# City of York Council elections
## History

City of York Council is the unitary authority for the City of York, Yorkshire. It is responsible for all local government services within the City of York, except for services provided by York's town and parish councils.

## Non-metropolitan district elections

* 1973 York City Council election
* 1976 York City Council election
* 1979 York City Council election (New ward boundaries)
* 1980 York City Council election
* 1982 York City Council election
* 1983 York City Council election
* 1984 York City Council election
* 1986 York City Council election
* 1987 York City Council election
* 1988 York City Council election
* 1990 York City Council election
* 1991 York City Council election

### 1992–1994

A local election was held in May 1992 to elect members of York City Council. Fifteen seats, previously contested in 1988, were up for election: eleven were won by the Labour Party, three by the Conservative Party and one by the Liberal Democrats. The Labour Party retained overall control of the council; the composition of the council after the election was: Labour Party 34 seats, Conservative Party seven seats and Liberal Democrats four seats.

#### Local election

York local election results 1992 :
| Party | Seats | Gains | Losses | Net gain/loss | Seats % | Votes % | Votes | +/− |
| Labour | 11 | 0 | 1 | 1 | - | 45.1 | - | - |
| Conservative | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | - | 38.1 | - | - |
| Liberal Democrats | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | 13.3 | - | - |
| Green | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | 3.5 | - | - |

### 1994–1995
#### Local election

A local election took place in May 1994 to elect members of York City Council. Fifteen seats, previously contested in 1990, were up for election: twelve were won by the Labour Party, two by the Liberal Democrats and one by the Conservative Party.
York local election results 1991 :
| Party | Seats | Gains | Losses | Net gain/loss | Seats % | Votes % | Votes | +/− |
| Labour | 12 | 0 | 1 | 1 | - | 53.2 | - | - |
| Liberal Democrats | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | - | 21.6 | - | - |
| Conservative | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | 23.5 | - | - |
| Green | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | 1.7 | - | - |

## Unitary authority elections
### Summary of local election results

| Year | Labour | Liberal Democrats | Conservatives | Green | Independent |
| 1995 | 30 | 18 | 3 | 0 | 2 |
| 1999 | 27 | 22 | 3 | 0 | 1 |
| 2003 | 15 | 29 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| 2007 | 18 | 19 | 8 | 2 | 0 |
| 2011 | 26 | 8 | 10 | 2 | 1 |
| 2015 | 15 | 12 | 14 | 4 | 2 |
| 2019 | 17 | 21 | 2 | 4 | 3 |
| 2023 | 24 | 19 | 3 | 0 | 1 |

### 1995–1999
#### Local election

Elections to the new City of York unitary authority were held on 4 May 1995. Following the creation of the expanded authority, 22 councillors were returned to parished areas that were part of district council areas previously outside the boundaries of the former York City Council and 31 councillors were returned to the former York City Council wards. All 53 council seats were up for election. Labour won thirty seats, the Liberal Democrats won 18 seats, the Conservatives won three seats and two Independent councillors were also elected. The Labour Party won overall control of the council.
York local election result 1995 :
| Party | Seats | Seats % |
| Labour | 30 | 56.6 |
| Liberal Democrats | 18 | 34 |
| Conservative | 3 | 5.7 |
| Independent | 2 | 3.8 |

#### By-elections

Strensall and Stockton Ward By-Election 30 May 1996 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Liberal Democrats | Madeleine Kirk | 767 | 46.1 |
| | Conservative | | 580 | 34.9 |
| | Labour | | 317 | 19.1 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 187 | 11.2 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,664 | 33.2 |
| | Liberal Democrats hold | Liberal Democrats hold | Swing | |
Osbaldwick Ward By-Election 20 February 1997 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Liberal Democrats | | 661 | 55.5 |
| | Labour | | 347 | 29.1 |
| | Conservative | | 183 | 15.4 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 314 | 26.4 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,191 | 50.6 |
| | Liberal Democrats hold | Liberal Democrats hold | Swing | |
Micklegate Ward By-Election 30 October 1997 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | | 847 | 53.0 | +2.2 |
| | Conservative | | 529 | 32.1 | −6.1 |
| | Liberal Democrats | | 244 | 14.8 | +3.8 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 345 | 20.9 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,647 | 33.6 | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | | |

### 1999–2003
#### Local election

Elections to City of York Council were held on 6 May 1999. All 53 council seats in the city were up for election and the Labour party kept overall control of the council.
York local election result 1999 :
| Party | Seats | Gains | Losses | Net gain/loss | Seats % |
| Labour | 27 | 0 | 3 | -3 | 50.9 |
| Liberal Democrats | 22 | 4 | 0 | +4 | 41.5 |
| Conservative | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5.7 |
| Independent | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 1.9 |

#### By-elections

A by-election was held in Bootham Ward following the resignation through ill-health of sitting Labour councillor Ken Cooper. The seat was won by the Liberal Democrat candidate, Kim Tarry.
Bootham Ward By-Election 11 May 2000 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal Democrats | Kim Tarry | 813 | 47.6 | +25.1 |
| | Labour | Alexander Fraser | 635 | 37.2 | −23.8 |
| | Conservative | William Bennett | 184 | 10.8 | −5.8 |
| | Green | Andrea Black | 59 | 3.5 | +3.5 |
| | Monster Raving Loony | Graham Cambridge | 18 | 1.1 | +1.1 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 178 | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1710 | 35.3 | |
| | Liberal Democrats gain from Labour | Liberal Democrats gain from Labour | Swing | | |
Labour councillor Peter Dodd resigned his Monk Ward seat in 2000 due to ill health. The seat was won in the by-election by the Liberal Democrat candidate, Nick Blitz.
Monk Ward By-Election 18 May 2000 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal Democrats | Nick Blitz | 1,180 | 46.9 | +17.7 |
| | Labour | Alistair MacDonald | 708 | 28.2 | −15.8 |
| | Conservative | Kenneth Creek | 545 | 21.7 | −5.2 |
| | Green | Gillian Cossham | 81 | 3.2 | +3.2 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 472 | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2519 | 42.0 | |
| | Liberal Democrats gain from Labour | Liberal Democrats gain from Labour | Swing | | |
A by-election was held following the death of Labour councillor Carol Wallace in 2000. David Evans retained the seat for the Labour Party.
Bishophill Ward By-Election 22 February 2001 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | David Evans | 686 | 36.9 | −9.3 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Martin Bartlett | 556 | 29.9 | +12.7 |
| | Green | Andy Chase | 370 | 19.9 | +1.0 |
| | Conservative | Bill Bennett | 246 | 13.2 | −4.5 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 130 | 7.0 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,858 | 36.2 | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | | |

### 2003–2007
#### Local election

Local elections for City of York Council took place on 1 May 2003. Boundary changes reduced the number of seats from 53 to 47. The Liberal Democrats won 29 seats, Labour won 15 seats, the Green Party won two seats and an independent candidate won one seat. The Liberal Democrats won overall control of the council.
York local election result 2003 :
| Party | Seats | Gains | Losses | Net gain/loss | Seats % | Votes % | Votes |
| Liberal Democrats | 29 | 7 | 0 | +7 | 61.7 | 42.5 | 25,142 |
| Labour | 15 | 0 | 12 | -12 | 31.9 | 22.6 | 13,361 |
| Conservative | 0 | 0 | 3 | -3 | 0 | 18.0 | 10,643 |
| Green | 2 | 2 | 0 | +2 | 4.3 | 8.8 | 5,192 |
| Independent | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | | | |

### 2007–2011
#### Local election

Local elections for City of York Council took place on 3 May 2007. Of the 47 seats contested, the Liberal Democrats won 19 seats, Labour won 18 seats, Conservatives won eight seats and the Green Party won two seats. The Liberal Democrats lose ten seats and overall control of the council.
York Local Election Result 2007 :
| Party | Seats | Gains | Losses | Net gain/loss | Seats % |
| Liberal Democrats | 19 | 0 | 10 | -10 | 40.43 |
| Labour | 18 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 38.30 |
| Conservative | 8 | 8 | 0 | 8 | 17.02 |
| Green | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4.26 |

#### By-elections

Following the death of Conservative councillor Bill Bennett in 2007, the Heworth Without seat was won by Liberal Democrat, Nigel Ayre.
Heworth Without Ward By-Election 6 September 2007 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal Democrats | Nigel Ayre | 914 | 46.7 | +11.0 |
| | Conservative | Adam Sinclair | 703 | 35.9 | −1.8 |
| | Labour | Margaret Wells | 219 | 11.2 | −5.8 |
| | BNP | Michaela Knight | 63 | 3.2 | +3.2 |
| | Green | Charles Everett | 58 | 3.0 | −1.4 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 211 | 10.8 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,957 | 61.8 | |
| | Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative | Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative | Swing | | |
Labour councillor Paul Blanchard resigned for personal reasons in 2009. His Heworth seat was retained for Labour by Barbara Boyce.
Heworth Ward By-Election 10 September 2009 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Barbara Boyce | 876 | 34.0 | −2.7 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Jennifer Ayre | 608 | 23.6 | +11.5 |
| | Conservative | Andrew Whitney | 591 | 23.0 | +2.3 |
| | Green | Denise Craghill | 302 | 11.7 | −6.2 |
| | BNP | Jeff Kelly | 172 | 6.7 | −5.9 |
| | Monster Raving Loony | Eddie Vee | 25 | 1.0 | +1.0 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 268 | 10.4 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,581 | 26.6 | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | | |
Labour Councillor Dr. Roger Pierce resigned in 2010 due to ill health. His Hull Road seat was retained for Labour by Mick Hoban.
Hull Road Ward By-Election 14 October 2010 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Mick Hoban | 860 | 58.7 | +24.5 |
| | Conservative | Robin Dickson | 296 | 20.2 | −4.8 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Rachael Williams | 183 | 12.5 | −3.3 |
| | Green | John Cossham | 84 | 5.7 | −8.3 |
| | BNP | Trevor Brown | 42 | 2.9 | −8.1 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 564 | 38.4 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,468 | 18.3 | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | | |

### 2011–2015
#### Local election

Local elections for City of York Council took place on 5 May 2011. Of the 47 seats contested, Labour won 26 seats, Conservatives won ten seats, the Liberal Democrats won eight seats, the Green Party won two seats and an independent candidate won one seat. The Labour Party gained overall control of the council from no overall control.
York Local Election Result 2011 :
| Party | Seats | Gains | Losses | Net gain/loss | Seats % | Votes % | Votes | +/− |
| Labour | 26 | 8 | 0 | +8 | 55.3 | 31.6 | 20,297 | +9.2% |
| Conservative | 10 | 3 | 0 | +3 | 24.1 | 21.9 | 15,472 | -2.7% |
| Liberal Democrats | 8 | 0 | 12 | -12 | 17 | 26.4 | 16,888 | -3.8% |
| Green | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4.3 | 14.6 | 9,349 | -0.4% |
| Independent | 1 | 1 | 0 | +1 | 2.1 | 0.4 | 630 | +0.4% |

#### By-elections

A by-election was held in October 2014 following the death of Councillor Lynn Jefferies. The seat was won by the Liberal Democrat candidate and former Council Leader Andrew Waller.
Westfield Ward By-Election 16 October 2014 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal Democrats | Andrew Waller | 1,804 | 60.2 | +25.8 |
| | Labour | Louise Corson | 588 | 19.6 | −23.8 |
| | UKIP | Judith Morris | 398 | 13.3 | N/A |
| | Conservative | Jason Brown | 113 | 3.8 | −10.0 |
| | Green | Alison Webb | 87 | 2.9 | −5.5 |
| | English Democrat | Sam Kelly | 5 | 0.2 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,216 | 40.6 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2995 | 28.5 | −9.5 |
| | Liberal Democrats gain from Labour | Liberal Democrats gain from Labour | Swing | 24.8 | |

### 2015–2019
#### Local election

Local elections for City of York Council took place on 7 May 2015. New ward boundaries came into effect. Of the 47 seats contested, Labour won 15 seats to form the largest group on the council, Conservatives won 14 seat, the Liberal Democrats won 12 seats, the Green Party won four seats and two independent candidates won seats. Following talks between the political groups after the election, the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats agreed to run the council as a joint administration.
York Local Election Result 2015 :
| Party | Seats | Gains | Losses | Net gain/loss | Seats % | Votes % | Votes | +/− |
| Labour | 15 | 0 | 11 | -11 | 31.9 | 23.1 | 25,311 | -8.5 |
| Conservative | 14 | 4 | 0 | +4 | 29.8 | 27.9 | 30,572 | +8 |
| Liberal Democrats | 12 | 5 | 1 | +4 | 25.5 | 21.4 | 23,444 | -5 |
| Green | 4 | 2 | 0 | +2 | 8.5 | 14.9 | 16,286 | +0.3 |
| Independent | 2 | 1 | 0 | +1 | 4.3 | 6.1 | 6,715 | +5.7 |
NB For wards with multiple seats, the total shown is for each party's highest-polling candidate.

#### By-elections

Labour Councillors Julie Gunnell and David Levene resigned in 2017 for personal reasons, their seats were retained by Labour candidates Jonny Crawshaw and Michael Pavlovic.
Hull Road Ward By-Election 8 June 2017 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | Michael Pavlovic | 3,408 | |
| | Conservative | Matt Freckelton | 1,199 | |
| | Green | John Scobell Cossham | 826 | |
| | Liberal Democrats | Alex Nowis | 407 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,209 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,876 | 56.8 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | |
Micklegate Ward By-Election 8 June 2017 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | Jonny Crawshaw | 3,772 | |
| | Green | Rosie Baker | 1,581 | |
| | Conservative | Paul Healey | 1,460 | |
| | Liberal Democrats | Aileen Alison Hingston | 634 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,191 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 7,468 | 75.5 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | |
Labour councillor and former Lord Mayor Sonja Crisp stepped down in 2018 due to ill health, her seat was retained by Labour candidate Kallum Taylor.
Holgate Ward By-Election 15 February 2018 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Kallum Mark Taylor | 1,521 | 50.0 | +22.6 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Emma Claire Keef | 982 | 32.3 | +19.5 |
| | Conservative | Joe Pattinson | 334 | 11.0 | −8.0 |
| | Green | Andreas Heinemeyer | 203 | 6.7 | −9.3 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,209 | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 539 | 34 | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | | |

### 2019-2023
#### Local election

Local elections for City of York Council took place on 2 May 2019. Of the 47 seats contested, the Liberal Democrats won 21, Labour won 17, the Green Party won 4, independents won 3, and the Conservatives won 2. Following the election, the Liberal Democrats and Green Party formed a coalition.
York Local Election Result 2019 :
| Party | Party | Candidates | Candidates | Candidates | Candidates | Candidates | Candidates | Votes | Votes | Votes |
| Party | Party | Stood | Elected | Gained | Unseated | Net | % of total | % | No. | Net % |
| | Liberal Democrats | 47 | 21 | 9 | 0 | +9 | 44.7 | 34.5 | 48,247 | +10.6 |
| | Labour | 47 | 17 | 2 | 0 | +2 | 36.2 | 28.4 | 39,750 | +2.8 |
| | Green | 47 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8.5 | 17.0 | 23,842 | +1.4 |
| | Independent | 10 | 3 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 6.4 | 3.7 | 5,183 | +0.3 |
| | Conservative | 47 | 2 | 0 | 12 | -12 | 4.3 | 15.5 | 21,707 | -12.8 |
| | UKIP | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.5 | 662 | -1.9 |
| | Women's Equality | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.3 | 389 | N/A |
| | Socialist Alternative | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.1 | 148 | N/A |

### 2023-2027
#### Local election

Local elections for City of York Council took place on 4 May 2023. Of the 47 seats contested, Labour won 24, the Liberal Democrats won 19, the Conservatives won 3, and independents won 1. Following the election, Labour formed a majority administration.
City of York Council :
| Party | Party | Candidates | Candidates | Candidates | Candidates | Candidates | Candidates | Votes | Votes | Votes |
| Party | Party | Stood | Elected | Gained | Unseated | Net | % of total | % | No. | Net % |
| | Labour | 47 | 24 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 51.1 | 42.4 | 55,995 | +14.0 |
| | Liberal Democrats | 47 | 19 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 40.4 | 31.1 | 41,080 | –3.4 |
| | Conservative | 45 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 6.4 | 13.8 | 18,191 | –1.7 |
| | Independent | 5 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2.1 | 1.4 | 1,898 | –2.3 |
| | Green | 47 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 0.0 | 11.1 | 14,655 | –5.9 |
| | Yorkshire | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | | 0.0 | 0.1 | 154 | N/A |
| | TUSC | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | | 0.0 | 0.1 | 141 | N/A |

#### By-elections

Labour Councillor Sophie Kelly resigned for personal reasons triggering a by-election in Hull Road Ward on Thursday, 4 July 2024, the same day as the 2024 United Kingdom general election. John Moroney retained the seat for Labour.
Hull Road Ward By-Election 4 July 2024 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | John Moroney | 1,203 | 38.5 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Andrew Mortimer | 1,008 | 32.2 |
| | Green | Ben Ffrench | 602 | 19.3 |
| | Conservative | Ellis Holden | 314 | 10.0 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 195 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 3,127 | 36 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | |
Liberal Democrat councillor Ed Pearson resigned for personal reasons triggering a by-election in Haxby and Wigginton Ward on Thursday, 28 November 2024.
Haxby and Wigginton Ward By-Election 28 November 2024 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Liberal Democrats | Richard Watson | 1,848 | 64.0 |
| | Conservative | Jessie Secker | 435 | 15.1 |
| | Reform UK | John Crispin-Bailey | 235 | 11.3 |
| | Labour Co-op | James Flinders | 203 | 7.0 |
| | Green | Ian Lowson | 76 | 2.6 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,413 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,879 | 29.5 |
| | Liberal Democrats hold | Liberal Democrats hold | Swing | |