | 61  | 2.6  |
| English Democrat | Mike Russell  | 14  | 0.6  |
Majority | 1,059  | 44.7  |
Turnout | 2,369  | 24.0  |
| Conservative hold | Swing |  |

The by-election was triggered by the death of Conservative Councillor Mike O'Brien

Rochester West by-election 8 March 2018  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Labour | Alex Paterson  | 1,212  | 47.5  | +26.5
| Conservative | Alan Kew  | 1007  | 39.5  | −4.0
| Liberal Democrats | Martin Rose  | 119  | 4.7  | +1.0
| Green | Sonia Hyner  | 107  | 4.2  | −6.1
| UKIP | Rob McCulloch Martin  | 104  | 4.1  | −16.2
Majority | 205  | 8.0  | −5.0
Turnout | 2,549  | 33  |
| Labour gain from Conservative | Swing |  |

The by-election was triggered by the resignation of Conservative Councillor Kelly Tolhurst

### 2019–2023

[edit]

Princes Park by-election 26 August 2021[12] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Robert George Benedict Lammas  | 961  | 67.1  | +19.1
| Labour | John Gower Strevens  | 313  | 21.9  | −5.6
| Green | Sonia Lesley Hyner  | 52  | 3.6  | N/A
| Independent | Matthew Bernard Durcan  | 51  | 3.6  | N/A
| Liberal Democrats | John Edward Castle  | 49  | 3.4  | N/A
Majority | 648  | 45.2  |
Turnout | 1,432  | 18.8  |
| Conservative hold | Swing |  |
Strood North by-election 26 August 2021[13] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Labour | Zöe Angela Van Dyke  | 913  | 37.0  | +6.4
| Conservative | Mark Paul Joy  | 728  | 29.5  | −2.5
| Green | Catriona Margaret Jamieson  | 565  | 10.5  | +1.0
| Independent | Christopher Stuart Spalding  | 216  | 8.8  | N/A
| Liberal Democrats | Alan Edward Wells  | 39  | 1.6  | N/A
Majority | 185  | 7.5  |
Turnout | 2,466  | 23.5  |
| Labour gain from Conservative | Swing |  |
Rochester East by-election 16 December 2021[14] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Labour | Lauren Edwards  | 870  | 63.3  | +15.2
| Conservative | Brian Griffin  | 388  | 28.2  | +8.6
| Green | Bernard Hyde  | 69  | 5.0  | −9.2
| Liberal Democrats | Sarah Manuel  | 48  | 3.5  | −2.8
Majority | 482  | 35.1  |
Turnout | 1,375  |  |
| Labour hold | Swing |  |
Peninsula by-election 8 December 2022[15] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Independent | George Crozer  | 1,038  | 46.6  | +46.6
| Conservative | Harold Ogunfemi  | 371  | 16.7  | −9.2
| Green | Julian Sutton  | 255  | 11.5  | +1.5
| Independent | Chris Spalding  | 230  | 10.3  | +10.3
| Labour | David Hodges  | 215  | 9.7  | −0.4
| Independent | Sharon Jackson  | 89  | 4.0  | +4.0
| Liberal Democrats | Ben Rist  | 29  | 1.3  | +1.3
Majority | 667  | 30.0  |
Turnout | 2,227  |  |
| Independent hold | Swing |  |

### 2023–2027

[edit]

Gillingham South by-election 6 February 2025[16] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Labour | Liubov Nestorova  | 706  | 37.4  | −19.9
| Reform UK | Rizvi Rawoof  | 506  | 26.8  | +26.8
| Conservative | Saboor Ahmed  | 330  | 17.5  | −0.5
| Green | Trish Marchant  | 167  | 8.8  | −4.4
| Liberal Democrats | Onyx Rist  | 99  | 5.2  | −6.2
| SDP | Peter Wheeler  | 69  | 3.7  | +3.7
| Heritage | Roshan Bhunnoo  | 12  | 0.6  | +0.6
Majority | 200  | 10.6  |
Turnout | 1,889  |  |
| Labour hold | Swing |  |
Rochester East and Warren Wood by-election 6 February 2025[16] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Reform UK | David Finch  | 870  |  |
| Reform UK | John Vye  | 802  |  |
| Labour | Carolyn Hart  | 781  |  |
| Labour | Robert Wyatt  | 717  |  |
| Conservative | George Clarke  | 479  |  |
| Conservative | Tolga Sirlan  | 432  |  |
| Green | Doug Bray  | 141  |  |
| Green | Jeremy Spyby-Steanson  | 109  |  |
| Liberal Democrats | Anita Holloway  | 81  |  |
| Liberal Democrats | Sarah Manuel  | 80  |  |
| Heritage | Peter Burch  | 21  |  |
Majority |  |  |
Turnout | 2,317  | 24.4%  |
| Reform UK gain from Labour | Swing |  |
| Reform UK gain from Labour | Swing |  |

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ Includes totals for the predecessors of the Liberal Democrats, the Liberal Party and SDP (both of which participated in the Alliance).

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b "Composition calculator". Colin Rallings & Michael Thrasher. The Elections Centre, Plymouth University. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
2. ^ "Medway". BBC News. Retrieved 22 September 2009.
3. ^ "Council minutes". Medway Council. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
4. ^ legislation.gov.uk – The District of the Medway Towns (Parishes and Electoral Changes) Order 1997. Retrieved on 4 October 2015.
5. ^ legislation.gov.uk – The Borough of Medway (Electoral Changes) Order 2002. Retrieved on 4 October 2015.
6. ^ "Medway". BBC Online. Retrieved 9 May 2008.
7. ^ "Your council". Medway Council. Archived from the original on 13 March 2008. Retrieved 9 May 2008.
8. ^ "The Medway (Electoral Changes) Order 2021". legislation.gov.uk. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
9. ^ "Rochester South and Horsted by-election result". Medway Council. 9 May 2008. Retrieved 22 September 2009. [dead link]
10. ^ "Luton and Wayfield ward by-election". Medway Council. Archived from the original on 20 November 2008. Retrieved 22 September 2009.
11. ^ "Local Elections Archive Project – Peninsula Ward". andrewteale.me.uk.
12. ^ "Princes Park ward results". medway.gov.uk. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
13. ^ "Strood North ward results". medway.gov.uk. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
14. ^ "Local Elections Archive Project – Rochester East Ward". andrewteale.me.uk.
15. ^ "Local Elections Archive Project – Peninsula Ward". andrewteale.me.uk.
16. ^ a b "Gillingham South and Rochester East & Warren Woods wards by-election results". www.medway.gov.uk. Retrieved 7 February 2025.

## External links

[edit]

* Medway Council
* By-election results

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Council elections in Kent

Kent County Council|

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Dover District Council|

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Folkestone & Hythe District Council|

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Gravesham Borough Council|

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Maidstone Borough Council|

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Medway Council|

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Sevenoaks District Council|

* 1973
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Swale Borough Council|

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Thanet District Council|

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Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council|

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Tunbridge Wells Borough Council|

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Rochester-upon-Medway City Council|

* 1973
* 1976
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* 1987
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* Abolished

Gillingham Borough Council|

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* See also: Wards
* Boundary changes

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Unitary authorities of England

Areas|

* Bath and North East Somerset
* Bedford
* Blackburn with Darwen
* Blackpool
* Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
* Bracknell Forest
* Brighton and Hove
* Bristol
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* South Gloucestershire
* Stockton-on-Tees
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* Swindon
* Telford and Wrekin
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* Torbay
* Warrington
* West Berkshire
* Westmorland and Furness
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* Wiltshire
* Windsor and Maidenhead
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Councils|

* Bath and North East Somerset
* Bedford
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* Bracknell Forest
* Brighton and Hove
* Bristol
* Buckinghamshire
* Central Bedfordshire
* Cheshire East
* Cheshire West and Chester
* Cornwall
* County Durham
* Cumberland
* Darlington
* Derby
* Dorset
* East Riding of Yorkshire
* Halton
* Hartlepool
* Herefordshire
* Isle of Wight
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* North Somerset
* North Yorkshire
* Northumberland
* Nottingham
* Peterborough
* Plymouth
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* Reading
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* Rutland
* Shropshire
* Slough
* Somerset
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* Warrington
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* Wiltshire
* Windsor and Maidenhead
* Wokingham
* York

Elections|

* Bath and North East Somerset
* Bedford
* Blackburn with Darwen
* Blackpool
* Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
* Bracknell Forest
* Brighton and Hove
* Bristol
* Buckinghamshire
* Central Bedfordshire
* Cheshire East
* Cheshire West and Chester
* Cornwall
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* Cumberland
* Darlington
* Derby
* Dorset
* East Riding of Yorkshire
* Halton
* Hartlepool
* Herefordshire
* Isle of Wight
* Isles of Scilly
* Kingston upon Hull
* Leicester
* Luton
* Medway
* Middlesbrough
* Milton Keynes
* North East Lincolnshire
* North Lincolnshire
* North Northamptonshire
* North Somerset
* North Yorkshire
* Northumberland
* Nottingham
* Peterborough
* Plymouth
* Portsmouth
* Reading
* Redcar and Cleveland
* Rutland
* Shropshire
* Slough
* Somerset
* Southampton
* Southend-on-Sea
* South Gloucestershire
* Stockton-on-Tees
* Stoke-on-Trent
* Swindon
* Telford and Wrekin
* Thurrock
* Torbay
* Warrington
* West Berkshire
* Westmorland and Furness
* West Northamptonshire
* Wiltshire
* Windsor and Maidenhead
* Wokingham
* York

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