# Kursaal (ward)

Kursaal is an electoral ward of Southend-on-Sea. It was first used at the 2001 elections. The ward returns three councillors to Southend-on-Sea City Council.

## List of councillors

| Term | Councillor | Party |
| 2001–20102011–2019 | Judith Mcmahon | Labour |
| 2001–20102011–2019 | Judith Mcmahon | Conservative |
| 2001–2011 | Stephen George | Labour |
| 2001–2008 | Denis Garne | Labour |
| 2008–2012 | Blaine Robin | Conservative |
| 2010–2014 | Louise Burdett | Conservative |
| 2012–2016 | Ann Jones | Labour |
| 2014–2018 | Lawrence Davies | UKIP |
| 2016–2021 | Helen Mcdonald | Labour |
| 2018–present | Matt Dent | Labour |
| 2019–2023 | Maggie Kelly | Labour |
| 2021–2024 | Tricia Cowdrey | Labour |
| 2023–2024 | Gabriel Leroy | Labour |
| 2024–present | Irene Ferguson | Labour |
| 2024–present | Chris Webster | Labour |

## Summary

Councillors elected by party at each regular election.
* Labour
* Conservative
* UKIP

## Southend-on-Sea council elections

There was a revision of ward boundaries in Southend-on-Sea in 2001 with all seats up for election that year. The subsequent election cycle for the first Kursaal seat was 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022. The cycle for the second seat was 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019 and 2023. The cycle for the third seat was 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016, 2021 and 2024.

### 2024 by-election

The by-election took place on 4 July 2024, following the resignation of Gabriel Leroy.
2024 Kursaal by-election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Chris Webster | 1,718 | 49.1 | –1.9 |
| | Conservative | Marco Mann | 651 | 18.6 | +4.3 |
| | Green | Thomas Love | 411 | 11.7 | +4.0 |
| | Independent | Kay Mitchell | 407 | 11.6 | +0.8 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Billy Boulton | 198 | 5.7 | +2.2 |
| | Heritage | Lara Hurley | 115 | 3.3 | +0.2 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,067 | 30.5 | –6.2 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 3,500 | 44.8 | +24.0 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | 3.1 | |

### 2024 election

The election took place on 2 May 2024.
2024 Southend-on-Sea City Council election: Kursaal :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Irene Ferguson | 846 | 51.0 | –3.9 |
| | Conservative | Marco Mann | 237 | 14.3 | –7.2 |
| | Independent | Kay Mitchell | 179 | 10.8 | N/A |
| | Confelicity | Lee Clark | 155 | 9.3 | +3.7 |
| | Green | Thomas Love | 128 | 7.7 | –0.6 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Alan Crystall | 58 | 3.5 | –1.5 |
| | Heritage | Lara Hurley | 51 | 3.1 | +0.9 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 609 | 36.7 | +3.3 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,660 | 20.8 | +0.3 |
| | Labour gain from Independent | Labour gain from Independent | Swing | 1.7 | |

### 2023 election

The election took place on 4 May 2023.
2023 Southend-on-Sea City Council election: Kursaal :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour Co-op | Gabriel Leroy | 886 | 54.9 | –7.7 |
| | Conservative | Andrew Brookes | 348 | 21.5 | –1.8 |
| | Green | Thomas Love | 134 | 8.3 | +1.8 |
| | Confelicity | Lee Clark | 90 | 5.6 | +1.6 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Rory Windass | 80 | 5.0 | +1.4 |
| | British Democrats | Stephen Smith | 42 | 2.6 | N/A |
| | Heritage | Lara Hurley | 35 | 2.2 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 538 | 33.4 | –5.9 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,621 | 20.5 | |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 7,907 | | |
| | Labour Co-op hold | Labour Co-op hold | Swing | 3.0 | |

### 2022 election

The election took place on 4 May 2022.
2022 Southend-on-Sea Borough Council election: Kursaal :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour Co-op | Matt Dent | 1,105 | 62.6 | +15.2 |
| | Conservative | Denis Garne | 411 | 23.3 | −12.1 |
| | Green | Thomas Love | 114 | 6.5 | −6.0 |
| | Confelicity | James Miller | 70 | 4.0 | N/A |
| | Liberal Democrats | Robert Howes | 64 | 3.6 | −1.0 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 694 | 39.3 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,764 | | |
| | Labour Co-op hold | Labour Co-op hold | Swing | 13.7 | |

### 2021 election

The election took place on 6 May 2021.
2021 Southend-on-Sea Borough Council election: Kursaal :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Tricia Cowdrey | 926 | 47.4 | 12.4 |
| | Conservative | Judith Mcmahon | 692 | 35.4 | 21.2 |
| | Green | Thomas Love | 245 | 12.5 | 6.9 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Phil Edey | 90 | 4.6 | 12.6 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 234 | 12.0 | 3.6 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,953 | 24.6 | 0.4 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | 4.4 | |

### 2019 election

The election took place on 2 May 2019.
2019 Southend-on-Sea Borough Council election: Kursaal :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Maggie Kelly | 693 | 35.0 | 16.9 |
| | Green | Simon Cross | 384 | 19.4 | N/A |
| | Liberal Democrats | Howard Gibeon | 341 | 17.2 | 6.3 |
| | Conservative | Brian Beggs | 282 | 14.2 | 10.5 |
| | Independent | Anthony Dillon | 279 | 14.1 | New |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 309 | 15.6 | 11.6 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,979 | 25.0 | 0.6 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | 3.2 | |

### 2018 election

The election took place on 3 May 2018.
2018 Southend-on-Sea Borough Council election: Kursaal :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Matt Dent | 1,008 | 51.9 | 9.8 |
| | Conservative | Dave Clift | 479 | 24.7 | 2.2 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Howard Gibeon | 456 | 23.5 | 19.0 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 529 | 27.2 | 7.6 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,943 | 24.4 | 2.6 |
| | Labour gain from UKIP | Labour gain from UKIP | Swing | 3.8 | |
No UKIP (-19.0) or Green (-8.4) candidates as previous.

### 2016 election

The election took place on 5 May 2016.
2016 Southend-on-Sea Borough Council election: Kursaal :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Helen McDonald | 709 | 42.1 | 5.6 |
| | UKIP | Gordon Bailey-Smith | 379 | 22.5 | 1.5 |
| | Conservative | Simon Gittus | 378 | 22.5 | 2.9 |
| | Green | Liz Swanson | 141 | 8.4 | 1.2 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Richard Collins | 75 | 4.5 | 0.1 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 330 | 19.6 | 8.5 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,682 | 21.7 | 26.6 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | 4.3 | |

### 2015 election

The election took place on 7 May 2015.
2015 Southend-on-Sea Borough Council election: Kursaal :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Judith Mcmahon | 1,367 | 36.5 | 5.0 |
| | Conservative | Alex Bright | 951 | 25.4 | 4.9 |
| | UKIP | Verina Weaver | 898 | 24.0 | 9.5 |
| | Green | Simon Cross | 358 | 9.6 | 0.3 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Richard Betson | 171 | 4.6 | 0.6 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 416 | 11.1 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 3,745 | 48.3 | 25.2 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | 0.1 | |

### 2014 election

The election took place on 22 May 2014.
2014 Southend-on-Sea Borough Council election: Kursaal :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | UKIP | Lawrence Davies | 612 | 33.5 | New |
| | Labour | Charles Willis | 576 | 31.5 | 7.3 |
| | Conservative | Jane Ladner | 375 | 20.5 | 10.9 |
| | Green | Simon Cross | 170 | 9.3 | 1.3 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Richard Betson | 95 | 5.2 | 0.2 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 36 | 2.0 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,828 | 23.1 | 1.8 |
| | UKIP gain from Conservative | UKIP gain from Conservative | Swing | | |
No English Democrat candidate as previous (-16.9).

### 2012 election

The election took place on 3 May 2012.
2012 Southend-on-Sea Borough Council election: Kursaal :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Anne Jones | 614 | 38.8 | 5.7 |
| | Conservative | Blaine Robin | 496 | 31.4 | 0.1 |
| | English Democrat | Stephen Riley | 267 | 16.9 | New |
| | Green | Simon Cross | 126 | 8.0 | New |
| | Liberal Democrats | Richard Betson | 79 | 5.0 | 3.0 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 118 | 7.4 | 5.8 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,582 | 21.3 | 8.2 |
| | Labour gain from Conservative | Labour gain from Conservative | Swing | 2.9 | |

### 2011 election

The election took place on 5 May 2011.
2011 Southend-on-Sea Borough Council election: Kursaal :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Judith Mcmahon | 969 | 44.5 | 15.4 |
| | Conservative | Neil Austin | 681 | 31.3 | 1.5 |
| | UKIP | Lawrence Davies | 182 | 8.4 | 3.5 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Richard Betson | 174 | 8.0 | 9.1 |
| | Independent | Joseph Saunders | 172 | 7.9 | 3.2 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 288 | 13.2 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,178 | 29.5 | 17.4 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | 7.0 | |
No BNP (-6.5) Independent (-11.1) or English Democrat (-1.6) candidates as previous

### 2010 election

The election took place on 6 May 2010.
2010 Southend-on-Sea Borough Council election: Kursaal :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Louise Burdett | 1,067 | 29.8 | 8.6 |
| | Labour | Judith Mcmahon | 1,043 | 29.1 | 9.0 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Richard Betson | 613 | 17.1 | 6.3 |
| | Independent | Kash Trivedi | 399 | 11.1 | New |
| | BNP | David Armstrong | 232 | 6.5 | 6.2 |
| | UKIP | Lawrence Davies | 174 | 4.9 | New |
| | English Democrat | Adrian Key | 57 | 1.6 | New |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 24 | 0.7 | 0.4 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 3,585 | 46.9 | 19.1 |
| | Conservative gain from Labour | Conservative gain from Labour | Swing | 0.2 | |

### 2008 election

The election took place on 1 May 2008.
2008 Southend-on-Sea Borough Council election: Kursaal :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Blaine Robin | 747 | 38.4 | 8.4 |
| | Labour | Denis Garne | 741 | 38.1 | 1.8 |
| | BNP | David Armstrong | 246 | 12.7 | 2.6 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Howard Gibeon | 210 | 10.8 | 4.0 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 6 | 0.3 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,944 | 27.8 | 2.9 |
| | Conservative gain from Labour | Conservative gain from Labour | Swing | 5.1 | |

### 2007 election

The election took place on 3 May 2007.
2007 Southend-on-Sea Borough Council election: Kursaal :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Stephen George | 715 | 39.9 | 4.6 |
| | Conservative | Blaine Robin | 538 | 30.0 | 1.6 |
| | BNP | Dean Fenner | 276 | 15.4 | 5.8 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Matthew Cartwright | 264 | 14.8 | 0.3 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 177 | 9.9 | 3.0 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,793 | 24.9 | 2.9 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | 1.5 | |

### 2006 election

The election took place on 4 May 2006.
2006 Southend-on-Sea Borough Council election: Kursaal :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Judith Mcmahon | 650 | 35.3 | 0.8 |
| | Conservative | Blaine Robin | 522 | 28.4 | 5.8 |
| | BNP | Dean Fenner | 391 | 21.2 | New |
| | Liberal Democrats | Jennifer Wexham | 278 | 15.1 | 3.9 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 128 | 6.9 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,841 | 27.8 | 3.3 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | 1.0 | |

### 2004 election

The election took place on 10 June 2004.
2004 Southend-on-Sea Borough Council election: Kursaal :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Denis Garne | 627 | 34.5 | 17.0 |
| | Conservative | Tony Cox | 623 | 34.2 | 3.6 |
| | English Democrat | Adrian Key | 225 | 12.4 | New |
| | Liberal Democrats | Robert Howes | 203 | 11.2 | 6.7 |
| | Green | Paul Circus | 142 | 7.8 | New |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 4 | 0.2 | 20.7 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,820 | 26.8 | 8.3 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | 10.3 | |

### 2003 election

The election took place on 1 May 2003.
2003 Southend-on-Sea Borough Council election: Kursaal :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Stephen George | 644 | 51.5 | 1.8 |
| | Conservative | Judith Smithson | 383 | 30.6 | 4.5 |
| | Liberal Democrats | George Lewin | 203 | 17.9 | 2.7 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 261 | 20.9 | 6.3 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,230 | 18.5 | 0.4 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | 3.2 | |

### 2002 election

The election took place on 2 May 2002.
2002 Southend-on-Sea Borough Council election: Kursaal :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Judith Mcmahon | 648 | 49.7 | N/A |
| | Conservative | Judith Smithson | 458 | 35.1 | N/A |
| | Liberal Democrats | Linda Smith | 199 | 15.2 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 190 | 14.6 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,305 | 18.9 | N/A |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | | |

### 2001 election

The election took place on 7 June 2001.
2001 Southend-on-Sea Borough Council election: Kursaal :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Denis Garne | 1,349 | | |
| | Labour | Stephen George | 1,303 | | |
| | Labour | Judith McMahon | 1,295 | | |
| | Conservative | Graham John | 958 | | |
| | Conservative | Leslie Judd | 860 | | |
| | Conservative | Judith Smithson | 838 | | |
| | Liberal Democrats | Rose Day | 435 | | |
| | Liberal Democrats | Christine Read | 421 | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 7,460 | 42.2 | |
| | Labour win (new seat) | Labour win (new seat) | Labour win (new seat) | Labour win (new seat) | Labour win (new seat) |
| | Labour win (new seat) | Labour win (new seat) | Labour win (new seat) | Labour win (new seat) | Labour win (new seat) |
| | Labour win (new seat) | Labour win (new seat) | Labour win (new seat) | Labour win (new seat) | Labour win (new seat) |