# 2011 Cambridge City Council election

Elections for Cambridge City Council (in Cambridge, England) were held on Thursday 5 May 2011. As the council is elected by thirds, one seat in each of the wards was up for election, with the exception of Cherry Hinton ward where two seats were up for election due to the early retirement of Councillor Stuart Newbold. The vote took place alongside the 2011 United Kingdom Alternative Vote referendum and a Cambridgeshire County Council by-election for Arbury ward.

## Result summary

2011 Cambridge City Council election :
| Party | Party | This election | This election | This election | Full council | Full council | Full council | This election | This election | This election |
| Party | Party | Seats | Net | Seats % | Other | Total | Total % | Votes | Votes % | +/− |
| | Liberal Democrats | 6 | 4 | 40.0 | 19 | 25 | 59.5 | 9,844 | 25.4 | -10.0 |
| | Labour | 9 | 4 | 60.0 | 5 | 14 | 33.3 | 13,762 | 35.5 | +12.1 |
| | Green | 0 | | 0.0 | 2 | 2 | 4.8 | 6,045 | 15.6 | -0.9 |
| | Independent | 0 | | 0.0 | 1 | 1 | 2.4 | 138 | 0.4 | N/A |
| | Conservative | 0 | | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 8,326 | 21.5 | -1.7 |
| | TUSC | 0 | | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 455 | 1.2 | +0.1 |
| | UKIP | 0 | | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 193 | 0.5 | +0.1 |
This result has the following consequences for the total number of seats on the council after the elections:
| Party | Party | Previous council | New council |
| | Liberal Democrats | 29 | 25 |
| | Labour | 10 | 14 |
| | Green | 2 | 2 |
| | Independent | 1 | 1 |
| | Conservatives | 0 | 0 |
| | Trade Unionist & Socialist | 0 | 0 |
| | UKIP | 0 | 0 |
| Total | Total | 42 | 42 | 42 |
| Working majority | Working majority | 16 | 8 |
The Liberal Democrats retained control of the council, albeit with a reduced majority.

## Ward results

Note: in results where, in previous elections, two seats were up for election the party share of the vote is based on an average for those candidates who stood for that particular party in the election.
Changes in party vote is in comparison with the 2010 Cambridge City Council election results.

### Abbey ward

Councillor Caroline Hart was defending her Abbey seat for the Labour Party.
Cambridge City Council elections 2011: Abbey ward :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Caroline Hart | 1,057 | 41.8 | +19.0 |
| | Green | Brett Hughes | 796 | 31.5 | +1.8 |
| | Conservative | Craig Thomas | 414 | 16.4 | −4.0 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Christopher Brown | 260 | 10.3 | −16.9 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 261 | 10.3 | |
| Rejected ballots | Rejected ballots | Rejected ballots | 22 | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,527 | 37.5 | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | +8.6 | |

### Arbury ward

Councillor Alan Levy was defending his Arbury seat for the Liberal Democrats.
Cambridge City Council elections 2011: Arbury ward :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Carina O'Reilly | 1,310 | 40.5 | +13.5 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Alan Levy | 1,015 | 31.4 | −7.5 |
| | Conservative | Ali Meftah | 448 | 13.8 | −5.5 |
| | Green | Stephen Lawrence | 377 | 11.6 | −3.2 |
| | UKIP | Albert Watts | 87 | 2.7 | +2.7 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 295 | 9.1 | |
| Rejected ballots | Rejected ballots | Rejected ballots | 35 | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 3,237 | 47.8 | |
| | Labour gain from Liberal Democrats | Labour gain from Liberal Democrats | Swing | +10.5 | |

### Castle ward

Councillor Tania Zmura retired her seat. Philip Tucker was aiming to retain the vacated seat for the Liberal Democrats.
Cambridge City Council elections 2011: Castle ward :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal Democrats | Philip Tucker | 973 | 33.6 | −11.1 |
| | Labour | Ashley Walsh | 728 | 25.2 | +9.8 |
| | Conservative | Philip Salway | 620 | 21.4 | −0.4 |
| | Green | Jack Toye | 572 | 19.8 | +1.8 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 254 | 8.4 | |
| Rejected ballots | Rejected ballots | Rejected ballots | 67 | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,893 | 43.7 | |
| | Liberal Democrats hold | Liberal Democrats hold | Swing | -10.5 | |

### Cherry Hinton ward

Due to the retirement of Labour Party Councillor Stuart Newbold, two seats were up for election. Councillor Russ McPherson was defending his seat for the Labour Party.
Cambridge City Council elections 2011: Cherry Hinton ward (two seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Mark Ashton | 1,525 | 51.5 | +13.1 |
| | Labour | Russ McPherson | 1,464 | 49.4 | +11.0 |
| | Conservative | Anthony Turnham | 880 | 29.7 | +0.3 |
| | Conservative | Timothy Haire | 865 | 29.2 | −0.2 |
| | Green | Jane Esgate | 304 | 10.3 | +2.5 |
| | Green | Neil Ford | 267 | 9.0 | +1.2 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Keith Edkins | 246 | 8.3 | −16.1 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Joe Ryan | 205 | 6.9 | −17.5 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 584 | 19.7 | |
| Rejected ballots | Rejected ballots | Rejected ballots | 19 | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,756 | 45.8 | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | +6.5 | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | +5.5 | |

### Coleridge ward

Councillor Jeremy Benstead was defending his Coleridge seat for the Labour Party.
Cambridge City Council elections 2011: Coleridge ward :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Jeremy Benstead | 1,346 | 46.9 | +14.6 |
| | Conservative | Andrew Bower | 869 | 30.3 | +1.9 |
| | Green | Valerie Hopkins | 368 | 12.8 | +1.9 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Thomas Yates | 285 | 9.9 | −15.6 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 477 | 16.6 | |
| Rejected ballots | Rejected ballots | Rejected ballots | 27 | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,868 | 45.5 | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | +6.4 | |

### East Chesterton ward

Councillor Clare Blair was defending her East Chesterton seat for the Liberal Democrats.
Cambridge City Council elections 2011: East Chesterton ward :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Gerri Bird | 1,133 | 38.4 | +18.2 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Clare Blair | 912 | 30.9 | −3.5 |
| | Conservative | Kevin Francis | 488 | 16.5 | −5.7 |
| | Green | Peter Pope | 312 | 10.7 | −4.4 |
| | UKIP | Peter Burkinshaw | 106 | 3.6 | +3.6 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 221 | 7.5 | |
| Rejected ballots | Rejected ballots | Rejected ballots | 32 | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,951 | 44.7 | |
| | Labour gain from Liberal Democrats | Labour gain from Liberal Democrats | Swing | +10.9 | |

### King's Hedges ward

Councillor Mike Pitt was defending his King's Hedges seat for the Liberal Democrats.
Cambridge City Council elections 2011: King's Hedges ward :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Kevin Price | 905 | 40.0 | +11.0 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Mike Pitt | 729 | 32.3 | −4.0 |
| | Conservative | Annette Karimi | 390 | 17.3 | −6.6 |
| | Independent | Ian Tyes | 138 | 6.1 | +6.1 |
| | TUSC | Martin Booth | 99 | 4.4 | +2.1 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 175 | 7.7 | |
| Rejected ballots | Rejected ballots | Rejected ballots | 21 | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,261 | 36.9 | |
| | Labour gain from Liberal Democrats | Labour gain from Liberal Democrats | Swing | +7.5 | |

### Market ward

Councillor Michael Dixon retired his seat. Andrea Reiner was aiming to retain the vacated seat for the Liberal Democrats.
Cambridge City Council elections 2011: Market ward :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal Democrats | Andrea Reiner | 754 | 28.0 | −15.0 |
| | Labour | Oliver Holbrook | 665 | 24.7 | +10.2 |
| | Green | Alexandra Collis | 651 | 24.2 | +4.4 |
| | Conservative | Jeremy Waller | 620 | 23.0 | +0.3 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 89 | 3.3 | |
| Rejected ballots | Rejected ballots | Rejected ballots | 59 | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,690 | 41.5 | |
| | Liberal Democrats hold | Liberal Democrats hold | Swing | -12.6 | |

### Newnham ward

Councillor Julie Smith was defending her Newnham seat for the Liberal Democrats.
Cambridge City Council elections 2011: Newnham ward :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal Democrats | Julie Smith | 990 | 35.2 | −9.7 |
| | Labour | Richard Johnson | 756 | 26.9 | +11.3 |
| | Conservative | Joanna Anscombe-Bell | 621 | 22.1 | −1.9 |
| | Green | James Youd | 443 | 15.8 | +0.3 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 234 | 8.3 | |
| Rejected ballots | Rejected ballots | Rejected ballots | 52 | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,810 | 43.2 | |
| | Liberal Democrats hold | Liberal Democrats hold | Swing | -10.5 | |

### Petersfield ward

Councillor Lucy Walker retired her Petersfield seat. Kevin Blencowe was aiming to retain the vacated seat for the Labour Party.
Cambridge City Council elections 2011: Petersfield ward :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Kevin Blencowe | 1,353 | 48.9 | +21.2 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Zoe O'Connell | 594 | 21.5 | −11.9 |
| | Green | Shayne Mitchell | 481 | 17.4 | −2.1 |
| | Conservative | Shapour Meftah | 340 | 12.3 | −1.4 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 759 | 27.4 | |
| Rejected ballots | Rejected ballots | Rejected ballots | 25 | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,768 | 49.9 | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | +16.6 | |

### Queen Edith's ward

Councillor Viki Sanders retired her Queen Edith's seat. George Pippas was aiming to retain the vacated seat for the Liberal Democrats.
Cambridge City Council elections 2011: Queen Edith's ward :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal Democrats | George Pippas | 1,318 | 41.1 | −7.9 |
| | Conservative | Vince Marino | 830 | 25.9 | −2.2 |
| | Labour | Sue Birtles | 642 | 20.0 | +7.6 |
| | Green | Brian Westcott | 416 | 13.0 | +5.3 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 488 | 15.2 | |
| Rejected ballots | Rejected ballots | Rejected ballots | 24 | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 3,206 | 49.9 | |
| | Liberal Democrats hold | Liberal Democrats hold | Swing | -2.8 | |

### Romsey ward

Councillor Raj Shah was defending his Romsey seat for the Liberal Democrats.
Cambridge City Council elections 2011: Romsey ward :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Zoe Moghadas | 996 | 33.3 | +11.4 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Raj Shah | 870 | 29.1 | −9.0 |
| | Green | Jamie Gibson | 411 | 13.7 | −2.7 |
| | Conservative | Sam Barker | 360 | 12.0 | −2.1 |
| | TUSC | Tom Woodcock | 356 | 11.9 | +2.4 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 126 | 4.2 | |
| Rejected ballots | Rejected ballots | Rejected ballots | 18 | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,993 | 46.0 | |
| | Labour gain from Liberal Democrats | Labour gain from Liberal Democrats | Swing | +10.2 | |

### Trumpington ward

Councillor Andy Blackhurst was defending his Trumpington seat for the Liberal Democrats.
Cambridge City Council elections 2011: Trumpington ward :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal Democrats | Andy Blackhurst | 991 | 36.1 | −7.1 |
| | Conservative | John Ionides | 869 | 31.7 | +0.4 |
| | Labour | Kenny Latunde-Dada | 481 | 17.5 | +3.3 |
| | Green | Ceri Galloway | 401 | 14.6 | +3.3 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 122 | 4.4 | |
| Rejected ballots | Rejected ballots | Rejected ballots | 24 | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,742 | 40.6 | |
| | Liberal Democrats hold | Liberal Democrats hold | Swing | -3.8 | |

### West Chesterton ward

Councillor Damien Tunnacliffe was defending his West Chesterton seat for the Liberal Democrats.
Cambridge City Council elections 2011: West Chesterton ward :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal Democrats | Damien Tunnacliffe | 1,225 | 38.5 | −1.1 |
| | Labour | Mike Sargeant | 866 | 27.2 | +7.8 |
| | Conservative | Robert Yeatman | 577 | 18.1 | +2.0 |
| | Green | Stephen Lintott | 513 | 16.1 | −5.5 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 359 | 11.3 | |
| Rejected ballots | Rejected ballots | Rejected ballots | 27 | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 3,181 | 52.3 | |
| | Liberal Democrats hold | Liberal Democrats hold | Swing | -4.5 | |

## Cambridgeshire County Council by-election for Arbury division
### Arbury division

Following the retirement of County Councillor Rupert Moss-Eccardt, the Cambridgeshire County Council seat for Arbury was vacant. Amy Ellis was aiming to retain the seat for the Liberal Democrats.
Cambridgeshire City Council by-election 2011: Arbury division :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Paul Sales | 1,214 | 37.5 | +8.9 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Amy Ellis | 1,078 | 33.7 | −8.3 |
| | Conservative | Shapour Meftah | 496 | 15.5 | −0.3 |
| | Green | Martin Bonner | 411 | 12.8 | −0.4 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 136 | 3.8 | N/A |
| Rejected ballots | Rejected ballots | Rejected ballots | 35 | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 3,199 | 47.2 | |
| | Labour gain from Liberal Democrats | Labour gain from Liberal Democrats | Swing | +8.6 | |

## Alternative Vote referendum result for Cambridge

Cambridge was one of the few areas of the country that voted "yes" for the Alternative Vote in the referendum held on 5 May 2011. The result was as follows:
United Kingdom Alternative Vote referendum, 2011 – Cambridge result :
| Choice | Votes | % |
| Yes | 21,253 | 54.32 |
| No | 18,871 | 45.85 |
| Valid votes | 39,124 | 99.4 |
| Invalid or blank votes | 236 | 0.6 |
| Total votes | 39,361 | 100.00 |
| Registered voters/turnout | 81,273 | 48.43 |
| Source: |||