Reply To: Our 2023 local election activity
Kent & Sussex branch communicate:
Just a quick summary of the results today, where we stood in two wards in Folkestone (in two council elections), both wards are the same electors but councillor numbers vary.
We have seen some decreases and some advances in votes cast, but there are several factors which will have influenced the absolute vote numbers.
Folkestone Central
This is only the second time we have stood in this seat individually (rather than as part of County and Parliamentary seats).
District Council ward: 81 votes (first time contested)
Town Council ward: 121 votes (last contested 2021, 61 votes in by-election)
Folkestone Harbour
This seat has been contested many times, individually and as part of County and Parliamentary seats.
District Council ward: 45 votes (last contested 2019, 59 votes)
Town Council ward: 61 votes (last contested 2019,131 votes)
Maybe interesting to note that the Tories have been ousted as largest Party from Folkestone and Hythe District Council, reduced to a rump of five out of 30 councillors (UKIP and a Tory split group no longer have seats).
Gains made by Greens and Labour, leaving no overall control.
New Council:
Green 11
Labour 10
Cons. 5
Lib Dem 2
Ind 2