# Castle (Colchester ward)

Castle is an electoral ward in Colchester, England. It was first used in the 1973 election. It returns three councillors to Colchester City Council. The ward covers central Colchester, including the city centre, the historic Dutch Quarter neighbourhood and Colchester Castle, which lends its namesake to the ward. The ward was subject to boundary revisions in 1976, 1990, 2002 and 2016 of which only the 2002 revision made significant changes to the electorate.

## List of councillors

| Term | Councillor | Party |
| 1973–1976 | C. Robb | Labour |
| 1973–1976 | G. Sheward | Labour |
| 1973–1980 | S. Wills | Labour |
| 1976–19921995–1999 | Ken Cooke | Labour |
| 1976–1983 | D. Dunn | Labour |
| 1980–1984 | D. Goodchild | Labour |
| 1983–1987 | E. Humphrey | Conservative |
| 1984–1988 | R. Cole | Conservative |
| 1988–1990 | as above | Liberal Democrats |
| 1987–2010 | Chris Hall | Liberal Democrats |
| 1990–1995 | J. Carter | Liberal Democrats |
| 1990–2012 | Henry Spyvee | Liberal Democrats |
| 1999–2007 | Ken Jones | Liberal Democrats |
| 2010–2016 | Bill Frame | Liberal Democrats |
| 2012–2016 | Jo Hayes | Liberal Democrats |
| 2018–2022 | Simon Crow | Conservative |
| 2019–present | Mark Goacher | Green |
| 2021–2024 | Steph Nissen | Labour |
| 2022–present | Richard Kirkby-Taylor | Green |
| 2024–present | Kemal Çufoglu | Green |

## Colchester council elections since 2016

There was a revision of ward boundaries in Colchester in 2016.

### 2024 election

The election took place on 2 May 2024.
2024 Colchester City Council election: Castle :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Green | Kemal Çufoğlu | 1,247 | 44.5 | –5.9 |
| | Labour | Steph Nissen | 826 | 29.4 | +11.4 |
| | Conservative | Ryan Smith | 523 | 18.6 | –5.4 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Martin Gillingham | 209 | 7.5 | –0.1 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 421 | 15.1 | –11.3 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,805 | 33.7 | +0.3 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 8,329 | | |
| | Green gain from Labour | Green gain from Labour | Swing | 8.7 | |

### 2023 election

The election took place on 5 May 2023.
2023 Colchester City Council election: Castle :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Green | Mark Goacher | 1,374 | 50.4 | +0.2 |
| | Conservative | Simon Crow | 655 | 24.0 | –4.1 |
| | Labour | Charlie Jasper | 492 | 18.0 | +5.3 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Martin Gillingham | 206 | 7.6 | –1.4 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 719 | 26.4 | +4.3 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,727 | 33.4 | –2.1 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 8,163 | | |
| | Green hold | Green hold | Swing | 2.2 | |

### 2022 election

The election took place on 6 May 2022.
2022 Colchester Borough Council election: Castle :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Green | Richard Kirkby-Taylor | 1,420 | 50.2 | +12.4 |
| | Conservative | Simon Crow | 794 | 28.1 | −4.4 |
| | Labour | Alan Short | 360 | 12.7 | −6.4 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Martin Gillingham | 254 | 9.0 | −1.6 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 626 | 22.1 | +16.8 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,828 | 35.5 | −1.6 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 7,977 | | |
| | Green gain from Conservative | Green gain from Conservative | Swing | 8.4 | |

### 2021 election

2021 Colchester Borough Council election: Castle :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Green | Steph Nissen | 1,136 | 37.8 | −18.1 |
| | Conservative | Fabian Green | 976 | 32.5 | +3.3 |
| | Labour | Richard Hill | 574 | 19.1 | +10.4 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Martin Gillingham | 319 | 10.6 | +4.3 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 160 | 5.3 | −21.4 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 3,005 | 37.1 | −3.4 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 8,109 | | |
| | Green gain from Liberal Democrats | Green gain from Liberal Democrats | Swing | 10.7 | |

### 2019 election

2019 Colchester Borough Council election: Castle :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Green | Mark Goacher | 1,724 | 55.9 | 25.6 |
| | Conservative | Darius Laws | 901 | 29.2 | 1.5 |
| | Labour | Victoria Weaver | 268 | 8.7 | 16.0 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Verity Wooley | 193 | 6.3 | 8.0 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 823 | 26.7 | — |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 3,111 | 40.5 | 0.7 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 7,674 | | |
| | Green gain from Conservative | Green gain from Conservative | Swing | 13.6 | |

### 2018 election

2018 Colchester Borough Council election: Castle :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Simon Crow | 931 | 30.7 | +2.2 |
| | Green | Mark Goacher | 920 | 30.3 | +4.3 |
| | Labour | Norma Dinnie-Weall | 750 | 24.7 | +8.6 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Jo Hayes | 434 | 14.3 | −15.1 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 11 | 0.4 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 3,035 | 39.6 | +2.4 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 7,655 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | -1.1 | |

## 2002–2016 Colchester council elections

There was a revision of ward boundaries in Colchester in 2002.
| Election | Political result | Candidate | Party | Votes | % | ±% |
| 2015 election Electorate: 7,615 Turnout: 4,642 (61.0%) +23.0 | Conservative gain from Liberal Democrats Majority: 496 (10.6%) N/A Swing: 6.2% from Lib Dem to Con | Darius Laws | Conservative | 1,667 | 35.9 | +11.8 |
| 2015 election Electorate: 7,615 Turnout: 4,642 (61.0%) +23.0 | Conservative gain from Liberal Democrats Majority: 496 (10.6%) N/A Swing: 6.2% from Lib Dem to Con | Owen Howell | Liberal Democrats | 1,172 | 25.2 | -0.5 |
| 2015 election Electorate: 7,615 Turnout: 4,642 (61.0%) +23.0 | Conservative gain from Liberal Democrats Majority: 496 (10.6%) N/A Swing: 6.2% from Lib Dem to Con | Andrew Canessa | Green | 982 | 21.2 | +4.0 |
| 2015 election Electorate: 7,615 Turnout: 4,642 (61.0%) +23.0 | Conservative gain from Liberal Democrats Majority: 496 (10.6%) N/A Swing: 6.2% from Lib Dem to Con | Andrew Murphy | Labour | 821 | 17.7 | -0.1 |
| 2014 election Turnout: 2,683 (38.0%) +8.0 | Liberal Democrats hold Majority: 46 (1.7%) -20.2 Swing: 10.4% from Lib Dem to Con | Bill Frame | Liberal Democrats | 693 | 25.8 | -14.6 |
| 2014 election Turnout: 2,683 (38.0%) +8.0 | Liberal Democrats hold Majority: 46 (1.7%) -20.2 Swing: 10.4% from Lib Dem to Con | Darius Laws | Conservative | 647 | 24.1 | +6.2 |
| 2014 election Turnout: 2,683 (38.0%) +8.0 | Liberal Democrats hold Majority: 46 (1.7%) -20.2 Swing: 10.4% from Lib Dem to Con | Ben Howard | Labour | 478 | 17.8 | +4.4 |
| 2014 election Turnout: 2,683 (38.0%) +8.0 | Liberal Democrats hold Majority: 46 (1.7%) -20.2 Swing: 10.4% from Lib Dem to Con | Peter Lynn | Green | 462 | 17.2 | -1.4 |
| 2014 election Turnout: 2,683 (38.0%) +8.0 | Liberal Democrats hold Majority: 46 (1.7%) -20.2 Swing: 10.4% from Lib Dem to Con | Ron Levy | UKIP | 403 | 15.0 | +5.3 |
| 2012 election Turnout: 2,129 (30.0%) -9.5 | Liberal Democrats hold Majority: 466 (21.9%) +7.6 Swing: 4.2% from Green to Lib Dem | Jo Hayes | Liberal Democrats | 861 | 40.4 | +0.3 |
| 2012 election Turnout: 2,129 (30.0%) -9.5 | Liberal Democrats hold Majority: 466 (21.9%) +7.6 Swing: 4.2% from Green to Lib Dem | Peter Lynn | Green | 395 | 18.6 | -7.1 |
| 2012 election Turnout: 2,129 (30.0%) -9.5 | Liberal Democrats hold Majority: 466 (21.9%) +7.6 Swing: 4.2% from Green to Lib Dem | Mohammed Rashid | Conservative | 382 | 17.9 | -3.1 |
| 2012 election Turnout: 2,129 (30.0%) -9.5 | Liberal Democrats hold Majority: 466 (21.9%) +7.6 Swing: 4.2% from Green to Lib Dem | Robert Fisher | Labour | 285 | 13.4 | +0.2 |
| 2012 election Turnout: 2,129 (30.0%) -9.5 | Liberal Democrats hold Majority: 466 (21.9%) +7.6 Swing: 4.2% from Green to Lib Dem | Ron Levy | UKIP | 206 | 9.7 | N/A |
| 2011 election Turnout: 2,779 (39.5%) -19.6 | Liberal Democrats hold Majority: 398 (14.3%) -1.3 Swing: 3.0% from Lib Dem to Green | Nick Barlow | Liberal Democrats | 1,113 | 40.1 | -1.7 |
| 2011 election Turnout: 2,779 (39.5%) -19.6 | Liberal Democrats hold Majority: 398 (14.3%) -1.3 Swing: 3.0% from Lib Dem to Green | Peter Lynn | Green | 715 | 25.7 | +4.2 |
| 2011 election Turnout: 2,779 (39.5%) -19.6 | Liberal Democrats hold Majority: 398 (14.3%) -1.3 Swing: 3.0% from Lib Dem to Green | Bruce Halling | Conservative | 583 | 21.0 | -5.2 |
| 2011 election Turnout: 2,779 (39.5%) -19.6 | Liberal Democrats hold Majority: 398 (14.3%) -1.3 Swing: 3.0% from Lib Dem to Green | Luke Dopson | Labour | 368 | 13.2 | +2.6 |
| 2010 election Turnout: 4,248 (59.1%) +21.0 | Liberal Democrats hold Majority: 662 (15.6%) +2.1 Swing: 6.0% from Lib Dem to Con | Bill Frame | Liberal Democrats | 1,774 | 41.8 | -3.4 |
| 2010 election Turnout: 4,248 (59.1%) +21.0 | Liberal Democrats hold Majority: 662 (15.6%) +2.1 Swing: 6.0% from Lib Dem to Con | Lucy Cramer | Conservative | 1,112 | 26.2 | +8.6 |
| 2010 election Turnout: 4,248 (59.1%) +21.0 | Liberal Democrats hold Majority: 662 (15.6%) +2.1 Swing: 6.0% from Lib Dem to Con | Peter Lynn | Green | 913 | 21.5 | -10.2 |
| 2010 election Turnout: 4,248 (59.1%) +21.0 | Liberal Democrats hold Majority: 662 (15.6%) +2.1 Swing: 6.0% from Lib Dem to Con | Adam Fox | Labour | 449 | 10.6 | +5.1 |
| 2008 election Turnout: 2,460 (38.1%) +0.7 | Liberal Democrats hold Majority: 332 (13.5%) +4.8 Swing: 2.2% from Green to Lib Dem | William Spyvee | Liberal Democrats | 1,111 | 45.2 | +4.2 |
| 2008 election Turnout: 2,460 (38.1%) +0.7 | Liberal Democrats hold Majority: 332 (13.5%) +4.8 Swing: 2.2% from Green to Lib Dem | Peter Lynn | Green | 779 | 31.7 | -0.6 |
| 2008 election Turnout: 2,460 (38.1%) +0.7 | Liberal Democrats hold Majority: 332 (13.5%) +4.8 Swing: 2.2% from Green to Lib Dem | Darius Laws | Conservative | 434 | 17.6 | -2.9 |
| 2008 election Turnout: 2,460 (38.1%) +0.7 | Liberal Democrats hold Majority: 332 (13.5%) +4.8 Swing: 2.2% from Green to Lib Dem | John Cooke | Labour | 136 | 5.5 | -0.7 |
| 2007 election Turnout: 2,291 (37.4%) +1.4 | Liberal Democrats hold Majority: 200 (8.7%) -17.3 Swing: 8.7% from Lib Dem to Green | Nick Barlow | Liberal Democrats | 940 | 41.0 | -7.7 |
| 2007 election Turnout: 2,291 (37.4%) +1.4 | Liberal Democrats hold Majority: 200 (8.7%) -17.3 Swing: 8.7% from Lib Dem to Green | Peter Lynn | Green | 740 | 32.3 | +9.7 |
| 2007 election Turnout: 2,291 (37.4%) +1.4 | Liberal Democrats hold Majority: 200 (8.7%) -17.3 Swing: 8.7% from Lib Dem to Green | Glenn Granger | Conservative | 469 | 20.5 | +2.4 |
| 2007 election Turnout: 2,291 (37.4%) +1.4 | Liberal Democrats hold Majority: 200 (8.7%) -17.3 Swing: 8.7% from Lib Dem to Green | Michael Powell | Labour | 142 | 6.2 | -1.9 |
| 2006 election Turnout: 2,306 (36.0%) +0.6 | Liberal Democrats hold Majority: 600 (26.0%) -4.2 Swing: 15.9% from Lib Dem to Green | Chris Hall | Liberal Democrats | 1,122 | 48.7 | -9.2 |
| 2006 election Turnout: 2,306 (36.0%) +0.6 | Liberal Democrats hold Majority: 600 (26.0%) -4.2 Swing: 15.9% from Lib Dem to Green | Peter Lynn | Green | 522 | 22.6 | N/A |
| 2006 election Turnout: 2,306 (36.0%) +0.6 | Liberal Democrats hold Majority: 600 (26.0%) -4.2 Swing: 15.9% from Lib Dem to Green | Benjamin Twitchen | Conservative | 418 | 18.1 | -9.6 |
| 2006 election Turnout: 2,306 (36.0%) +0.6 | Liberal Democrats hold Majority: 600 (26.0%) -4.2 Swing: 15.9% from Lib Dem to Green | Mark Warner | Labour | 187 | 8.1 | -6.4 |
| 2006 election Turnout: 2,306 (36.0%) +0.6 | Liberal Democrats hold Majority: 600 (26.0%) -4.2 Swing: 15.9% from Lib Dem to Green | Stephen Miller | Independent | 57 | 2.5 | N/A |
| 2004 election Turnout: 2,047 (35.4%) +6.8 | Liberal Democrats hold Majority: 619 (30.2%) +0.1 Swing: 0.1% from Con to Lib Dem | William Spyvee | Liberal Democrats | 1,185 | 57.9 | +3.5 |
| 2004 election Turnout: 2,047 (35.4%) +6.8 | Liberal Democrats hold Majority: 619 (30.2%) +0.1 Swing: 0.1% from Con to Lib Dem | Pauline Lucas | Conservative | 566 | 27.7 | +3.4 |
| 2004 election Turnout: 2,047 (35.4%) +6.8 | Liberal Democrats hold Majority: 619 (30.2%) +0.1 Swing: 0.1% from Con to Lib Dem | Malcolm Cannon | Labour | 296 | 14.5 | +1.8 |
| 2003 election Turnout: 1,660 (28.6%) -3.4 | Liberal Democrats hold Majority: 499 (30.1%) Swing: 1.3% from Lib Dem to Con | Kenneth Jones | Liberal Democrats | 903 | 54.4 | -2.0 |
| 2003 election Turnout: 1,660 (28.6%) -3.4 | Liberal Democrats hold Majority: 499 (30.1%) Swing: 1.3% from Lib Dem to Con | Pauline Lucas | Conservative | 404 | 24.3 | +4.8 |
| 2003 election Turnout: 1,660 (28.6%) -3.4 | Liberal Democrats hold Majority: 499 (30.1%) Swing: 1.3% from Lib Dem to Con | Malcolm Cannon | Labour | 210 | 12.7 | -1.4 |
| 2003 election Turnout: 1,660 (28.6%) -3.4 | Liberal Democrats hold Majority: 499 (30.1%) Swing: 1.3% from Lib Dem to Con | Walter Schwarz | Green | 132 | 8.0 | -2.0 |

## 1990–2002 Colchester council elections

There was a revision of ward boundaries in Colchester in 1990.
| Election | Political result | Candidate | Party | Votes | % | ±% |
| 2000 election Turnout: 31.0% (-1.0) | Liberal Democrats hold Majority: 263 (14.3%) -4.4 Swing: 3.8% from Lab to Lib Dem | William Spyvee | Liberal Democrats | 788 | 42.9 | -1.4 |
| 2000 election Turnout: 31.0% (-1.0) | Liberal Democrats hold Majority: 263 (14.3%) -4.4 Swing: 3.8% from Lab to Lib Dem | N. Stock | Conservative | 525 | 28.6 | +8.6 |
| 2000 election Turnout: 31.0% (-1.0) | Liberal Democrats hold Majority: 263 (14.3%) -4.4 Swing: 3.8% from Lab to Lib Dem | Kim Naish | Labour | 486 | 26.4 | -10.8 |
| 2000 election Turnout: 31.0% (-1.0) | Liberal Democrats hold Majority: 263 (14.3%) -4.4 Swing: 3.8% from Lab to Lib Dem | L. Basker | Natural Law | 39 | 2.1 | N/A |
| 1999 election Turnout: 32.2% | Liberal Democrats hold Majority: 8.9% Swing: 3.5% from Lib Dem to Lab | Kenneth Jones | Liberal Democrats | 834 | 44.3 | |
| 1999 election Turnout: 32.2% | Liberal Democrats hold Majority: 8.9% Swing: 3.5% from Lib Dem to Lab | J. Thomas | Labour | 666 | 35.4 | |
| 1999 election Turnout: 32.2% | Liberal Democrats hold Majority: 8.9% Swing: 3.5% from Lib Dem to Lab | M. Coyne | Conservative | 384 | 20.4 | |
| 1998 election Turnout: 34.0% | Liberal Democrats hold Majority: 15.8% Swing: 4.6% from Lab to Lib Dem | Chris Hall | Liberal Democrats | 907 | 44.5 | |
| 1998 election Turnout: 34.0% | Liberal Democrats hold Majority: 15.8% Swing: 4.6% from Lab to Lib Dem | Chris Pearson | Labour | 585 | 28.7 | |
| 1998 election Turnout: 34.0% | Liberal Democrats hold Majority: 15.8% Swing: 4.6% from Lab to Lib Dem | N. Stock | Conservative | 514 | 25.2 | |
| 1998 election Turnout: 34.0% | Liberal Democrats hold Majority: 15.8% Swing: 4.6% from Lab to Lib Dem | L. Basker | Natural Law | 32 | 1.6 | |
| 1996 election | Liberal Democrats hold Majority: 7.7% Swing: 4.2% from Lab to Lib Dem | William Spyvee | Liberal Democrats | unopposed | unopposed | unopposed |

## Polling districts

Electorate in brackets (as of 2015):
* AF: Castle (1,500)
* AE: Jumbo (1,201)
* AG: Riverside (2,247)
* AH: Cowdray Avenue (2,488)