# 1983 Bracknell District Council election

The 1983 Bracknell District Council election took place on 5 May 1983, to elect all 40 members in 19 wards for Bracknell Forest Borough Council in England. The election was held on the same day as other local elections as part of the 1983 United Kingdom local elections. The Conservative Party won a third term in office, securing an electoral wipeout of the opposition parties by winning all 40 seats, a feat it would repeat in 1987.
The local Labour Party was riven by internal disputes, cultivated since the last election by the national split and the creation of the Social Democratic Party. In late 1981, Labour group leader Jack Delbridge and other Labour local luminaries, including former council leader Bill Lindop, defected to the SDP, claiming left-wing militants controlled the local Labour party and the relationship was untenable. Of the 10 Labour councillors elected in 1979, 6 would stand for election under the SDP–Liberal Alliance banner, 3 would not stand for re-election, while only Denis Tunnicliffe stood again, leading the rump Labour group - symbolic of the split was his wife standing for the Alliance in Great Hollands South.

## Summary

Votes for the SDP–Liberal Alliance are compared against the Liberal Party in 1979.
1983 Bracknell District Council election :
| Party | Seats | Gains | Losses | Net gain/loss | Seats % | Votes % | Votes |
| Conservative | 40 | 13 | 0 | 13 | 100.0 | 51.3 | 14,494 |
| Alliance | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 24.4 | 6,909 |
| Labour | 0 | 0 | 10 | 10 | 0.0 | 22.9 | 6,466 |
| Independent | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0.0 | 1.4 | 407 |

## Ward results

An asterisk (*) denotes an incumbent councillor standing for re-election.
Votes for the SDP–Liberal Alliance are compared against the Liberal Party in 1979.

### Ascot

Ascot (3) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Benwell D.* | 1,034 | 59.8 | −40.2 |
| | Conservative | Dauncey M. | 938 | | |
| | Conservative | Jackson R.* | 936 | | |
| | Alliance | Glynn J. | 508 | 29.4 | New |
| | Alliance | Harrison R. | 419 | | |
| | Alliance | Rennie-Fielding J. Ms. | 419 | | |
| | Labour | Porter M. | 188 | 10.9 | New |
| | Labour | Williams R. | 184 | | |
| | Labour | Bayle M. Ms. | 176 | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | | 42.7 | N/A |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 4,050 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |
| | Conservative gain from Independent | Conservative gain from Independent | Swing | | |

### Binfield

Binfield (2) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Edwards J. Ms. | 705 | 63.4 | +12.1 |
| | Conservative | Taylor G. | 663 | | |
| | Alliance | Biddlecombe M. | 273 | 24.6 | −5.0 |
| | Alliance | Sabberton R. | 187 | | |
| | Labour | Harman J. | 134 | 12.1 | −7.1 |
| | Labour | Glasson E. | 127 | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | | 49.5 | −33.7 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 2,246 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |

### Bullbrook

Bullbrook (3) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Coombs M. Ms.* | 1,086 | 45.8 | −10.1 |
| | Conservative | Blake L. | 1,051 | | |
| | Conservative | Strong P. Ms.* | 1,037 | | |
| | Labour | Cook H. | 700 | 29.5 | −14.6 |
| | Labour | Newbury J. | 621 | | |
| | Alliance | Hanson R. | 585 | 24.7 | New |
| | Alliance | Moignard M. Ms. | 582 | | |
| | Labour | Wilson D. | 581 | | |
| | Alliance | Lees N. | 550 | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | | 43.5 | −26.3 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 5,445 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |

### College Town

College Town (2) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Arnold A. | 587 | 49.8 | +8.5 |
| | Conservative | Simonds R. | 506 | | |
| | Alliance | Routledge M. | 345 | 29.3 | New |
| | Alliance | Watts M. | 341 | | |
| | Labour | Wood R. | 247 | 20.9 | +1.2 |
| | Labour | Urquhart C. | 175 | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | | 54.3 | |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 2,172 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |
| | Conservative gain from Independent | Conservative gain from Independent | Swing | | |

### Cranbourne

Cranbourne :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Ballin M. Ms. | 334 | 68.2 | New |
| | Independent | Smart R. | 112 | 22.9 | New |
| | Labour | Foord M. | 44 | 9.0 | New |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | | 43.8 | N/A |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 1,118 | | |
| | Conservative gain from Independent | Conservative gain from Independent | Swing | | |

### Crowthorne

Crowthorne (3) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Finnie J.* | 1,060 | 59.9 | −8.3 |
| | Conservative | Cheney A.* | 916 | | |
| | Conservative | Richardson R. | 913 | | |
| | Alliance | Seaman D. | 535 | 30.2 | New |
| | Alliance | Lancashire A. | 520 | | |
| | Alliance | Murray A. | 486 | | |
| | Labour | Vertigen G. | 174 | 9.8 | −22.0 |
| | Labour | King S. | 167 | | |
| | Labour | Wheaton T. | 149 | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | | 49.2 | −6.1 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 3,595 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |

### Garth

Garth (2) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Aspey F. | 680 | 42.6 | −3.5 |
| | Conservative | Sturman C. | 606 | | |
| | Labour | Palmer J. Ms. | 512 | 32.1 | −21.8 |
| | Labour | Loneragan D. | 450 | | |
| | Alliance | Lindop W. | 403 | 25.3 | New |
| | Alliance | Pocknee J. | 381 | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | | 52.3 | −22.8 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 3,052 | | |
| | Conservative gain from Labour | Conservative gain from Labour | Swing | | |
| | Conservative gain from Labour | Conservative gain from Labour | Swing | | |

### Great Hollands North

Great Hollands North (2) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Bouchard J. Ms. | 635 | 42.5 | +9.7 |
| | Conservative | Cumming C. | 617 | | |
| | Labour | Chapman P. Ms. | 560 | 37.5 | −7.6 |
| | Labour | Lomax V. Ms. | 491 | | |
| | Alliance | Campbell-Grant I. | 300 | 20.1 | −2.0 |
| | Alliance | Jones E. Ms. | 293 | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | | 44.7 | −34.3 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 3,346 | | |
| | Conservative gain from Labour | Conservative gain from Labour | Swing | | |
| | Conservative gain from Labour | Conservative gain from Labour | Swing | | |

### Great Hollands South

Great Hollands South (2) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | McCracken I. | 727 | 54.2 | +6.1 |
| | Conservative | Angell R. | 719 | | |
| | Labour | Jamison N. | 310 | 23.1 | −9.9 |
| | Alliance | Biggs K. Ms. | 305 | 22.7 | +3.8 |
| | Labour | Sanderson B. | 303 | | |
| | Alliance | Tunnicliffe S. Ms. | 296 | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | | 46.5 | −29.9 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 2,884 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |

### Hanworth

Hanworth (3) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Elford D.* | 1,416 | 48.9 | +6.5 |
| | Conservative | Percy R. | 1,401 | | |
| | Conservative | Wallace M. | 1,338 | | |
| | Labour | Grayson H. | 893 | 30.8 | −5.6 |
| | Labour | Tunnicliffe D. | 834 | | |
| | Labour | Ozanne P. | 797 | | |
| | Alliance | Balfour A. | 587 | 20.3 | −0.9 |
| | Alliance | Gee L. | 561 | | |
| | Alliance | Miles M. | 556 | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | | 47.9 | −29.8 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 6,049 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |

### Harmanswater

Harmanswater (3) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Ainscough T.* | 1,308 | 49.2 | −1.9 |
| | Conservative | Mills T. | 1,285 | | |
| | Conservative | Teesdale G. Ms. | 1,257 | | |
| | Labour | Munn M. Ms. | 778 | 29.2 | −2.4 |
| | Labour | Scorer A. | 749 | | |
| | Labour | Williams A. Ms. | 742 | | |
| | Alliance | Hughes W. | 575 | 21.6 | +4.3 |
| | Alliance | White P. | 537 | | |
| | Alliance | Spencer J. | 530 | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | | 44.2 | −33.6 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 6,014 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |

### Little Sandhurst

Little Sandhurst (2) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Cohen H.* | 779 | 58.1 | −11.1 |
| | Conservative | Marsden J. | 775 | | |
| | Alliance | Lyne H. | 368 | 27.4 | New |
| | Alliance | Hewitt H. | 315 | | |
| | Labour | Wood J. Ms. | 194 | 14.5 | −16.3 |
| | Labour | Goddard R. | 190 | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | | 46.4 | −30.5 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 2,890 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |

### Old Bracknell

Old Bracknell (3) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Fox P. | 842 | 44.5 | +11.0 |
| | Conservative | Cavill D. | 841 | | |
| | Conservative | Egan J. | 819 | | |
| | Labour | Newbury C. | 613 | 32.4 | −12.3 |
| | Labour | Ryan V. Ms. | 608 | | |
| | Labour | Warwick S. Ms. | 586 | | |
| | Alliance | Maxwell D. | 439 | 23.2 | +1.4 |
| | Alliance | McCartan H. | 388 | | |
| | Alliance | Carson C. | 378 | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | | 38.0 | −40.0 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 4,981 | | |
| | Conservative gain from Labour | Conservative gain from Labour | Swing | | |
| | Conservative gain from Labour | Conservative gain from Labour | Swing | | |
| | Conservative gain from Labour | Conservative gain from Labour | Swing | | |

### Owlsmoor

Owlsmoor :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Thomas R. | 674 | 51.7 | −48.3 |
| | Alliance | Nicholson J. | 527 | 40.4 | New |
| | Labour | Draper R. | 103 | 7.9 | New |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | | 58.1 | |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 2,246 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |

### Priestwood

Priestwood (2) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Furniss A. | 483 | 36.2 | −3.4 |
| | Conservative | Shean J. | 461 | | |
| | Labour | Drukker M. | 457 | 34.3 | −26.1 |
| | Labour | Tarry A. | 421 | | |
| | Alliance | Mountjoy T.* | 394 | 29.5 | New |
| | Alliance | Cain F.* | 376 | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | | 43.8 | −31.3 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 3,046 | | |
| | Conservative gain from Labour | Conservative gain from Labour | Swing | | |
| | Conservative gain from Labour | Conservative gain from Labour | Swing | | |

### Sandhurst

Sandhurst (2) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Ward A. | 665 | 48.5 | −12.1 |
| | Conservative | Brookes C.* | 600 | | |
| | Alliance | Murray L. Ms. | 310 | 22.6 | New |
| | Independent | Allum G. | 295 | 21.5 | New |
| | Alliance | Duerden M. | 258 | | |
| | Labour | Crew R. | 101 | 7.4 | −32.0 |
| | Labour | Brierley A. | 95 | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | | 53.4 | −24.4 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 2,567 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |

### St. Marys

St. Marys :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Warren J.* | 426 | 85.9 | −14.1 |
| | Labour | Wheaton A. Ms. | 70 | 14.1 | New |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | | 46.4 | N/A |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 1,068 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |

### Warfield

Warfield :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Kay J. Ms.* | 455 | 69.3 | −3.8 |
| | Alliance | Thompson I. | 115 | 17.5 | New |
| | Labour | Murnane J. | 87 | 13.2 | −13.7 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | | 46.4 | −23.6 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 1,415 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |

### Wildridings

Wildridings (2) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Mattick J.* | 598 | 48.3 | −2.6 |
| | Conservative | Wreglesworth N. | 548 | | |
| | Alliance | Mullarky P. | 340 | 27.4 | New |
| | Alliance | Cole C. Ms. | 328 | | |
| | Labour | Hignell W. | 301 | 24.3 | −24.8 |
| | Labour | Onyewu A. | 258 | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | | 53.0 | −23.4 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 2,338 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |
| | Conservative gain from Labour | Conservative gain from Labour | Swing | | |

## Footnotes

* 1 2 Cain and Mountjoy were elected as Labour Party candidates in 1979.