# 1973 Horsham District Council election

The 1973 Horsham District Council election was the first ever for the council and took place on 7 June 1973 to elect members of Horsham District Council in England. It was held on the same day as other local elections. Independent councillors secured a majority of two with 23 seats, the Conservatives won 17 and the Liberal Party won 2. Labour also took part in the elections, fielding candidates in Horsham South & Horsham North only. The Liberal Party were successful in Broadbridge Heath and they were able to secure a seat in Storrington. The Conservative Party achieved good results in some rural areas but they were able to win the vast amount of their seats in the town. Independent councillors won a majority of seats in the villages in the district, sometimes unopposed, some later stood as a Conservative candidate three years later in the next set of elections for the Council.

## Council Composition

After the election, the composition of the council was:
| 23 | 17 | 2 |
| Ind | Con | Lib |

## Results summary

1973 Horsham District Council election :
| Party | Seats | Gains | Losses | Net gain/loss | Seats % | Votes % | Votes |
| Independent | 23 | – | – | - | 54.8 | 27.0 | 8,497 |
| Conservative | 17 | – | – | - | 40.5 | 35.2 | 11,085 |
| Liberal | 2 | – | – | - | 4.8 | 15.1 | 4,746 |
| Labour | 0 | – | – | - | 0.0 | 21.4 | 6,761 |
| Other | 0 | – | – | - | 0.0 | 1.4 | 438 |

## Ward results
### Ashington & Washington

Ashington & Washington :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Independent | Rowland T. | 377 | 71.5 | |
| | Independent | Pease P. Ms. | 150 | 28.5 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | | 25.7 | |
| | Independent win (new seat) | Independent win (new seat) | Independent win (new seat) | Independent win (new seat) | Independent win (new seat) |

### Billingshurst

Billingshurst :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Griffin C. | 514 | 52.1 | |
| | Independent | Longhurst K. | 472 | 47.9 | |
| | Conservative | Gillingham D. | 467 | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | | 30.8 | |
| | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) |
| | Independent win (new seat) | Independent win (new seat) | Independent win (new seat) | Independent win (new seat) | Independent win (new seat) |

### Bramber & Upper Beeding

Bramber & Upper Beeding :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Independent | Emsley D. | 668 | 39.9 | |
| | Independent | Sanford L. | 559 | 33.4 | |
| | Liberal | Callard P. | 446 | 26.7 | |
| | Liberal | Rice M. | 340 | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | | 31.4 | |
| | Independent win (new seat) | Independent win (new seat) | Independent win (new seat) | Independent win (new seat) | Independent win (new seat) |
| | Independent win (new seat) | Independent win (new seat) | Independent win (new seat) | Independent win (new seat) | Independent win (new seat) |

### Broadbridge Heath

Broadbridge Heath :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Michie I. | 281 | 55.2 | |
| | Independent | Dunkerton F. | 228 | 44.8 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | | 34.0 | |
| | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) |

### Cowfold

Cowfold :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Independent | Fowler S. | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | | N/A | |
| | Independent win (new seat) | Independent win (new seat) | Independent win (new seat) | Independent win (new seat) | Independent win (new seat) |

### Henfield

Henfield :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Independent | Atkins A. Ms. | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| | Conservative | Bishop L. Ms. | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| | Independent | Coleman B. | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | | N/A | |
| | Independent win (new seat) | Independent win (new seat) | Independent win (new seat) | Independent win (new seat) | Independent win (new seat) |
| | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) |
| | Independent win (new seat) | Independent win (new seat) | Independent win (new seat) | Independent win (new seat) | Independent win (new seat) |

### Horsham South

Horsham South :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Mauchel E. Ms. | 940 | 41.8 | |
| | Conservative | Roberts W. | 932 | | |
| | Conservative | Pinion G. | 921 | | |
| | Conservative | Hassall B. | 881 | | |
| | Labour | O'Connor T. | 816 | 36.3 | |
| | Labour | Pickup D. | 727 | | |
| | Labour | Healy P. | 712 | | |
| | Labour | Oakeshott E. Ms. | 709 | | |
| | Liberal | Armour-Milne J. Ms. | 494 | 22.0 | |
| | Liberal | Armour-Milne J. | 482 | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | | 38.0 | |
| | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) |
| | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) |
| | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) |
| | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) |

### Horsham West

Horsham West :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Independent | Parsons W. | 1,403 | 38.7 | |
| | Conservative | Lane F. | 1,137 | 31.3 | |
| | Independent | Martin G. | 1,090 | 30.0 | |
| | Conservative | Moore B. Ms. | 1,027 | | |
| | Conservative | Windrum A. | 984 | | |
| | Conservative | Collins M. | 727 | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | | 42.5 | |
| | Independent win (new seat) | Independent win (new seat) | Independent win (new seat) | Independent win (new seat) | Independent win (new seat) |
| | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) |
| | Independent win (new seat) | Independent win (new seat) | Independent win (new seat) | Independent win (new seat) | Independent win (new seat) |
| | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) |

### Horsham North

Horsham North :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | West E. Ms. | 1,078 | 37.5 | |
| | Conservative | Murrell A. | 1,066 | | |
| | Conservative | Simpson M. | 1,042 | | |
| | Conservative | Miller E. | 1,035 | | |
| | Conservative | Crighton S. Ms. | 942 | | |
| | Labour | Thurston J. Ms. | 822 | 28.6 | |
| | Labour | Thompson D. | 787 | | |
| | Labour | Ward G. | 751 | | |
| | Labour | Thompson J. Ms. | 722 | | |
| | Labour | McCoy J. | 715 | | |
| | Liberal | Hobbs G. | 594 | 20.7 | |
| | | Hellyer P. | 378 | 13.2 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | | 38.8 | |
| | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) |
| | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) |
| | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) |
| | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) |
| | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) |

### Nuthurst

Nuthurst :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Independent | Mackenzie J. | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | | N/A | |
| | Independent win (new seat) | Independent win (new seat) | Independent win (new seat) | Independent win (new seat) | Independent win (new seat) |

### Pulborough & Coldwatham

Pulborough & Coldwatham :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Gocher H. | 827 | 79.4 | |
| | Conservative | Cousins B. | 820 | | |
| | Liberal | Rudd V. Ms. | 215 | 20.6 | |
| | Liberal | Deadman P. | 208 | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | | 30.5 | |
| | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) |
| | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) |

### Roffey

Roffey :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Independent | Bosanquet D. | 485 | 38.7 | |
| | Conservative | Sheppard A. | 482 | 38.4 | |
| | Liberal | Lewis D. | 287 | 22.9 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | | 39.3 | |
| | Independent win (new seat) | Independent win (new seat) | Independent win (new seat) | Independent win (new seat) | Independent win (new seat) |

### Rudgwick

Rudgwick :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Independent | Henderson P. Ms. | 426 | 73.1 | |
| | Independent | Boyle R. | 157 | 26.9 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | | 36.1 | |
| | Independent win (new seat) | Independent win (new seat) | Independent win (new seat) | Independent win (new seat) | Independent win (new seat) |

### Rusper

Rusper :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Independent | Phelps A. Ms. | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | | N/A | |
| | Independent win (new seat) | Independent win (new seat) | Independent win (new seat) | Independent win (new seat) | Independent win (new seat) |

### Shipley

Shipley :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Independent | Burrell A. Ms. | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | | N/A | |
| | Independent win (new seat) | Independent win (new seat) | Independent win (new seat) | Independent win (new seat) | Independent win (new seat) |

### Slinfold

Slinfold :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Independent | Coxon M. Ms. | 430 | 51.9 | |
| | Independent | Gordon Clark P. Ms. | 398 | 48.1 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | | 41.8 | |
| | Independent win (new seat) | Independent win (new seat) | Independent win (new seat) | Independent win (new seat) | Independent win (new seat) |

### Southwater

Southwater :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Independent | Cheal J. | 550 | 36.6 | |
| | Independent | Charman M. Ms. | 485 | 32.3 | |
| | Independent | Twelvetrees J. Ms. | 379 | 25.2 | |
| | Independent | Dawson M. Ms. | 88 | 5.9 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | | 17.8 | |
| | Independent win (new seat) | Independent win (new seat) | Independent win (new seat) | Independent win (new seat) | Independent win (new seat) |
| | Independent win (new seat) | Independent win (new seat) | Independent win (new seat) | Independent win (new seat) | Independent win (new seat) |

### Steyning

Steyning :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Independent | Dingemans M. Ms. | 943 | 45.6 | |
| | Independent | Mimmack J. | 669 | 32.3 | |
| | Liberal | Campbell J. | 398 | 19.2 | |
| | | Avey C. | 60 | 2.9 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | | 47.8 | |
| | Independent win (new seat) | Independent win (new seat) | Independent win (new seat) | Independent win (new seat) | Independent win (new seat) |
| | Independent win (new seat) | Independent win (new seat) | Independent win (new seat) | Independent win (new seat) | Independent win (new seat) |

### Storrington

Storrington :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Marlow D. | 466 | 37.3 | |
| | Conservative | Shepherd F. | 464 | 37.1 | |
| | Liberal | Adsett A. Ms. | 386 | | |
| | Conservative | Smallwood C. | 383 | | |
| | Independent | Eddolls F. | 321 | 25.7 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | | 38.7 | |
| | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) |
| | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) |

### Sullington

Sullington :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Rogers H. | 248 | 62.5 | |
| | Liberal | Jones L. Ms. | 149 | 37.5 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | | 31.3 | |
| | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) |

### Thakeham

Thakeham :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Independent | Skinner H. | 217 | 57.3 | |
| | Conservative | How J. | 162 | 42.7 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | | 42.5 | |
| | Independent win (new seat) | Independent win (new seat) | Independent win (new seat) | Independent win (new seat) | Independent win (new seat) |

### Warnham

Warnham :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Independent | Hodgson A. | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | | N/A | |
| | Independent win (new seat) | Independent win (new seat) | Independent win (new seat) | Independent win (new seat) | Independent win (new seat) |

### West Chiltington

West Chiltington :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Independent | Gardner J. | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | | N/A | |
| | Independent win (new seat) | Independent win (new seat) | Independent win (new seat) | Independent win (new seat) | Independent win (new seat) |

### West Grinstead

West Grinstead :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Independent | Scragg J. | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | | N/A | |
| | Independent win (new seat) | Independent win (new seat) | Independent win (new seat) | Independent win (new seat) | Independent win (new seat) |