# 1979 Braintree District Council election

The 1979 Braintree District Council election took place on 3 May 1979 to elect members of Braintree District Council in England. This was on the same day as the 1979 UK general election and other local elections across the United Kingdom.
At the election, the Conservatives lost control of the council to no overall control despite remaining the largest party.

## Summary
### Election result

1979 Braintree District Council election :
| Party | Seats | Gains | Losses | Net gain/loss | Seats % | Votes % | Votes | +/− |
| Conservative | 28 | 1 | 2 | 11 | 48.3 | 46.5 | 54,148 | –1.5 |
| Labour | 17 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 29.3 | 36.5 | 42,436 | +2.5 |
| Independent | 7 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 12.1 | 5.2 | 6,068 | –3.8 |
| Liberal | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 5.2 | 8.5 | 9,855 | +2.3 |
| Residents | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3.4 | 2.4 | 2,797 | ±0.0 |
| Ind. Conservative | 1 | 0 | 0 | | 1.7 | 0.4 | 408 | N/A |
| Independent Liberal | 0 | 0 | 0 | | 0.0 | 0.4 | 484 | +0.2 |
| Communist | 0 | 0 | 0 | | 0.0 | 0.1 | 173 | –0.1 |

## Ward results
### Black Notley

Black Notley :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | E. Mills | 821 | 75.3 | +1.1 |
| | Labour | D. Beardwell | 270 | 24.7 | –1.1 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 551 | 50.5 | +2.0 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,091 | 75.8 | +32.8 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 1,412 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | 1.1 | |

### Bocking North

Bocking North :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | A. Millam | 1,569 | 49.7 |
| | Labour | J. Hall | 1,514 | 48.0 |
| | Conservative | E. Davis | 1,470 | 46.6 |
| | Labour | C. Sheret | 1,441 | 45.7 |
| | Conservative | B. Steel | 1,428 | 45.3 |
| | Conservative | S. Brown | 1,407 | 44.6 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 3,155 | 75.0 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 4,207 | |
| | 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) |
| | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) |

### Bocking South

Bocking South :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | G. Warne | 1,753 | 53.8 |
| | Labour | A. Mackenzie | 1,568 | 48.1 |
| | Labour | R. Watson | 1,548 | 47.5 |
| | Conservative | A. Comfort | 1,456 | 44.7 |
| | Conservative | R. Perkin | 1,408 | 43.2 |
| | Conservative | T. Adcock | 1,396 | 42.8 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 3,260 | 75.1 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 4,341 | |
| | 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) |

### Braintree Central

Braintree Central :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | G. Warren | 1,683 | 53.4 |
| | Labour | J. Perks | 1,594 | 50.6 |
| | Labour | M. Shirvington | 1,560 | 49.5 |
| | Conservative | B. Britten | 1,363 | 43.2 |
| | Conservative | D. Sayers | 1,338 | 42.4 |
| | Conservative | J. Moll | 1,277 | 40.5 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 3,152 | 73.9 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 4,265 | |
| | 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) |

### Braintree East

Braintree East :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | P. Gilthorpe | 1,399 | 40.3 |
| | Conservative | J. Amies | 1,331 | 38.3 |
| | Conservative | A. Plumb | 1,310 | 37.7 |
| | Labour | M. Oliver | 1,097 | 31.6 |
| | Labour | C. Oliver | 1,079 | 31.1 |
| | Labour | P. Woollard | 1,004 | 28.9 |
| | Liberal | R. Allen | 875 | 25.2 |
| | Liberal | K. Webb | 820 | 23.6 |
| | Liberal | I. Hamlin | 814 | 23.5 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 3,471 | 76.0 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 4,567 | |
| | 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) |

### Braintree West

Braintree West :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Liberal | J. Ross | 1,881 | 51.0 |
| | Liberal | J. Bryan | 1,654 | 44.8 |
| | Conservative | S. Harper | 1,482 | 40.2 |
| | Liberal | P. Farnell | 1,460 | 39.6 |
| | Conservative | H. Everitt | 1,350 | 36.6 |
| | Conservative | C. Murcott | 1,254 | 34.0 |
| | Labour | M. Gore | 563 | 15.3 |
| | Labour | D. Green | 487 | 13.2 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 3,689 | 79.7 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 4,629 | |
| | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | 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) |

### Bumpstead

Bumpstead :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | S. Drapkin | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 1,276 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold |

### Castle Headingham

Castle Headingham :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | P. Schwier | 592 | 54.6 | +9.2 |
| | Labour | J. Lynch | 493 | 45.4 | +8.7 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 99 | 9.1 | +0.4 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,085 | 79.6 | +13.8 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 1,334 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | 0.3 | |
No Independent Liberal candidate as previous (17.9%).

### Coggeshall

Coggeshall :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Independent | W. Drake | 1,554 | 52.4 | +18.5 |
| | Conservative | D. Bellamy | 1,438 | 48.5 | +2.3 |
| | Conservative | D. McMillan | 1,397 | 47.1 | –1.5 |
| | Conservative | H. Portway | 1,132 | 38.2 | N/A |
| | Liberal | D. Sibley | 897 | 30.3 | –1.1 |
| | Labour | A. McCracken | 827 | 27.9 | +1.1 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,963 | 79.5 | +31.5 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 3,727 | | |
| | Independent hold | Independent hold | Independent hold | Independent hold | Independent hold |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold |

### Colne Engaine & Greenstead Green

Colne Engaine & Greenstead Green :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Ind. Conservative | G. Courtauld | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 1,314 | | |
| | Ind. Conservative hold | Ind. Conservative hold | Ind. Conservative hold | Ind. Conservative hold | Ind. Conservative hold |

### Cressing

Cressing :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | J. Chapman | 357 | 38.2 | N/A |
| | Conservative | E. Yockney | 336 | 36.0 | –13.9 |
| | Independent | A. Allen | 241 | 25.8 | –2.6 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 21 | 2.2 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 934 | 76.6 | +30.5 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 1,212 | | |
| | Liberal gain from Conservative | Liberal gain from Conservative | Swing | N/A | |
No Labour candidate as previous (21.7%).

### Earls Colne

Earls Colne :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Independent | C. Holmes | 995 | 54.8 | N/A |
| | Independent | P. Taylor | 628 | 34.6 | –15.9 |
| | Independent Liberal | R. Bird | 484 | 26.7 | N/A |
| | Conservative | T. Allsopp | 425 | 23.4 | N/A |
| | Conservative | M. Long | 408 | 22.5 | N/A |
| | Labour | M. Jarrett | 316 | 17.4 | N/A |
| | Labour | R. Turp | 298 | 16.4 | –6.9 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,816 | 79.7 | +22.4 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 2,278 | | |
| | Independent hold | Independent hold | Independent hold | Independent hold | Independent hold |
| | Independent hold | Independent hold | Independent hold | Independent hold | Independent hold |

### Gosfield

Gosfield :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Independent | D. Marlow | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 1,060 | | |
| | Independent hold | Independent hold | Independent hold | Independent hold | Independent hold |

### Halstead Holy Trinity

Halstead Holy Trinity :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Residents | E. McDowell | 1,548 | 54.9 | N/A |
| | Labour | R. Mayes | 1,423 | 50.5 | +8.1 |
| | Labour | N. Bugbee | 1,209 | 42.9 | +11.2 |
| | Labour | M. Finken | 1,023 | 36.3 | –2.3 |
| | Conservative | C. Covell | 1,018 | 36.1 | –1.0 |
| | Conservative | D. Thompson | 921 | 32.7 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,819 | 78.4 | –26.1 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 3,596 | | |
| | Residents gain from Conservative | Residents gain from Conservative | Residents gain from Conservative | Residents gain from Conservative | Residents gain from Conservative |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Labour hold | Labour hold | Labour hold |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Labour hold | Labour hold | Labour hold |

### Halstead St. Andrew's

Halstead St. Andrew's :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Residents | M. Gage | 1,249 | 51.3 | +20.9 |
| | Conservative | O. Joyce | 1,150 | 47.2 | +13.8 |
| | Conservative | J. Mitchell | 727 | 29.9 | –1.1 |
| | Labour | K. Jones | 677 | 27.8 | +11.5 |
| | Labour | J. Atherton | 592 | 24.3 | +8.2 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,434 | 77.2 | +22.2 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 3,153 | | |
| | Residents hold | Residents hold | Residents hold | Residents hold | Residents hold |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold |

### Hatfield Peverel

Hatfield Peverel :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | C. Leicester | 1,467 | 64.6 | +9.5 |
| | Conservative | D. Claydon | 1,404 | 61.8 | +9.2 |
| | Labour | O. Deane | 713 | 31.4 | +11.8 |
| | Labour | J. Brooke | 670 | 29.5 | +13.3 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,272 | 77.0 | +22.2 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 2,950 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold |
No Independent candidate as previous (38.9%).

### Kelvedon

Kelvedon :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | M. Edwards | 1,233 | 51.3 | +10.4 |
| | Conservative | E. Clarke | 1,171 | 48.7 | +19.7 |
| | Independent | J. De Denne Yule | 1,083 | 45.0 | +5.7 |
| | Conservative | S. Gibbs | 861 | 35.8 | +8.2 |
| | Labour | B. Sherratt | 707 | 29.4 | +9.6 |
| | Labour | D. Rogers | 693 | 28.8 | +9.6 |
| | Labour | R. Sherratt | 690 | 28.7 | N/A |
| | Ind. Conservative | P. Crowe | 408 | 17.0 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,405 | 80.3 | +24.8 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 2,995 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold |
| | Conservative gain from Independent | Conservative gain from Independent | Conservative gain from Independent | Conservative gain from Independent | Conservative gain from Independent |
| | Independent hold | Independent hold | Independent hold | Independent hold | Independent hold |
No Independent (Andrews, Kentish) candidates as previous (54.6%, 36.0%).

### Panfield

Panfield :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | R. Chandler | 735 | 74.8 | +15.5 |
| | Labour | B. Burden | 247 | 25.2 | –15.5 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 488 | 49.7 | +31.1 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 982 | 82.0 | +22.3 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 1,205 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | 15.5 | |

### Rayne

Rayne :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | C. Crossman | 1,017 | 74.2 | +8.8 |
| | Labour | E. Hall | 353 | 25.8 | +11.2 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 664 | 48.5 | +3.1 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,370 | 79.4 | +26.3 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 1,707 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | 1.2 | |
No Liberal candidate as previous (20.0%).

### Sible Headingham

Sible Headingham :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Independent | G. Tanner | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| | Conservative | H. Hall | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 2,430 | | |
| | Independent hold | Independent hold | Independent hold | Independent hold | Independent hold |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold |

### Stour Valley Central

Stour Valley Central :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | K. Nott | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 1,161 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold |

### Stour Valley North

Stour Valley North :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | C. Basham | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 1,095 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold |

### Stour Valley South

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | R. Clark | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 1,457 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold |

### Terling

Terling :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | G. Isted | 720 | 73.8 | –4.2 |
| | Labour | J. Ness | 255 | 26.2 | +4.2 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 465 | 47.7 | –8.3 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 975 | 76.7 | +36.2 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 1,243 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | 4.2 | |

### Three Fields

Three Fields :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | R. Hawkins | 1,183 | 57.6 | –5.8 |
| | Conservative | D. Platt | 951 | 46.3 | –11.4 |
| | Independent | J. Finbow | 825 | 40.1 | N/A |
| | Labour | J. Dyson | 627 | 30.5 | –9.9 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,055 | 79.0 | +19.0 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 2,601 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold |

### Upper Colne

Upper Colne :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | D. Johnson | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 1,262 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold |

### Witham Central

Witham Central :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Independent | H. Pitchforth | 742 | 59.3 |
| | Conservative | J. Mills | 371 | 29.7 |
| | Labour | L. Randall | 138 | 11.0 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 371 | 29.7 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,251 | 75.8 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 1,569 | |
| | Independent win (new seat) | Independent win (new seat) | Independent win (new seat) | Independent win (new seat) |

### Witham Chipping Hill

Witham Chipping Hill :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | A. Slowman | 1,091 | 51.8 |
| | Conservative | K. Richards | 1,007 | 47.8 |
| | Labour | D. Sabin | 891 | 42.3 |
| | Conservative | J. Dowding | 870 | 41.3 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,107 | 77.5 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 2,719 | |
| | Labour win (new seat) | Labour win (new seat) | Labour win (new seat) | Labour win (new seat) |
| | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) |

### Witham North

Witham North :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | C. Edwards | 1,402 | 51.7 |
| | Labour | B. Boshell | 1,335 | 49.2 |
| | Labour | M. Fraser | 1,290 | 47.5 |
| | Conservative | A. Ager | 1,183 | 43.6 |
| | Conservative | T. Sheppard | 1,150 | 42.4 |
| | Conservative | D. Williams | 1,056 | 38.9 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,713 | 76.0 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 3,570 | |
| | 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) |

### Witham Silver End & Rivenhall

Witham Silver End & Rivenhall :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | J. Evans | 1,168 | 54.6 |
| | Labour | J. Lyon | 1,153 | 53.9 |
| | Conservative | P. Cutmore | 979 | 45.8 |
| | Conservative | P. Digby | 864 | 40.4 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,139 | 80.6 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 2,654 | |
| | 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) |

### Witham South

Witham South :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | J. Cooke | 1,170 | 39.6 |
| | Labour | K. Boylan | 1,140 | 38.6 |
| | Labour | B. Boshell | 1,123 | 38.0 |
| | Conservative | B. Smith | 1,109 | 37.5 |
| | Liberal | D. Bigg | 603 | 20.4 |
| | Liberal | A. Bigg | 494 | 16.7 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,957 | 75.9 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 3,896 | |
| | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) |
| | Labour win (new seat) | Labour win (new seat) | Labour win (new seat) | Labour win (new seat) |

### Witham West

Witham West :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | M. Lager | 1,000 | 55.5 |
| | Conservative | P. Gibbs | 999 | 55.5 |
| | Labour | R. Green | 757 | 42.0 |
| | Communist | F. Brown | 173 | 9.6 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,801 | 74.4 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 2,421 | |
| | 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) |

### Yeldham

Yeldham :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | J. Yeldham | 614 | 60.3 | N/A |
| | Labour | T. Newton | 405 | 39.7 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 209 | 20.5 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,019 | 80.9 | N/A |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 1,249 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | N/A | |