2023 Runnymede Borough Council election
{{Short description|2023 English Local election}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Use British English|date=April 2023}}
{{Infobox election
| election_name = 2023 Runnymede Borough Council election
| country =
| type = parliamentary
| ongoing = no
| previous_election = 2022 Runnymede Borough Council election
| previous_year = 2022
| election_date = {{Start date|2023|05|04|df=y}}
| next_election = 2024 Runnymede Borough Council election
| next_year = 2024
| seats_for_election= 14 of the 41 seats in the Runnymede Borough Council
| majority_seats = 21
| turnout = 19,547 (32.7%)
| registered = 59,845
| party1 = Conservative Party (UK)
| image1 =
| leader1 = Tom Gracey
| leader_since1 = 2022
| leaders_seat1 = Woodham & Rowtown
| last_election1 = 6
| seats_before1 = 24
| seats1 = 5
| seats_after1 = 20
| seat_change1 = {{decrease}} 4
| popular_vote1 = 7,211
| percentage1 = 36.9%
| swing1 = {{decrease}} 1.0 pp
| party2 = Labour and Co-operative
| image2 =
| leader2 = Robert King
| leader_since2 = 2021
| leaders_seat2 = Egham Hythe
| last_election2 = 2
| seats_before2 = 3
| seats2 = 2
| seats_after2 = 4
| seat_change2 = {{increase}} 1
| popular_vote2 = 4,236
| percentage2 = 21.7%
| swing2 = {{increase}} 4.4 pp
| party3 = Liberal Democrats (UK)
| image3 =
| leader3 = Don Whyte
| leader_since3 = 2019
| leaders_seat3 = Longcross, Lyne and Chertsey South
| last_election3 = 1
| seats_before3 = 3
| seats3 = 2
| seats_after3 = 4
| seat_change3 = {{increase}} 1
| popular_vote3 = 3,751
| percentage3 = 19.2%
| swing3 = {{increase}} 0.6 pp
| party4 = Runnymede Independent Residents Group
| image4 =
| leader4 = Isabel Mullens
| leader_since4 = 2022
| leaders_seat4 = Egham Town
| last_election4 = 2
| seats_before4 = 6
| seats4 = 2
| seats_after4 = 6
| seat_change4 = {{steady}} 0
| popular_vote4 = 1,667
| percentage4 = 8.5%
| swing4 = {{steady}} 0.0 pp
| party5 = Green Party of England and Wales
| image5 =
| leader5 = Steve Ringham
| leader_since5 = 2022
| leaders_seat5 = Addlestone North
| last_election5 = 1
| seats_before5 = 1
| seats5 = 1
| seats_after5 = 2
| seat_change5 = {{increase}} 1
| popular_vote5 = 1,278
| percentage5 = 6.5%
| swing5 = {{increase}} 0.1 pp
| party6 = Independent politician
| image6 =
| leader6 = Malcolm Cressey
| leader_since6 = 2019
| leaders_seat6 = Ottershaw
| last_election6 = 1
| seats_before6 = 4
| seats6 = 2
| seats_after6 = 5
| seat_change6 = {{increase}} 1
| popular_vote6 = 1,237
| percentage6 = 6.3%
| swing6 = {{decrease}} 4.8 pp
| map_image = File:Runnymede Borough election 2023.png
| map_size =
| map_alt =
| map =
| map_caption = A map presenting the results of the election, by party of the councillor elected from each ward
| title = Leader
| posttitle = Leader after election
| before_election = Tom Gracey
| before_party = Conservative Party (UK)
| after_election = Tom Gracey
Conservative
| after_party = No overall control
}}
The 2023 Runnymede Borough Council election took place on 4 May 2023 to elect one-third of members of the Runnymede Borough Council in Surrey, England. This was on the same day as other local elections in England.{{cite news|url=https://www.runnymede.gov.uk/elections-2/elections-2023|title=Local election 2023|work=Runnymede Borough Council|date=22 April 2023|accessdate=22 April 2023}}
The Conservative Party lost control of the council for the second time since the first election in 1973, the first being a short period between 1996 and 1998 when it was also under no overall control. In the previous election in 2022, the Conservative Party retained control of the council, winning 6 out of 14 seats and holding their majority, albeit reduced to 7. Liberal Democrat, Labour Co-op Party and Green Party each made gains of one seat each, and one independent gained a seat also.{{cite news|url=https://democracy.runnymede.gov.uk/mgMemberIndex.aspx?bcr=1|title=Your Councillors|work=Runnymede Borough Council|date=22 April 2023|accessdate=22 April 2023}}
The Conservatives managed to form a minority administration after the election with informal support from the three independent councillors representing the Ottershaw ward.{{cite news |last1=Caulfield |first1=Chris |title=New Runnymede leader to take on council with no overall control |url=https://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/surrey-news/new-runnymede-leader-take-council-26939658 |access-date=14 January 2024 |work=Surrey Live |date=18 May 2023}}
These were the first elections to be held with a new requirement for voters to have photo ID to vote in person at a polling station.{{cite news|url=https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/voter/voter-id|title=Voter ID|work=The Electoral Commission|date=22 April 2023|accessdate=22 April 2023}}
Overall results
{{Election summary partial council net begin |title=Runnymede Borough Council election 2023}}
{{Election summary partial council net party|
|party = Conservative Party (UK)
|seats = 5
|net = {{decrease}} 4
|seats % = 35.7
|other seats = 15
|total seats = 20
|total seats % = 48.8
|votes = 7,211
|votes % = 36.9
|plus/minus = -1.0%
}}
{{Election summary partial council net party|
|party = Labour and Co-operative
|seats = 2
|net = {{increase}} 1
|seats % = 14.3
|other seats = 2
|total seats = 4
|total seats % = 9.8
|votes = 4,236
|votes % = 21.7
|plus/minus = +4.4%
}}
{{Election summary partial council net party|
|party = Liberal Democrats (UK)
|seats = 2
|net = {{increase}} 1
|seats % = 14.3
|other seats = 2
|total seats = 4
|total seats % = 9.8
|votes = 3,751
|votes % = 19.2
|plus/minus = +0.6%
}}
{{Election summary partial council net party|
|party = Runnymede Independent Residents Group
|seats = 2
|net = {{steady}} 0
|seats % = 14.3
|other seats = 4
|total seats = 6
|total seats % = 14.6
|votes = 1,667
|votes % = 8.5
|plus/minus = =0.0%
}}
{{Election summary partial council net party|
|party = Independent politician
|seats = 2
|net = {{increase}} 1
|seats % = 14.3
|other seats = 3
|total seats = 5
|total seats % = 12.2
|votes = 1,237
|votes % = 6.3
|plus/minus = -4.8%
}}
{{Election summary partial council net party|
|party = Green Party of England and Wales
|seats = 1
|net = {{increase}} 1
|seats % = 7.1
|other seats = 1
|total seats = 2
|total seats % = 4.9
|votes = 1,278
|votes % = 6.5
|plus/minus = +0.1%
}}
{{Election summary partial council net party|
|party = Liberal Party (UK, 1989)
|seats = 0
|net = New
|seats % = 0.0
|other seats = 0
|total seats = 0
|total seats % = 0.0
|votes = 81
|votes % = 0.4
|plus/minus = New
}}
{{Election summary partial council net party|
|party = Reform UK
|seats = 0
|net = New
|seats % = 0.0
|other seats = 0
|total seats = 0
|total seats % = 0.0
|votes = 71
|votes % = 0.4
|plus/minus = New
}}
{{Election summary partial council net party|
|party = Heritage Party (UK)
|seats = 0
|net = {{steady}} 0
|seats % = 0.0
|other seats = 0
|total seats = 0
|total seats % = 0.0
|votes = 15
|votes % = 0.1
|plus/minus = -0.2%
}}
{{Election box end}}
Ward results
The results for each ward were as follows:{{cite web|url=https://democracy.runnymede.gov.uk/mgElectionElectionAreaResults.aspx?EID=4&RPID=2166795|title=Election results by wards, 4 May 2023|work=Runnymede Borough Council|date=5 May 2023}}{{cite news |title=Live Surrey 2023 local election results and reaction as it happens |url=https://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/surrey-news/live-surrey-2023-local-election-26844651 |access-date=13 January 2024 |work=Surrey Live |date=5 May 2023}}
= Addlestone North =
{{Election box begin | title=Addlestone North}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link|
|party = Green Party of England and Wales
|candidate = Manu Singh
|votes = 545
|percentage = 39.7
|change = -0.9
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Conservative Party (UK)
|candidate = David Curran
|votes = 515
|percentage = 37.5
|change = +0.3
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Labour and Co-operative
|candidate = June Tilbury
|votes = 228
|percentage = 16.6
|change = +2.2
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Liberal Democrats (UK)
|candidate = Rudi Dikty-Daudiyan
|votes = 86
|percentage = 6.3
|change = -1.6
}}
{{Election box majority
|votes = 30
|percentage = 2.2
|change =
}}
{{Election box rejected
|votes = 7
}}
{{Election box turnout|
|votes = 1374
|percentage = 31.5
|change =
}}
{{Election box gain with party link
|winner = Green Party of England and Wales
|loser = Conservative Party (UK)
|swing = -0.6
}}
|}
= Addlestone South =
{{Election box begin | title=Addlestone South}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link|
|party=Conservative Party (UK)
|candidate=Peter Snow
|votes= 609
|percentage= 41.7
|change=-2.6
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party=Labour and Co-operative
|candidate=Elaine Percival
|votes= 529
|percentage= 36.3
|change=+11.7
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party=Liberal Democrats (UK)
|candidate=Ray Williamson
|votes= 178
|percentage= 12.2
|change=-6.0
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party=Green Party of England and Wales
|candidate=Brian Gardiner
|votes= 143
|percentage= 9.8
|change=-3.0
}}
{{Election box majority
|votes= 80
|percentage= 5.5
|change=
}}
{{Election box rejected
|votes = 14
}}
{{Election box turnout|
|votes= 1459
|percentage= 30.3
|change=
}}
{{Election box hold with party link
|winner = Conservative Party (UK)
|swing = -7.1
}}
|}
=Chertsey Riverside=
{{Election box begin | title=Chertsey Riverside}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link|
|party = Conservative Party (UK)
|candidate = Jaz Mavi
|votes = 565
|percentage = 41.9
|change = +2.7
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Labour and Co-operative
|candidate = Cai Parry
|votes = 519
|percentage = 38.5
|change = +11.0
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Liberal Democrats (UK)
|candidate = Annabel Jones
|votes = 158
|percentage = 11.7
|change = -10.4
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Green Party of England and Wales
|candidate = Elaine Brindley
|votes = 107
|percentage = 7.9
|change = -3.6
}}
{{Election box majority
|votes = 46
|percentage = 3.4
|change =
}}
{{Election box rejected
|votes = 5
}}
{{Election box turnout|
|votes = 1349
|percentage = 29.3
|change =
}}
{{Election box hold with party link
|winner = Conservative Party (UK)
|swing = -4.1
}}
|}
= Chertsey St. Ann's =
{{Election box begin | title=Chertsey St. Ann's}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link|
|party=Conservative Party (UK)
|candidate=Mark Nuti
|votes=647
|percentage=45.1
|change=+10.8
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party=Labour and Co-operative
|candidate=Ricky Milstead
|votes=524
|percentage=36.5
|change=+16.5
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party=Liberal Democrats (UK)
|candidate=Kevin Lee
|votes=167
|percentage=11.6
|change=-1.5
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party=Green Party of England and Wales
|candidate=Tim Hayes
|votes=96
|percentage=6.7
|change=New
}}
{{Election box majority
|votes=123
|percentage=8.6
|change=
}}
{{Election box rejected
|votes = 10
}}
{{Election box turnout|
|votes=1434
|percentage=30.1
|change=
}}
{{Election box hold with party link
|winner = Conservative Party (UK)
|swing = -2.9
}}
|}
=Egham Hythe=
{{Election box begin | title=Egham Hythe}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link|
|party = Labour and Co-operative
|candidate = Robert King
|votes = 749
|percentage = 49.8
|change = -8.0
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Conservative Party (UK)
|candidate = Mark Adams
|votes = 624
|percentage = 41.5
|change = -0.8
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Liberal Party (UK, 1989)
|candidate = Roberto Buono
|votes = 81
|percentage = 5.4
|change = New
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Independent politician
|candidate = John Olorenshaw
|votes = 49
|percentage = 3.3
|change = New
}}
{{Election box majority
|votes = 125
|percentage = 8.3
|change =
}}
{{Election box rejected
|votes = 2
}}
{{Election box turnout|
|votes = 1503
|percentage = 30.8
|change =
}}
{{Election box hold with party link
|winner = Labour and Co-operative
|swing = -3.6
}}
|}
=Egham Town=
{{Election box begin | title=Egham Town}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link|
|party=Runnymede Independent Residents Group
|candidate=Isabel Mullens
|votes=927
|percentage=64.6
|change=+9.2
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party=Labour Party (UK)
|candidate=Meera Saravanan
|votes=213
|percentage=14.9
|change=-0.1
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party=Conservative Party (UK)
|candidate=John Osborn
|votes=212
|percentage=14.8
|change=-3.9
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party=Liberal Democrats (UK)
|candidate=Ian Heath
|votes=82
|percentage=5.7
|change=+0.9
}}
{{Election box majority
|votes=714
|percentage=49.8
|change=
}}
{{Election box rejected
|votes = 7
}}
{{Election box turnout|
|votes=1434
|percentage=32.8
|change=
}}
{{Election box hold with party link
|winner = Runnymede Independent Residents Group
|swing = +4.7
}}
|}
=Englefield Green East=
{{Election box begin | title=Englefield Green East}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link|
|party = Independent politician
|candidate = Trevor Gates
|votes = 442
|percentage = 54.5
|change = +8.6
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Conservative Party (UK)
|candidate = Lewis Virgo
|votes = 188
|percentage = 23.2
|change = -3.9
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Labour and Co-operative
|candidate = Archie Langdon
|votes = 113
|percentage = 13.9
|change = -5.9
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Liberal Democrats (UK)
|candidate = Tom Jordan
|votes = 68
|percentage = 8.4
|change = +1.2
}}
{{Election box majority
|votes = 254
|percentage = 31.3
|change =
}}
{{Election box rejected
|votes = 1
}}
{{Election box turnout|
|votes = 811
|percentage = 33.2
|change =
}}
{{Election box gain with party link
|winner = Independent politician
|loser = Conservative Party (UK)
|swing = +6.3
}}
|}
=Englefield Green West=
{{Election box begin | title=Englefield Green West}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link|
|party = Labour Party (UK)
|candidate = Eliza Kettle
|votes = 613
|percentage = 53.9
|change = +17.1
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Conservative Party (UK)
|candidate = Tanya Solomon
|votes = 525
|percentage = 46.1
|change = +11.1
}}
{{Election box majority
|votes = 88
|percentage = 7.7
|change =
}}
{{Election box rejected
|votes = 6
}}
{{Election box turnout|
|votes = 1138
|percentage = 30.0
|change =
}}
{{Election box gain with party link
|winner = Labour Party (UK)
|loser = Conservative Party (UK)
|swing = +3.0
}}
|}
=Longcross, Lyne and Chertsey South=
{{Election box begin |title=Longcross, Lyne and Chertsey South}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link|
|party=Liberal Democrats (UK)
|candidate=Don Whyte
|votes=689
|percentage=73.2
|change=+4.4
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party=Conservative Party (UK)
|candidate=Tommy Traylen
|votes=252
|percentage=26.8
|change=-4.4
}}
{{Election box majority
|votes=437
|percentage=46.4
|change=
}}
{{Election box rejected
|votes = 3
}}
{{Election box turnout|
|votes=941
|percentage=33.6
|change=
}}
{{Election box hold with party link
|winner = Liberal Democrats (UK)
|swing = +4.4
}}
|}
=New Haw=
{{Election box begin |title=New Haw}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link|
|party=Liberal Democrats (UK)
|candidate=Mike Smith
|votes=1135
|percentage=64.7
|change=+17.2
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party=Conservative Party (UK)
|candidate=Jacqui Gracey
|votes=536
|percentage=30.6
|change=-17.5
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party=Green Party of England and Wales
|candidate=Martin Robson
|votes=68
|percentage=3.9
|change=New
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party=Heritage Party (UK)
|candidate=Gian Palermiti
|votes=15
|percentage=0.9
|change=-3.5
}}
{{Election box majority
|votes=599
|percentage=34.2
|change=
}}
{{Election box rejected
|votes = 8
}}
{{Election box turnout|
|votes=1754
|percentage=37.0
|change=
}}
{{Election box gain with party link
|winner = Liberal Democrats (UK)
|loser = Conservative Party (UK)
|swing = +17.4
}}
|}
=Ottershaw=
{{Election box begin | title=Ottershaw}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link|
|party = Independent politician
|candidate = Michael Cressey
|votes = 746
|percentage = 45.4
|change = -10.2
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Conservative Party (UK)
|candidate = Peter Edwards
|votes = 431
|percentage = 26.2
|change = +1.1
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Labour and Co-operative
|candidate = Joe Rourke
|votes = 215
|percentage = 13.1
|change = +1.9
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Liberal Democrats (UK)
|candidate = Kevin DeCruz
|votes = 133
|percentage = 8.1
|change = -0.1
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Green Party of England and Wales
|candidate = Peter Chiverton
|votes = 118
|percentage = 7.2
|change = New
}}
{{Election box majority
|votes = 315
|percentage = 19.2
|change =
}}
{{Election box rejected
|votes = 6
}}
{{Election box turnout|
|votes = 1643
|percentage = 34.1
|change =
}}
{{Election box hold with party link
|winner = Independent politician
|swing = -5.7
}}
|}
= Thorpe =
{{Election box begin | title=Thorpe}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link|
|party=Runnymede Independent Residents Group
|candidate=Elaine Gill
|votes=740
|percentage=53.5
|change=+0.4
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party=Conservative Party (UK)
|candidate=Jacqueline Sharp
|votes=395
|percentage=28.6
|change=+0.6
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party=Labour and Co-operative
|candidate=Benjamin Niblett
|votes=178
|percentage=12.9
|change=-1.1
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party=Liberal Democrats (UK)
|candidate=Cheryl Smith-Wright
|votes=70
|percentage=5.1
|change=+0.2
}}
{{Election box majority
|votes=345
|percentage=24.9
|change=
}}
{{Election box rejected
|votes = 7
}}
{{Election box turnout|
|votes=1383
|percentage=32.1
|change=
}}
{{Election box hold with party link
|winner = Runnymede Independent Residents Group
|swing = -0.1
}}
|}
= Virginia Water=
{{Election box begin | title=Virginia Water}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link|
|party=Conservative Party (UK)
|candidate=Chris Howorth
|votes=789
|percentage=47.5
|change=-9.2
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party=Liberal Democrats (UK)
|candidate=Karin Roswell
|votes=646
|percentage=38.9
|change=+2.9
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party=Labour and Co-operative
|candidate=Karen McKinlay-Gunn
|votes=107
|percentage=6.4
|change=-0.9
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party=Reform UK
|candidate=Mayuran Senthilnathan
|votes=71
|percentage=4.3
|change=New
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party=Green Party of England and Wales
|candidate=Maciej Pawlik
|votes=48
|percentage=2.9
|change=New
}}
{{Election box majority
|votes=143
|percentage=8.6
|change=
}}
{{Election box rejected
|votes = 4
}}
{{Election box turnout|
|votes=1661
|percentage=38.7
|change=
}}
{{Election box hold with party link
|winner = Conservative Party (UK)
|swing = -6.0
}}
|}
=Woodham and Rowtown=
{{Election box begin | title=Woodham and Rowtown}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link|
|party=Conservative Party (UK)
|candidate=Tom Gracey
|votes=923
|percentage=55.5
|change=+0.4
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party=Liberal Democrats (UK)
|candidate=Jennifer Coulon
|votes=339
|percentage=20.4
|change=-8.3
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party=Labour and Co-operative
|candidate=Michael Scott
|votes=248
|percentage=14.9
|change=New
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party=Green Party of England and Wales
|candidate=Vicky Flyn
|votes=153
|percentage=9.2
|change=-7.0
}}
{{Election box majority
|votes=584
|percentage=35.1
|change=
}}
{{Election box rejected
|votes = 7
}}
{{Election box turnout|
|votes=1663
|percentage=34.4
|change=
}}
{{Election box hold with party link
|winner = Conservative Party (UK)
|swing = +4.4
}}
|}
By-elections
=Addlestone South=
{{Election box begin | title=Addlestone South: 10 October 2024{{Cite web|url=https://democracy.runnymede.gov.uk/mgElectionAreaResults.aspx?ID=75&RPID=0 |title=Election results for Addlestone South, 10 October 2024 |access-date=4 January 2025 |publisher=Runnymede Borough Council}}}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link
|party = Conservative Party (UK)
|candidate = Steve Eldridge
|votes = 520
|percentage = 55.9
|change = +14.2
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
|party = Labour Party (UK)
|candidate = Elaine Percival
|votes = 262
|percentage = 28.2
|change = –8.1
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
|party = Liberal Democrats (UK)
|candidate = Jenny Coulon
|votes = 85
|percentage = 9.1
|change = –3.1
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
|party = Green Party of England and Wales
|candidate = Jess Ward
|votes = 63
|percentage = 6.8
|change = –3.0
}}
{{Election box majority
|votes = 258
|percentage = 27.7
|change = +22.2
}}
{{Election box turnout
|votes = 949
|percentage = 19.4
|change = –10.9
}}
{{Election box registered electors
|reg. electors = 4,899
}}
{{Election box hold with party link
|winner = Conservative Party (UK)
|loser =
|swing = {{increase}}11.2
}}
{{Election box end}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{2023 United Kingdom local elections}}
{{Surrey elections}}