Coventry City Council election, 2012
Elections for Coventry City Council were held on Thursday, 3 May 2012, the same day as other 2012 local elections in the United Kingdom. As the council is elected by thirds, one seat in each of the city's 18 wards was up for election. The Labour Party won the seat in 15 of the wards, gaining a total of 8 and increasing their majority to 32 seats.[1] The Conservative Party won the remaining three seats, losing six, with the Liberal Democrats and the Socialist Party both losing their only seat on the council.[2]
The election coincided with a local referendum on whether to have an elected mayor.[3]
Campaign
The Conservative party focused their efforts on retaining their existing seats, campaigning on issues like the closure of Sure Start centres, disruption caused by rebuilding the city centre, and an alternative budget proposal.[4] Labour focused on their aim of protecting frontline services, rebuilding the city centre for the Olympics (Coventry hosted several football events), and fixing potholes. Liberal Democrat councillor Russell Field focused on his record in working for his ward. The Socialists supported an independent candidate in Foleshill who is campaigning against the planned closure of a local sports centre. They focused on "stiffening the resistance to coalition cuts to this city" and accused Labour of signing up to coalition austerity plans. The Greens focused on alternative plans for the city, including an insulation scheme for homes and instituting a Living Wage for council employees. UKIP was focussing on local issues.[4]
Results
Voter turnout was 26%.[5]
Coventry City Council Election, 2012 |
Party |
Seats |
Gains |
Losses |
Net gain/loss |
Seats % |
Votes % |
Votes |
+/− |
|
Labour |
15 |
8 |
0 |
+8 |
83% |
53.72% |
32,414 |
-0.88% |
|
Conservative |
3 |
0 |
6 |
-6 |
17% |
26.36% |
16,755 |
-0.14% |
|
Socialist Alternative |
0 |
0 |
1 |
-1 |
0 |
5.35% |
3401 |
+1.66% |
|
Green |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
5.05% |
3212 |
+0.11% |
|
Liberal Democrat |
0 |
0 |
1 |
-1 |
0 |
3.91% |
2486 |
-1.27% |
|
BNP |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2.70% |
1718 |
-0.95% |
|
UKIP |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2.29% |
1457 |
+1.44% |
|
Independent |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1.71% |
1085 |
+1.13% |
|
Christian Movement for Great Britain |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0.80% |
511 |
N/A |
|
TOTAL |
18 |
8 |
8 |
0 |
|
100% |
63,572 |
|
Council composition
The composition of the council before and after the election can be found in the following table:
Party |
Previous council |
Staying councillors |
Seats up for election |
Election result |
New council |
|
Labour |
35 |
28 |
7 |
15 |
43 |
|
Conservatives |
17 |
8 |
9 |
3 |
11 |
|
Socialist Alternative |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Green |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Liberal Democrats |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
British National Party |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
UKIP |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Christian Movement for Great Britain |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Independent |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Total |
54 |
36 |
18 |
18 |
54 |
Results by ward
Note: For all wards, the percentage change is calculated from the council local election in 2011 (the last time the ward was contested), whilst the gains, losses, and holds are calculated from 2008 (the last time these particular seats were contested).
Note for Bablake ward: Independent candidate John Gazey was the sitting councillor for the Conservative party. After being deselected he decided to run as an independent.[7]
Binley and Willenhall Ward[8]
Party |
Candidate |
Votes |
% |
± |
|
Labour |
Dave Chater |
1898 |
58.29% |
-0.07% |
|
Conservative |
Linda Ann Reece |
570 |
17.51% |
-5.73% |
|
UKIP |
Colin Aldous Stubbs |
503 |
15.45% |
+7.57% |
|
BNP |
David Clarke |
100 |
3.07% |
-1.89% |
|
Green |
Justin Wood |
95 |
2.92% |
-0.03% |
|
Socialist Alternative |
Ross Armstrong |
67 |
2.06% |
+0.17% |
Majority |
1328 |
40.79% |
-5.67% |
Turnout |
3256 |
25.43% |
-7.73% |
|
Labour hold |
Swing |
|
|
Earlsdon Ward[10]
Party |
Candidate |
Votes |
% |
± |
|
Conservative |
Allan Robert Andrews |
2137 |
46.29% |
+3.21% |
|
Labour |
Bilal Akhtar |
1442 |
31.23% |
-9.96% |
|
Green |
Scott Gordon Redding |
327 |
7.08% |
+1.39% |
|
UKIP |
James Michael Bowes |
272 |
5.89% |
N/A |
|
Liberal Democrat |
Derek Stephen Benefield |
261 |
5.65% |
-2.13% |
|
Socialist Alternative |
Fiona Pashazadeh |
116 |
2.51% |
+0.25% |
|
Christian Movement for Great Britain |
William Sidhu |
43 |
0.93% |
N/A |
Majority |
695 |
15.05% |
+13.16% |
Turnout |
4617 |
37.03% |
-11.73% |
|
Conservative hold |
Swing |
|
|
Foleshill Ward[11]
Party |
Candidate |
Votes |
% |
± |
|
Labour |
Malkiat Singh Auluck |
2112 |
57.33% |
-9.57% |
|
Conservative |
Shabbir Ahmed |
1114 |
30.24% |
+6.62% |
|
Independent |
William Bromwich |
213 |
5.78% |
N/A |
|
Green |
Rana Sumra |
80 |
2.17% |
-0.62% |
|
Christian Movement for Great Britain |
Ron Lebar |
71 |
1.93% |
N/A |
|
BNP |
Hunter Helmsley |
61 |
1.66% |
-0.97% |
Majority |
998 |
27.09% |
|
Turnout |
3684 |
29.70% |
-9.65% |
|
Labour hold |
Swing |
|
|
Longford Ward[14]
Party |
Candidate |
Votes |
% |
± |
|
Labour |
George Duggins |
2409 |
72.30% |
-0.23% |
|
Christian Movement for Great Britain |
Raj Kumar |
362 |
10.86% |
N/A |
|
BNP |
Frankie Bates |
203 |
6.09% |
+0.05% |
|
Green |
Paul Andrew |
163 |
4.89% |
+0.95% |
|
Socialist Alternative |
Craig Davenport |
111 |
3.33% |
+0.92% |
|
Conservative |
Dial Masih |
58 |
1.74% |
-12.64% |
Majority |
2047 |
61.43% |
|
Turnout |
3332 |
24.68 |
-6.72% |
|
Labour hold |
Swing |
|
|
References
- ↑ "Labour gain in Coventry and Nuneaton and Bedworth". BBC News. 4 May 2012. Retrieved 24 October 2013.
- ↑ "Coventry votes no to an elected Mayor". Coventry City Council. 4 May 2012. Retrieved 4 May 2012.
- ↑ "Referendum in May 2012 to vote on Coventry elected mayor". Coventry Telegraph. Retrieved 2011-11-22.
- 1 2 Reid, Les (27 April 2012). "Battle on for seats in Coventry and Warwickshire council elections". Coventry Telegraph. Retrieved 24 October 2013.
- ↑ Carpenter, Steve (4 May 2012). "Labour in control at Coventry City Council elections". Coventry Observer. Retrieved 24 October 2013.
- ↑ Coventry City Council (4 May 2012). "Coventry City Council (local) election results - May 3, 2012". Retrieved 4 May 2012.
- ↑ Bigot, Martin (21 March 2012). "John Gazey set to take on Coventry's Tory party at May elections". Coventry Telegraph. Retrieved 21 March 2012.
- ↑ Coventry City Council (4 May 2012). "Coventry City Council (local) election results - May 3, 2012". Retrieved 4 May 2012.
- ↑ Coventry City Council (4 May 2012). "Coventry City Council (local) election results - May 3, 2012". Retrieved 4 May 2012.
- ↑ Coventry City Council (4 May 2012). "Coventry City Council (local) election results - May 3, 2012". Retrieved 4 May 2012.
- ↑ Coventry City Council (4 May 2012). "Coventry City Council (local) election results - May 3, 2012". Retrieved 4 May 2012.
- ↑ Coventry City Council (4 May 2012). "Coventry City Council (local) election results - May 3, 2012". Retrieved 4 May 2012.
- ↑ Coventry City Council (4 May 2012). "Coventry City Council (local) election results - May 3, 2012". Retrieved 4 May 2012.
- ↑ Coventry City Council (4 May 2012). "Coventry City Council (local) election results - May 3, 2012". Retrieved 4 May 2012.
- ↑ Coventry City Council (4 May 2012). "Coventry City Council (local) election results - May 3, 2012". Retrieved 4 May 2012.
- ↑ Coventry City Council (4 May 2012). "Coventry City Council (local) election results - May 3, 2012". Retrieved 4 May 2012.
- ↑ Coventry City Council (4 May 2012). "Coventry City Council (local) election results - May 3, 2012". Retrieved 4 May 2012.
- ↑ Coventry City Council (4 May 2012). "Coventry City Council (local) election results - May 3, 2012". Retrieved 4 May 2012.
- ↑ Coventry City Council (4 May 2012). "Coventry City Council (local) election results - May 3, 2012". Retrieved 4 May 2012.
- ↑ Coventry City Council (4 May 2012). "Coventry City Council (local) election results - May 3, 2012". Retrieved 4 May 2012.
- ↑ Coventry City Council (4 May 2012). "Coventry City Council (local) election results - May 3, 2012". Retrieved 4 May 2012.
- ↑ Coventry City Council (4 May 2012). "Coventry City Council (local) election results - May 3, 2012". Retrieved 4 May 2012.
- ↑ Coventry City Council (4 May 2012). "Coventry City Council (local) election results - May 3, 2012". Retrieved 4 May 2012.
- ↑ Coventry City Council (4 May 2012). "Coventry City Council (local) election results - May 3, 2012". Retrieved 4 May 2012.