# 2023 Sevenoaks District Council election

The 2023 Sevenoaks District Council election took place on 4 May 2023 to elect members of Sevenoaks District Council in Kent, England. This was on the same day as other local elections across England.

## Summary

The Conservatives lost 13 seats compared to the previous election in 2019, but nevertheless retained a majority of the seats on the council. One of those Conservatives who lost their seat was the leader of the council, Peter Fleming, who had been leader since 2005. Julia Thornton was chosen as new leader of the Conservative group and was formally appointed as leader of the council at the subsequent annual council meeting on 23 May 2023.
The Green Party gained their first seats on the council in, winning all three seats in Ash/New Ash Green plus one in Eynsford.

### Election result

The overall results were:
2023 Sevenoaks District Council election :
| Party | Candidates | Seats | Gains | Losses | Net gain/loss | Seats % | Votes % | Votes | +/− |
| Conservative | 54 | 33 | 2 | 14 | 13 | 61.1 | 51.1 | 31,747 | –6.9 |
| Liberal Democrats | 29 | 14 | 10 | 0 | 11 | 25.9 | 28.1 | 17,449 | +13.2 |
| Green | 20 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 7.4 | 10.7 | 6,629 | +4.2 |
| Independent | 10 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 5.6 | 5.3 | 3,273 | –5.2 |
| Labour | 11 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0.0 | 4.7 | 2,923 | –5.0 |
| Reform UK | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | | 0.0 | 0.1 | 83 | N/A |
| SDP | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | | 0.0 | 0.1 | 78 | N/A |

## Candidates

The Statement of Persons Nominated, which details the candidates standing in each ward, was released by Sevenoaks District Council following the close of nominations on 4 April 2023. The results in each ward were as follows:

### Ash and New Ash Green

Ash and New Ash Green (3 seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Green | Laura Manston | 1,066 | 65.6 | +27.0 |
| | Green | Shani Manamperi | 1,018 | 62.6 | N/A |
| | Green | Mark Lindop | 918 | 56.5 | N/A |
| | Conservative | Claire Nelson* | 589 | 36.2 | −24.5 |
| | Conservative | George Pender* | 537 | 33.0 | −21.4 |
| | Conservative | Andrew Juxon | 460 | 28.3 | −15.1 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,625 | 36 | |
| | Green gain from Conservative | Green gain from Conservative | Swing | | |
| | Green gain from Conservative | Green gain from Conservative | Swing | | |
| | Green gain from Conservative | Green gain from Conservative | Swing | | |

### Brasted, Chevening and Sundridge

Brasted, Chevening and Sundridge (3 seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Nigel Williams* | 918 | 49.4 | −7.1 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Sandra Robinson | 897 | 48.3 | N/A |
| | Liberal Democrats | Michelle Alger | 895 | 48.1 | N/A |
| | Liberal Democrats | Jennifer McCloskey | 884 | 47.6 | N/A |
| | Conservative | James London* | 877 | 47.2 | −4.0 |
| | Conservative | Keith Bonin* | 845 | 45.5 | −6.4 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,859 | 39 | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |
| | Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative | Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative | Swing | | |
| | Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative | Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative | Swing | | |

### Cowden and Hever

Cowden and Hever :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | James Barnett | 337 | 53.7 | +53.7 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Kenton Ward | 164 | 26.2 | N/A |
| | Green | Juliet Townsend | 126 | 20.1 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 627 | 38 | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |

### Crockenhill and Well Hill

Crockenhill and Well Hill :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Independent | Rachel Waterton* | 500 | 86.7 | +54.7 |
| | Conservative | Luke Taylor | 77 | 13.3 | −10.9 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 577 | 37 | |
| | Independent hold | Independent hold | Swing | | |

### Dunton Green and Riverhead

Dunton Green and Riverhead (2 seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Kim Bayley* | 639 | 45.9 | +45.9 |
| | Conservative | Graham Clark | 588 | 42.2 | +42.2 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Libby Ancrum | 464 | 33.3 | N/A |
| | Liberal Democrats | Richard Gustard | 354 | 25.4 | N/A |
| | Independent | Freda England | 323 | 23.2 | N/A |
| | Labour | Carl Marten | 176 | 12.6 | N/A |
| | Labour | Gavin Owen | 153 | 11.0 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,392 | 33 | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |

### Edenbridge North and East

Edenbridge North and East (2 seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Angela Baker | 690 | 59.4 | +2.3 |
| | Liberal Democrats | James Morgan | 566 | 48.7 | +24.0 |
| | Conservative | Stuart McGregor* | 556 | 47.8 | +2.3 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,162 | 28 | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |
| | Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative | Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative | Swing | | |

### Edenbridge South and West

Edenbridge South and West (2 seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Alan Layland* | 495 | 55.1 | +14.6 |
| | Conservative | Margot McArthur* | 415 | 46.2 | +4.6 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Caroline Mace | 396 | 44.0 | +23.4 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Jon Aldridge | 393 | 43.7 | +4.6 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 899 | 28 | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |

### Eynsford

Eynsford :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Green | Michael Barker | 378 | 63.7 | +15.6 |
| | Conservative | Alan Cheeseman* | 215 | 36.3 | −15.1 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 593 | 41 | |
| | Green gain from Conservative | Green gain from Conservative | Swing | | |

### Farningham, Horton Kirby and South Darenth

Farningham, Horton Kirby and South Darenth (2 seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Alan White | 550 | 56.4 | −1.7 |
| | Conservative | Laurence Ball | 541 | 55.4 | −2.2 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Tristan Ward | 357 | 36.6 | −3.3 |
| | Green | Toby Croker | 309 | 31.7 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 976 | 26 | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |

### Fawkham and West Kingsdown

Fawkham and West Kingsdown (3 seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Lynda Harrison* | 820 | 67.4 | +17.5 |
| | Conservative | Emily Bulford* | 758 | 62.3 | +18.6 |
| | Conservative | Sean Malone | 532 | 43.7 | +6.2 |
| | Independent | Maxine Fothergill* | 416 | 34.2 | −13.9 |
| | Green | Sandie Peters | 284 | 23.3 | −5.0 |
| | Green | Chris Russell | 249 | 20.5 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,217 | 25 | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |
| | Conservative gain from Independent | Conservative gain from Independent | Swing | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |

### Halstead, Knockholt and Badgers Mount

Halstead, Knockholt and Badgers Mount (2 seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Gary Williamson* | 620 | 63.9 | −12.2 |
| | Conservative | John Grint* | 604 | 62.2 | −6.2 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Laura Covill | 336 | 34.6 | N/A |
| | Liberal Democrats | John Roberts | 286 | 29.5 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 971 | 36 | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |

### Hartley and Hodsoll Street

Hartley and Hodsoll Street (3 seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Larry Abraham* | 1,066 | 70.0 | −4.9 |
| | Conservative | Penny Cole* | 1,055 | 69.3 | −0.9 |
| | Conservative | Perry Cole* | 1,041 | 68.4 | +4.0 |
| | Green | Mark Chang | 381 | 25.0 | −4.9 |
| | Green | Mike Young | 381 | 25.0 | +0.4 |
| | Green | Richard Cobbold | 374 | 24.6 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,522 | 32 | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |

### Hextable

Hextable (2 seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Independent | Darren Kitchener* | 631 | 72.3 | +9.7 |
| | Independent | Chrissy Hudson* | 444 | 50.9 | +1.7 |
| | Independent | Henry Bull | 300 | 34.4 | N/A |
| | Conservative | Jaami al-Choudhury | 154 | 17.6 | +5.7 |
| | Conservative | Anwara Ali | 154 | 17.6 | +6.9 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 873 | 27 | |
| | Independent hold | Independent hold | Swing | | |
| | Independent hold | Independent hold | Swing | | |

### Kemsing

Kemsing (2 seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Simon Reay* | 646 | 56.0 | −13.4 |
| | Conservative | Christopher Haslam | 567 | 49.2 | −15.8 |
| | Green | Ian Head | 471 | 40.8 | N/A |
| | Liberal Democrats | Gareth Willis | 437 | 37.9 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,153 | 35 | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |

### Leigh and Chiddingstone Causeway

Leigh and Chiddingstone Causeway :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal Democrats | Malcolm Silander | 410 | 58.6 | N/A |
| | Conservative | Michael Gemmell Smith | 290 | 41.4 | +41.4 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 700 | 38 | |
| | Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative | Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative | Swing | | |

### Otford and Shoreham

Otford and Shoreham (2 seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | John Edwards-Winser* | 759 | 54.8 | −3.4 |
| | Conservative | Irene Roy* | 639 | 46.2 | −6.9 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Benedict Bannister | 427 | 30.9 | −1.9 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Iain Porter | 402 | 29.0 | +10.7 |
| | Green | Maya Forth | 294 | 21.2 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,384 | 38 | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |

### Penshurst, Fordcombe and Chiddingstone

Penshurst, Fordcombe and Chiddingstone :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal Democrats | Richard Streatfeild* | 433 | 53.5 | N/A |
| | Conservative | Ian Butcher | 376 | 46.5 | +46.5 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 57 | 7.0 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 809 | 42 | N/A |
| | Liberal Democrats hold | Liberal Democrats hold | Swing | N/A | |

### Seal and Weald

Seal and Weald (2 seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Julia Thornton* | 567 | 51.1 | −11.7 |
| | Conservative | Roddy Hogarth* | 564 | 50.9 | −7.6 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Andrew Michaelides | 534 | 48.2 | +5.8 |
| | Green | Gabriel Preutu | 380 | 34.3 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,109 | 34 | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |

### Sevenoaks Eastern

Sevenoaks Eastern (2 seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal Democrats | Tony Clayton* | 911 | 79.0 | +16.4 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Elizabeth Purves* | 871 | 75.5 | +12.6 |
| | Conservative | Paul Julius | 235 | 20.4 | −3.3 |
| | Conservative | Barbara Reade | 212 | 18.4 | −3.7 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,153 | 39 | |
| | Liberal Democrats hold | Liberal Democrats hold | Swing | | |
| | Liberal Democrats hold | Liberal Democrats hold | Swing | | |

### Sevenoaks Kippington

Sevenoaks Kippington (2 seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal Democrats | Chloe Gustard | 811 | 51.7 | +9.4 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Nicholas Varley | 781 | 49.7 | N/A |
| | Conservative | Avril Hunter* | 730 | 46.5 | −14.4 |
| | Conservative | James Turner | 652 | 41.5 | −18.2 |
| | SDP | Ian Grattidge | 78 | 5.0 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,570 | 43 | |
| | Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative | Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative | Swing | | |
| | Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative | Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative | Swing | | |

### Sevenoaks Northern

Sevenoaks Northern (2 seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal Democrats | Claire Shea | 750 | 65.4 | +10.5 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Alan Leaman | 688 | 60.0 | +21.1 |
| | Conservative | Irene Collins* | 389 | 33.9 | −6.2 |
| | Conservative | Kassia Estrada-Castillon | 269 | 23.5 | −15.4 |
| | Reform UK | Daniel Kersten | 83 | 7.2 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,146 | 36 | |
| | Liberal Democrats hold | Liberal Democrats hold | Swing | | |
| | Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative | Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative | Swing | | |

### Sevenoaks Town and St. John's

Sevenoaks Town and St. John's (3 seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal Democrats | Susan Camp | 1,165 | 55.2 | +20.2 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Victoria Granville | 1,156 | 54.8 | +26.8 |
| | Liberal Democrats | David Skinner | 1,103 | 52.3 | +26.1 |
| | Conservative | Peter Fleming* | 936 | 44.3 | −5.0 |
| | Conservative | Caroline Platt | 863 | 40.9 | −4.2 |
| | Conservative | Simon Raikes* | 843 | 39.9 | 5.2 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,111 | 43 | |
| | Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative | Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative | Swing | | |
| | Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative | Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative | Swing | | |
| | Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative | Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative | Swing | | |

### Swanley Christchurch and Swanley Village

Swanley Christchurch and Swanley Village (3 seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Clare Barnes* | 858 | 64.9 | +8.1 |
| | Conservative | Michael Horwood | 808 | 61.1 | +10.0 |
| | Conservative | Nina Scott | 655 | 49.5 | +11.8 |
| | Labour | David Griffiths | 369 | 27.9 | +5.4 |
| | Labour | Melvyn George | 338 | 25.6 | +4.9 |
| | Labour | Ian Rashbrook | 334 | 25.3 | +8.4 |
| | Independent | Tony Searles | 271 | 20.5 | −8.1 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,322 | 29 | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |

### Swanley St. Mary's

Swanley St. Mary's (2 seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Lesley Dyball* | 417 | 64.9 | +37.8 |
| | Conservative | Cathy Morgan | 354 | 55.1 | +23.0 |
| | Labour | Jackie Griffiths* | 229 | 35.6 | +1.8 |
| | Labour | Jordan Selvey | 217 | 33.7 | +2.5 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 643 | 20 | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |
| | Conservative gain from Labour | Conservative gain from Labour | Swing | | |

### Swanley White Oak

Swanley White Oak (3 seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Glynnis Darrington* | 630 | 58.2 | +12.6 |
| | Conservative | Paul Darrington* | 609 | 56.3 | +9.1 |
| | Conservative | Jasmine Ferrari | 591 | 54.6 | +5.6 |
| | Labour | Angela George | 298 | 27.5 | −3.0 |
| | Labour | Mark Fittock | 289 | 26.7 | −2.5 |
| | Labour | Theo Michael | 244 | 22.6 | −5.6 |
| | Independent | Sarah Andrews* | 164 | 15.2 | −33.8 |
| | Independent | Jen Tuckfield | 139 | 12.8 | N/A |
| | Independent | Albert Venter | 85 | 7.9 | −1.5 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,082 | 23 | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |

### Westerham and Crockham Hill

Westerham and Crockham Hill (2 seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Kevin Maskell* | 586 | 53.7 | −5.5 |
| | Conservative | Diana Esler* | 569 | 52.1 | −9.5 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Tom Mackay | 357 | 32.7 | N/A |
| | Labour | Peter Storey | 276 | 25.3 | −14.3 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Richard Baxter | 221 | 20.2 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,092 | 31 | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |