# Thanet District Council elections

Thanet District Council elections are held every four years to elect Thanet District Council in Kent, England. Since the last boundary changes in 2003 the council has comprised 56 councillors representing 23 wards.

## Council elections

* Thanet District Council election, 1973
* Thanet District Council election, 1976
* Thanet District Council election, 1979 (New ward boundaries)
* Thanet District Council election, 1983
* Thanet District Council election, 1987
* Thanet District Council election, 1991
* Thanet District Council election, 1995
* Thanet District Council election, 1999
* Thanet District Council election, 2003 (New ward boundaries increased the number of seats by 2)
* Thanet District Council election, 2007
* 2011 Thanet District Council election
* 2015 Thanet District Council election
* 2019 Thanet District Council election
* 2023 Thanet District Council election

### May 2023 election results

* The Labour Party became the largest party on the council, winning the council from no overall control.

### May 2019 election results

* The Conservative Party became the largest party on the council, with the incumbent UK Independence Party losing every seat.
* The council fell into no overall control.

### May 2015 election results

* The UK Independence Party won control of the council with 33 seats. The Conservative Party won 18 seats, the Labour Party won 4 seats, and one Independent was elected.
* Five UKIP councillors defected to a Democratic Independent Group over September and October 2015 over allegations that the leader of the council prevented the reopening of Manston Airport. This led to UKIP losing a majority on the council. On 5 November, it was reported that a Councillor had defected from UKIP to the Conservatives. In January 2016 UKIP remain the largest group but now with 26 members; there are 19 Conservatives, 5 Democratic Independent Group councillors, 5 Labour and 1 Independent councillor.
* UKIP regained control of the council in 2016, after some independents rejoined the party and following a by-election gain by UKIP from Labour.
* On 21 July 2017, a UKIP councillor defected to the Conservatives, meaning UKIP lost its majority on the council.

### May 2011 election results

* Overall turnout: 42%
* The council went to no overall control, the Conservative Party leading a minority administration with 27 seats, the Labour Party taking 26 seats and the Independents 3 seats.
* A Conservative councillor defected to the Independents in December 2011, subsequently the Labour Party led a minority administration.

### May 2007 election results

* Overall turnout: 35%.
* The Conservative Party held control of Thanet District Council with 33 seats, the Labour Party took 19 seats. There were 3 independents and 1 candidate from Ramsgate First also elected.
* The Ramsgate First candidate defected to the Conservatives shortly after the election.

### May 2003 election results

* Overall turnout: 33%
* The Conservative Party won control of Thanet District Council with a total of 31 seats, the Labour Party taking 23 seats. One Liberal Democrat candidate and one Independent candidate were elected.
* After the 30 October 2003 by-election the composition was: Conservative Party 30 seats, Labour Party 24 seats.

### May 1999 election results

* Overall turnout: 28.9%
* Labour maintained control of Thanet District Council with a total of 35 seats, the Conservatives recovered to 16 seats, the Liberal Democrat candidates were wiped out and 3 Independent candidate were elected.

### May 1995 election results

* Overall turnout: 40.2%
* The Labour Party won control of Thanet District Council with a total of 45 seats, the Conservatives were reduced to 3 seats and 4 Liberal Democrat candidates and 2 Independent candidate were elected.

### May 1991 election results

* Overall turnout: 41.5%
* The Conservative Party retook control of Thanet District Council with a total of 29 seats, the Labour Party taking 14 seats, 2 Liberal Democrat candidate and 9 Independent candidate were elected.

### May 1987 election results

* Overall turnout: 44.8%
* The Conservative Party lost enough seats to lose the council to No Overall Control (NOC). Conservatives had 25 seats, the Labour Party took 7 seats, 10 Liberal/SDP and 12 Independent candidates were elected.

### May 1983 election results

* Overall turnout: 44.1%
* The Conservative Party lost seats but continued in control of Thanet District Council with a total of 28 seats, the Labour Party took 8 seats, 2 Liberal/SDP candidate and 16 Independent candidates elected.

### May 1979 election results

* Overall turnout: 71.1% (the election coincided with the General Election.
* The Conservative Party continued to control the Council with a total of 32 seats, the Labour Party reduced to 5 seats, one Liberal candidate and 16 Independent candidates were elected.

### May 1976 election results

* Overall turnout: 47.7%
* The Conservative Party kept control of Thanet District Council with a total of 39 seats, the Labour Party taking 11 seats and 13 Independent candidate were elected.

### May 1973 election results

* The council was created from Margate Municipal Borough, Ramsgate Municipal Borough, Broadstairs & St Peters Urban District and parts of Eatry Rural District.
* Overall turnout: 44.2%
* The Conservative Party won control of Thanet District Council with a total of 33 seats, the Labour Party taking 14 seats, Liberals 5 seats, and there was eleven Independent candidates elected.

## County result maps

* 2003 results map
* 2007 results map
* 2011 results map
* 2015 results map
* 2019 results map
* 2023 results map

## By-election results
### 1995–1999

Northdown Park By-Election 20 March 1997 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | | 548 | 43.2 |
| | Conservative | | 338 | 26.6 |
| | Independent | | 187 | 14.7 |
| | Thanet Socialists | | 133 | 10.4 |
| | Liberal Democrats | | 62 | 4.9 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 210 | 16.6 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,268 | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | |
Pier By-Election 1 October 1998 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | | 164 | 51.3 | −14.6 |
| | Conservative | | 137 | 42.8 | +27.2 |
| | Liberal Democrats | | 19 | 5.9 | +0.8 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 27 | 8.5 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 320 | 15.2 | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | -20.9 | |

### 1999–2003

Margate West By-Election 18 November 1999 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | | 565 | 72.9 | +34.1 |
| | Labour | | 210 | 27.1 | −10.0 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 355 | 45.8 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 775 | 15.5 | |
| | Conservative gain from Labour | Conservative gain from Labour | Swing | +22.1 | |
Central Westcliffe By-Election 22 June 2000 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | | 858 | 68.9 | +68.9 |
| | Labour | | 388 | 31.1 | −20.4 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 470 | 37.8 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,246 | 23.1 | |
| | Conservative gain from Labour | Conservative gain from Labour | Swing | +44.7 | |
Cliftonville By-Election 22 February 2001 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | | 1,026 | 60.4 | −0.5 |
| | Labour | | 544 | 32.0 | −7.1 |
| | Independent | | 130 | 7.6 | +7.6 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 482 | 28.4 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,700 | 27.4 | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | +3.3 | |

### 2003–2007

Margate Central By-Election 30 October 2003 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | John Watkins | 370 | 41.0 | −4.8 |
| | Conservative | Ramesh Chhabra | 201 | 22.3 | −23.2 |
| | BNP | Robert Parker | 172 | 19.1 | +19.1 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Guy Voizey | 85 | 9.4 | +9.4 |
| | UKIP | Timothy Stocks | 37 | 4.1 | +4.1 |
| | Socialist Alliance | Karen Cardwell | 19 | 2.1 | +2.1 |
| | Independent | Francis Foy | 18 | 2.0 | −10.7 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 169 | 18.7 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 902 | 25.9 | |
| | Labour gain from Conservative | Labour gain from Conservative | Swing | +9.2 | |
Sir Moses Montefiore By-Election 15 July 2004 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Alan Poole | 378 | 33.2 | −13.3 |
| | Conservative | Robert Burgess | 342 | 30.1 | −6.1 |
| | UKIP | Michael Taylor | 288 | 25.3 | +25.3 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Vincent Knight | 130 | 11.4 | −5.9 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 36 | 3.1 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,138 | 31.1 | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | +3.6 | |

### 2007–2011

Thanet Villages By-Election 4 June 2009 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Independent | Bob Grove | 937 | 47.3 | +4.0 |
| | Conservative | Peter Landi | 596 | 30.1 | −6.5 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Louisa Latham | 316 | 15.9 | +15.9 |
| | Labour | Rebecca Scobie | 133 | 6.7 | −13.4 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 341 | 17.2 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,982 | 41.0 | |
| | Independent hold | Independent hold | Swing | +5.3 | |
Dane Valley By-Election 3 December 2009 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Sandra Hart | 318 | 34.2 | −3.9 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Bill Furness | 260 | 28.0 | +28.0 |
| | Conservative | Ingrid Spencer | 222 | 23.9 | −19.7 |
| | Independent | Wendy Allan | 130 | 14.0 | −4.4 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 58 | 6.2 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 930 | 17.0 | |
| | Labour gain from Conservative | Labour gain from Conservative | Swing | | |

### 2015-2019

Newington by-election 21 January 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Karen Constantine | 288 | 37.7 | +1.3 |
| | UKIP | Duncan Smithson | 229 | 30.0 | −14.2 |
| | Conservative | Adam Dark | 156 | 20.4 | +0.5 |
| | Independent | Alan Hodder | 49 | 6.4 | +6.4 |
| | Green | Ian Driver | 20 | 2.6 | +2.6 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Jordan Williams | 12 | 1.6 | +1.6 |
| | Independent | Grahame Birchall | 10 | 1.3 | +1.3 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 59 | 7.7 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 764 | | |
| | Labour gain from UKIP | Labour gain from UKIP | Swing | | |
Newington by-election 30 June 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | UKIP | Roy Potts | 295 | 40.2 | −4.0 |
| | Labour | David Green | 281 | 38.3 | +1.9 |
| | Conservative | Adam Dark | 125 | 17.0 | −2.5 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Matthew Brown | 33 | 4.5 | +4.5 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 14 | 1.9 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 734 | | |
| | UKIP hold | UKIP hold | Swing | | |
Northwood by-election 18 August 2016 (2 seats) :
| Party | Candidate | Votes |
| UKIP | Lynda Piper | 488 |
| UKIP | George Rusiecki | 394 |
| Labour | Helen CrittendenKaz Peet | 356 |
| Labour | Kaz Peet | 325 |
| Conservative | Charlie Leys | 282 |
| Conservative | Marc Rattigan | 246 |
| Independent | Colin Grostate | 136 |
| Liberal Democrats | Jordan Williams | 64 |
| Liberal Democrats | John Finnegan | 48 |
| Party for a United Thanet | Grahame Birchall | 44 |
| UKIP hold | UKIP hold | Swing |
| UKIP hold | UKIP hold | Swing |
Margate Central by-election 3 August 2017 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Ian Venables | 454 | 57.5 | +23.7 |
| | Conservative | Reece Pugh | 190 | 24.1 | +3.6 |
| | UKIP | Liz Plewis | 52 | 6.6 | −25.2 |
| | Liberal Democrats | John Finnegan | 33 | 4.2 | +4.2 |
| | No description | Dean McCastree | 24 | 3.0 | +3.0 |
| | Green | Bernard Kirkham | 23 | 2.9 | −8.6 |
| | Independent | Pip Rees | 13 | 1.6 | +1.6 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 264 | 33.4 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 790 | 21.3 | |
| | Labour gain from UKIP | Labour gain from UKIP | Swing | | |
Thanet Villages by-election 11 January 2018 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Reece Pugh | 620 | 49.3 | +23.4 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Angie Curwen | 313 | 24.9 | +24.9 |
| | Labour | Pauline Farrance | 206 | 16.4 | +5.9 |
| | Green | Natasha Ransom | 66 | 5.3 | −6.9 |
| | Independent | Sonia Smyth | 52 | 4.1 | +4.1 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 307 | 24.4 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,257 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |
Birchington South by-election 26 July 2018 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Linda Wright | 651 | 63.0 | +35.4 |
| | Labour | Helen Whitehead | 265 | 25.7 | +12.5 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Hannah Lloyd-Bowyer | 117 | 11.3 | +5.7 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 386 | 37.4 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,033 | | |
| | Conservative gain from UKIP | Conservative gain from UKIP | Swing | | |

### 2019-2023

Cliffsend and Pegwell by-election 13 February 2020 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Marc Rattigan | 516 | 50.8 | +14.1 |
| | Green | Charlotte Barton | 290 | 28.5 | +10.4 |
| | Labour | David Green | 109 | 10.7 | −4.4 |
| | Independent | Grahame Birchall | 101 | 9.9 | −5.8 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 226 | 22.2 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,016 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |
Central Harbour by-election 6 May 2021 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Green | Tricia Austin | 776 | 41.1 | +11.3 |
| | Labour | David Green | 631 | 33.4 | −2.0 |
| | Conservative | John Davis | 480 | 25.4 | +11.9 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 145 | 7.7 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,887 | | |
| | Green gain from Labour | Green gain from Labour | Swing | | |
Dane Valley by-election 6 May 2021 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | David Wallin | 491 | 39.4 | +15.7 |
| | Labour | Martin Boyd | 461 | 37.0 | +11.4 |
| | Thanet Ind. | Mark Websper | 294 | 23.6 | +11.3 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 30 | 2.4 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,246 | | |
| | Conservative gain from Thanet Ind. | Conservative gain from Thanet Ind. | Swing | | |
Newington by-election 6 May 2021 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Trevor Shonk | 265 | 37.2 | +14.0 |
| | Labour | Mary King | 260 | 36.5 | −14.4 |
| | Green | Katie Gerrard | 144 | 20.2 | −5.6 |
| | Independent | Grahame Birchall | 43 | 6.0 | +6.0 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 5 | 0.7 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 712 | | |
| | Conservative gain from Labour | Conservative gain from Labour | Swing | | |
Cliftonville East by-election 22 July 2021 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Charlie Leys | 723 | 74.5 | +14.8 |
| | Labour | Don Challinger | 211 | 21.7 | −1.0 |
| | Women's Equality | Kanndiss Riley | 37 | 3.8 | −13.8 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 512 | 52.7 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 971 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |
Thanet Villages by-election 11 November 2021 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Green | Abi Smith | 638 | 60.0 | +36.8 |
| | Conservative | Guy Wilson | 358 | 33.7 | +9.0 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Jeremy de Rose | 67 | 6.3 | −15.7 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 280 | 26.3 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,063 | | |
| | Green hold | Green hold | Swing | | |
Nethercourt by-election 24 March 2022 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Anne-Marie Nixey | 505 | 55.5 | +16.8 |
| | Conservative | John Davis | 230 | 25.3 | −1.7 |
| | Thanet Ind. | Claire Tilbrook | 175 | 19.2 | +19.2 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 275 | 30.2 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 910 | | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | | |