2003 Rother District Council election
The 2003 Rother District Council election took place on 1 May 2003 to elect members of Rother District Council in East Sussex, England. The whole council was up for election after boundary changes reduced the number of seats by 7.[1] The Conservative party stayed in overall control of the council.[2]
![](../I/Rother_UK_local_election_2003_map.svg.png.webp)
Background
Originally a total of 81 candidates stood for the 37 seats that were to be elected after the boundary changes, comprising 37 Conservatives, 32 Liberal Democrats, 12 Labour and 3 independents.[3] However the death of a Liberal Democrat candidate for Rother Levels meant the election in that ward was delayed until 12 June and so 75 candidates stood for the 35 seats that were contested on 1 May.[3]
Both the Conservative leader of the council, Peter Jones, and the leader of the Liberal Democrat group on the council, Stephen Hardy, stood down from the council at the election.[3]
Election result
The Conservatives continued to hold a strong majority on the council winning 13 of the 18 seats in Bexhill, compared to 2 each for the Liberal Democrat and Labour parties, and 1 independent.[4] In the remaining rural areas of the council that were elected on 1 May, 9 Conservatives, 6 Liberal Democrats, 1 Labour and 1 independent councillors were elected.[4]
The delayed election in Rother Levels on 12 June had the Conservatives win both seats.[5]
Party | Seats | Gains | Losses | Net gain/loss | Seats % | Votes % | Votes | +/− | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Conservative | 25 | -4 | 65.8 | 57.5 | 25,184 | ||||
Liberal Democrats | 8 | 0 | 21.1 | 30.2 | 13,205 | ||||
Labour | 3 | -1 | 7.9 | 8.0 | 3,497 | ||||
Independent | 2 | -2 | 5.3 | 4.3 | 1,883 |
The above totals include the delayed election in Rother Levels on 12 June 2003.
Ward results
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Liberal Democrats | Suzanne Williams | 668 | |||
Liberal Democrats | Robert White | 664 | |||
Conservative | Margaret Leicester | 599 | |||
Conservative | Anthony Mitchell | 560 | |||
Labour | John Gately | 182 | |||
Turnout | 2,673 | 37.3 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Conservative | Eveline Armstrong | 634 | |||
Conservative | Joyce Hughes | 608 | |||
Liberal Democrats | Neil Francis | 484 | |||
Liberal Democrats | Michael Doncaster | 451 | |||
Turnout | 2,177 | 32.0 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Conservative | Ronald Dyason | 1,071 | |||
Conservative | Christopher Starnes | 974 | |||
Liberal Democrats | Heather Morrey | 575 | |||
Turnout | 2,620 | 43.2 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Conservative | Brian Kentfield | 1,199 | |||
Conservative | Martin Horscroft | 1,180 | |||
Liberal Democrats | John Zipperlen | 162 | |||
Turnout | 2,541 | 41.7 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Liberal Democrats | James Wood | 499 | |||
Liberal Democrats | Eric Armstrong | 469 | |||
Conservative | Paul Lendon | 373 | |||
Labour | Nicholas Hollington | 195 | |||
Turnout | 1,536 | 32.3 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Conservative | Jean Hopkinson | 876 | |||
Conservative | Deidre Williams | 775 | |||
Liberal Democrats | Christopher Storer | 411 | |||
Turnout | 2,062 | 33.6 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Labour | Helen Bridger | 446 | |||
Labour | Keith Bridger | 418 | |||
Conservative | Robert Wheeler | 399 | |||
Conservative | Irena Massarella | 395 | |||
Liberal Democrats | Matthew Kemp | 205 | |||
Turnout | 1,863 | 28.7 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Conservative | Stuart Earl | 1,236 | |||
Conservative | Joanne Gadd | 1,106 | |||
Liberal Democrats | Stephen Callandine-Evans | 359 | |||
Turnout | 2,701 | 41.6 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Independent | Charles Clark | 631 | |||
Conservative | Peter Fairhurst | 393 | |||
Conservative | Martin Kenward | 373 | |||
Liberal Democrats | Martyn Forster | 346 | |||
Turnout | 1,743 | 30.6 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Conservative | Graham Gubby | 648 | |||
Conservative | William Clements | 631 | |||
Liberal Democrats | Hilary McCorry | 432 | |||
Liberal Democrats | Trevor Smith | 339 | |||
Labour | Dominic Coughlan | 235 | |||
Turnout | 2,285 | 38.8 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Conservative | Richard Carroll | 775 | |||
Conservative | Carl Maynard | 750 | |||
Liberal Democrats | Rowan Fookes | 647 | |||
Turnout | 2,172 | 38.0 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Liberal Democrats | John Kemp | 486 | 55.5 | ||
Conservative | Ian Tomisson | 315 | 36.0 | ||
Labour | Timothy MacPherson | 74 | 8.5 | ||
Majority | 171 | 19.5 | |||
Turnout | 875 | 43.4 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Conservative | David Vereker | 858 | |||
Independent | Wendy Miers | 756 | |||
Liberal Democrats | Trevor Seeman | 476 | |||
Turnout | 2,090 | 39.7 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Conservative | Keith Glazier | 733 | |||
Conservative | Charles Ramus | 707 | |||
Liberal Democrats | Sonia Holmes | 427 | |||
Liberal Democrats | Nicholas Cleveland-Stevens | 349 | |||
Labour | Paul Carey | 311 | |||
Labour | Keith Pike | 223 | |||
Turnout | 2,750 | 40.1 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Conservative | Matthew Wilson | 602 | 67.5 | ||
Liberal Democrats | Jeremy Field | 290 | 32.5 | ||
Majority | 312 | 35.0 | |||
Turnout | 892 | 46.6 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Conservative | Robin Patten | 935 | |||
Conservative | Roger Bird | 894 | |||
Independent | Hugh Gallagher | 496 | |||
Liberal Democrats | Joloyn Holden | 285 | |||
Labour | Paola Dorigato | 138 | |||
Labour | Shirley Wheeldon | 132 | |||
Turnout | 2,880 | 48.4 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Labour | Samuel Souster | 542 | |||
Liberal Democrats | Granville Bantick | 537 | |||
Conservative | David Russell | 474 | |||
Conservative | Anthony Arfwedson | 448 | |||
Labour | Geoffrey Lyus | 443 | |||
Turnout | 2,444 | 44.3 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Liberal Democrats | Susan Prochak | 894 | |||
Liberal Democrats | George Hearn | 828 | |||
Conservative | Mary Barnes | 495 | |||
Conservative | Geoffrey Goodsell | 485 | |||
Turnout | 2,702 | 42.7 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Conservative | Ian Jenkins | 663 | |||
Conservative | John Potter | 633 | |||
Liberal Democrats | Albert Barrass | 542 | |||
Liberal Democrats | Mary Varrall | 542 | |||
Turnout | 2,380 | 38.6 |
Rother Levels delayed election
The election in Rother Levels was delayed until 12 June 2003 after the death of a Liberal Democrat candidate Julian Emery.[3][5]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Conservative | Martin Mooney | 702 | |||
Conservative | Ronald Parren | 685 | |||
Liberal Democrats | Jennifer Als | 466 | |||
Liberal Democrats | Alan Coote | 372 | |||
Labour | Linda Whymark | 93 | |||
Labour | Jean Parks | 65 | |||
Turnout | 2,383 | 34.5 |
By-elections between 2003 and 2007
Bexhill Sackville September 2004
A by-election took place in Bexhill Sackville on 9 September 2004 after the resignation of Conservative councillor Jean Hopkinson when she moved to New Zealand.[8] The seat was held for the Conservatives by Graham Oliver with a majority of 184 votes over the Liberal Democrats.[9]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Conservative | Graham Oliver | 468 | 51.7 | -16.4 | |
Liberal Democrats | Neil Francis | 284 | 31.3 | -0.6 | |
UKIP | Dorothy Thomson | 154 | 17.0 | +17.0 | |
Majority | 184 | 20.3 | |||
Turnout | 906 | 25.1 | -8.5 | ||
Conservative hold | Swing |
Bexhill St Stephens
A by-election was held in Bexhill St Stephens on 29 September 2005 after the death of Conservative councillor William Clements.[11] The seat was held for the Conservatives by Paul Lendon by a majority of 111 votes over the Liberal Democrats.[11]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Conservative | Paul Lendon | 470 | 46.6 | -2.7 | |
Liberal Democrats | Molly Webb | 359 | 35.6 | +2.7 | |
Labour | Dominic Coughlan | 180 | 17.8 | -0.1 | |
Majority | 111 | 11.0 | |||
Turnout | 1,009 | 30.2 | -8.6 | ||
Conservative hold | Swing |
Ticehurst and Etchingham
A by-election was held in Ticehurst and Etchingham on 17 November 2005 after Conservative councillor John Potter moved away.[12] The seat was held for the Conservatives by Robert Elliston with a majority of 367 votes over the Liberal Democrats.[12]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Conservative | Robert Elliston | 696 | 67.9 | +12.9 | |
Liberal Democrats | Mary Varrall | 329 | 32.1 | -12.9 | |
Majority | 367 | 35.8 | |||
Turnout | 1,025 | 30.8 | -7.8 | ||
Conservative hold | Swing |
Bexhill Kewhurst
A by-election was held in Bexhill Kewhurst on 4 May 2006 after Conservative councillor Martin Horscroft resigned from the council.[13] The seat was held for the Conservatives by Martin Kenward with a majority of 616 votes over the Liberal Democrats.[13]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Conservative | Martin Kenward | 1,141 | 64.6 | -23.5 | |
Liberal Democrats | John Zipperlen | 525 | 29.7 | +17.8 | |
Labour | Abdulla Khan | 99 | 5.6 | +5.6 | |
Majority | 616 | 34.9 | |||
Turnout | 1,765 | 44 | +2 | ||
Conservative hold | Swing |
Bexhill Sackville May 2006
A by-election was held in Bexhill Sackville on 4 May 2006 after Conservative councillor Graham Oliver resigned from the council.[13] The seat was held for the Conservatives by Keith Standring with a majority of 89 votes over the Liberal Democrats.[13]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Conservative | Keith Standring | 655 | 48.3 | -3.4 | |
Liberal Democrats | Martyn Forster | 566 | 41.8 | +10.5 | |
Labour | Philipa Coughlan | 134 | 9.9 | +9.9 | |
Majority | 89 | 6.6 | -13.7 | ||
Turnout | 1,355 | 38 | +13 | ||
Conservative hold | Swing |
Bexhill St Marks
A by-election was held in Bexhill St Marks on 4 May 2006 after Conservative councillor Stuart Earl resigned from the council.[13] The seat was held for the Conservatives by Patrick Douart with a majority of 325 votes over the Liberal Democrats.[13]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Conservative | Patrick Douart | 863 | 51.4 | -26.1 | |
Liberal Democrats | Rachel Hills | 538 | 32.1 | +6.8 | |
UKIP | Tony Smith | 185 | 11.0 | +11.0 | |
Labour | Stephanie Webb | 92 | 5.5 | +5.5 | |
Majority | 325 | 19.4 | |||
Turnout | 1,678 | 45 | +3 | ||
Conservative hold | Swing |
References
- "Local elections". BBC News Online. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
- "Rother". The Guardian. NewsBank. 3 May 2003.
- Dore, Rowan (16 April 2003). "Rother Council". East Sussex County Publications. NewsBank.
- Dore, Rowan (2 May 2003). "Rother District Council: Con hold". East Sussex County Publications. NewsBank.
- "Election results". Rother District Council. Archived from the original on 8 June 2003. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
- "English councils - Non-metropolitan districts". The Times. NewsBank. 3 May 2003. p. 47.
- "Rother". Rother District Council. Political Science Resources. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
- "Voting confusion follows ward changes - Bexhill Observer". Bexhill-on-Sea Observer. 19 August 2004. Retrieved 15 July 2014.
- "Bexhill By-Elections 2004 - Result of Poll". Rother District Council. 9 September 2004. Archived from the original on 25 September 2004. Retrieved 15 July 2014.
- "Local Authority Byelection Results". Retrieved 15 July 2014.
- "Council Meeting". Rother District Council. 31 October 2005. Archived from the original on 15 July 2014. Retrieved 15 July 2014.
- "Tories celebrate by-election victory". Rye & Battle Observer. 24 November 2005. Retrieved 15 July 2014.
- "Tories sweep up in Rother by-elections". Bexhill-on-Sea Observer. 12 May 2006. Retrieved 15 July 2014.