North West Leicestershire District Council elections
# North West Leicestershire District Council elections

North West Leicestershire District Council elections are held every four years. North West Leicestershire District Council is the local authority for the non-metropolitan district of North West Leicestershire in Leicestershire, England. Since the last boundary changes in 2015, 38 councillors are elected from 38 wards.

## Political control

The first election to the council was held in 1973, initially operating as a shadow authority before coming into its powers on 1 April 1974. Since 1973 political control of the council has been held by the following parties:

| Party in control | Years |
| - | - |
| Labour | 1973–1976 |
| No overall control | 1976–1979 |
| Labour | 1979–1983 |
| No overall control | 1983–1991 |
| Labour | 1991–2007 |
| Conservative | 2007–2023 |
| No overall control | 2023–present |

Following the 2019 election, the council's composition is:

| 1 | 10 | 4 | 3 | 20 |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| G | Labour | LDem | Ind | Conservative |

### Leadership

The leaders of the council since 2003 have been:

| Councillor | Party | Party | From | To |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| Frank Straw | | Labour | pre-2003 | 6 May 2007 |
| Richard Blunt | | Conservative | 15 May 2007 | |

## Elections and results

| | Overall control | | Labour | | Conservative | | Lib Dem | | BNP | | Green | | Independent |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 2023 | NOC | 17 | 17 | 12 | 12 | 5 | 5 | - | - | - | - | 4 | 4 |
| 2019 | Conservative | 10 | 10 | 20 | 20 | 4 | 4 | - | - | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 |
| 2015 | Conservative | 10 | 10 | 25 | 25 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Ward boundary changes ||||||||||||||
| 2011 | Conservative | 16 | 16 | 21 | 21 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2007 | Conservative | 5 | 5 | 27 | 27 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | - | - | 1 | 1 |
| 2003 | Labour | 20 | 20 | 12 | 12 | 4 | 4 | - | - | - | - | 2 | 2 |
| Ward boundary changes; seats reduced from 40 to 38 ||||||||||||||
| 1999 | Labour | 31 | 31 | 8 | 8 | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | - | 1 | 1 |
| 1995 | Labour | 35 | 35 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | - | 2 | 2 |
| 1991 | Labour | 26 | 26 | 13 | 13 | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | - | 1 | 1 |
| Ward boundary changes ||||||||||||||
| 1987 | NOC | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Ward boundary changes ||||||||||||||
| 1983 | NOC | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Ward boundary changes; number of seats changed ||||||||||||||
| 1979 | Labour | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1976 | NOC | 19 | 19 | 13 | 13 | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | - | 10 | 10 |
| 1973 | Labour | 25 | 25 | 8 | 8 | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | - | 10 | 10 |

A dash indicates that the results for a particular election are not available, or that a party did not stand in an election.

### District result maps

* 2003 results map
* 2007 results map
* 2011 results map

## Ward details

Below is a summary of each ward in the District of North West Leicestershire. For each ward, a brief description is given along with a table showing its electoral history. In two or three member wards, the swings shown are based upon the average votes received by all candidates from a party.

### Appleby

The Appleby ward covers several small, rural villages in the far south of the District. It has been represented by Richard Blunt since 2003; Blunt has also been the Leader of the Council since 2007. Like several of the District's geographically large rural wards, it is a safe seat for the Conservatives; it was, however, held by Labour for one term after their landslide victory in 1995.

| Election | Party | Councillor | Margin | Swing |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| 2011 | Conservative | Richard Blunt | 28.9% | 24.3% from Con to Ind |
| 2007 | Conservative | Richard Blunt | 55.0% | 5.2% from Lab to Con |
| 2003 | Conservative | Edward Blunt | 44.6% | |
| 1995 | Labour | J. Lewis | 20.0% | |

### Ashby Castle

The Ashby Castle ward is one of three wards that cover the Ashby-de-la-Zouch area. It has been represented by John Coxon since 2003. Geographically, it is the smallest of Ashby's wards and contains the 15th century Ashby Castle from which the ward takes its name. It is a very safe seat for the Conservatives who have consistently achieved a majority of between 40% and 50%, however, in 1995 they came in third place behind a Labour candidate and a victorious Independent.

| Election | Party | Councillor | Margin | Swing |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| 2011 | Conservative | John Coxon | 43.0% | 3.0% from Con to Lab |
| 2007 | Conservative | John Coxon | 49.0% | 1.4% from Lab to Con |
| 2003 | Conservative | John Coxon | 46.2% | |
| 1995 | Independent | G. Orme | 13.5% | |

### Ashby Holywell

Another of Ashby-de-la-Zouch's three wards, the Ashby Holywell ward elects two councillors. It has been represented by two Conservatives, Roger Bayliss and Graham Allman, since 2003. This ward leans toward the Conservatives although it has been held by Labour in the past and saw a pro-Labour swing at the last election

| Election | Party | First Councillor | Party | Second Councillor | Swing |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 2011 | Conservative | Roger Bayliss | Conservative | Graham Allman | 1.7% from Con to Lab |
| 2007 | Conservative | Roger Bayliss | Conservative | Graham Allman | 4.4% from Lab to Con |
| 2003 | Conservative | Roger Bayliss | Labour | Gordon Tacey | |
| 1995 | Labour | L. Whetton | Labour | J. Fisher | |

### Ashby Ivanhoe

The Ashby Ivanhoe ward is the last of Ashby-de-la-Zouch's three wards; it also elects two councillors. It has been represented by two Conservatives, James Hoult and Geraint Jones, since 2007. Ivanhoe is a key marginal ward between Labour and the Conservatives. It could be considered to be a bellwether ward because it has returned two councillors for the victorious party at every election.

| Election | Party | First Councillor | Party | Second Councillor | Swing |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 2011 | Conservative | James Hoult | Conservative | Geraint Jones | 2.5% from Con to Lab |
| 2007 | Conservative | James Hoult | Conservative | Geraint Jones | 8.0% from Lab to Con |
| 2003 | Labour | David Whetton | Labour | Sean Sheahan | |
| 1995 | Labour | B. Mitchell | Labour | J. Roberts | |

### Bardon

The Bardon ward is situated in the greater Coalville area and contains the headquarters of Bardon Aggregates as well as a large quarry managed by the company. It has been represented by Michael Specht since 2011. It has been consecutively held by the Conservatives since its creation in 2003, however, it is now a three-way marginal after the Conservatives, the Lib Dems and Labour received 33.4%, 31.2% and 27.6% respectively at the last election.

| Election | Party | Party | Councillor | Margin | Swing |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 2011 | | Conservative | Michael Specht | 2.2% | 18.5% from Con to Lib Dem |
| 2007 | | Conservative | Ted Purver | 32.1% | 4.4% from Lab to Con |
| 2003 | | Conservative | Ted Purver | 23.4% | |
| 1995 | Ward did not exist | Ward did not exist | Ward did not exist | Ward did not exist | Ward did not exist |

### Ibstock and Heather

The Ibstock and Heather ward covers the village of Ibstock, which is situated approximately 2.5 miles south of Coalville, and the small village of Heather (pronounced HEE-ther); it elects three councillors. It has been represented by two Labour councillors and one Conservative since 2011. Three by-elections* have taken place in this ward since 2008; the first two of which, both in 2008, were narrowly won by Labour and the Conservatives respectively, despite a strong challenge from the BNP; the third was fairly comfortably won by Labour despite a good result for the Liberal Democrats. This ward has generally favoured Labour but has also elected Conservatives more recently.

| Election | Party | First Councillor | Party | Second Councillor | Party | Third Councillor | Swing |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 2012* | Labour | Dave De Lacy | | | | | 8.9% from Con to Lab |
| 2011 | Labour | Stacy Harris | Labour | Janet Ruff | Conservative | Virge Richichi | 0.5% from Con to Lab |
| 2008* | | | | | Conservative | Virge Richichi | 21.2% from Con to BNP |
| 2008* | Labour | Felix Fenning | | | | | 18.3% from Lab to BNP |
| 2007 | Labour | Dai Male | Conservative | Craig Bowley | Conservative | Ted Blunt | 7.1% from Lab to Con |
| 2003 | Labour | Dai Male | Labour | Felix Fenning | Labour | Alison Harrop | |
| 1995 | Labour | Dai Male | Labour | D. Costello | Labour | A. Smith | |

### Thringstone

The Thringstone ward covers the northwestern portion of Coalville and was formed after boundary changes in 2003. It has been represented by two Labour councillors since its creation. Thringstone is the safest Labour seat in the District as it is the only ward which has always returned Labour councillors; its predecessor, Holly Hayes, was also a very safe Labour seat.

| Election | Party | Party | First Councillor | Party | Party | Second Councillor | Swing |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 2011 | | Labour | Leon Spence | | Labour | Dave Everitt | 4.0% from Con to Lab |
| 2007 | | Labour | Pam Clayfield | | Labour | Dave Everitt | 12.2% from Lab to Con |
| 2003 | | Labour | Pam Clayfield | | Labour | Roderick Evans | |
| 1995 | Ward did not exist | Ward did not exist | Ward did not exist | Ward did not exist | Ward did not exist | Ward did not exist | Ward did not exist |

## By-elections

### Overview

| By-election | Date | Incumbent party | Result |
| - | - | - | - |
| Holly Hayes | 19 August 1999 | Labour | Labour |
| Ibstock and Heather | 10 January 2008 | Labour | Labour |
| Ibstock and Heather | 18 December 2008 | Conservative | Conservative |
| Ibstock and Heather | 16 February 2012 | Labour | Labour |
| Measham South | 4 February 2016 | Labour | Labour |
| Ibstock East | 6 May 2021 | Labour | Conservative |
| Worthington and Breedon | 6 May 2021 | Conservative | Conservative |

### 2019 - 2023

Ibstock East By-Election, 6 May 2021 :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Conservative | Jenny Simmons | 355 | 57.8 | +25.6 |
| | Labour | Carissma Griffiths | 164 | 26.7 | -15.1 |
| | Liberal Democrats | David Wyatt | 54 | 8.8 | +8.8 |
| | Green | Liz Fletcher | 41 | 6.7 | +6.7 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 191 | 31.1 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 614 | | |
| | Conservative gain from Labour | Conservative gain from Labour | Swing | | |

Worthington and Breedon By-Election, 6 May 2021 :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Conservative | Raymond Morris | 696 | 69.7 | +3.2 |
| | Labour | Gregory Parle | 139 | 13.9 | -3.9 |
| | Green | Gareth Shilton | 104 | 10.4 | +10.4 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Paul Tyler | 60 | 6.0 | -9.7 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 557 | 55.8 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 999 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |

### 2015 - 2019

Measham South By-Election, 4 February 2016 :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Labour | Sean Sheahan | 257 | 42.8 | -12.3 |
| | Conservative | Annette Bridge | 202 | 33.7 | −11.2 |
| | UKIP | Martin Green | 141 | 23.5 | +23.5 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 55 | 9.2 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 600 | | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | | |

### 2011 - 2015

Ibstock and Heather By-Election, 16 February 2012 :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Labour | Dave De Lacy | 480 | 34.5 | +4.5 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Kim Wyatt | 372 | 26.7 | +12.5 |
| | Conservative | Russell Boam | 357 | 25.6 | −13.3 |
| | Independent | Ivan Hammonds | 125 | 9.0 | −7.8 |
| | Green | Sue Morrell | 32 | 2.3 | N/A |
| | UKIP | Jakob Whiten | 26 | 1.9 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 108 | 7.8 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,392 | 24.9 | −24.4 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | +8.9 | |

### 2007 - 2011

Ibstock and Heather By-Election, 18 December 2008 :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Conservative | Virge Richichi | 660 | 31.5 | −11.5 |
| | BNP | Ivan Hammonds | 645 | 30.8 | N/A |
| | Labour | Corinne Male | 614 | 29.4 | −9.8 |
| | Liberal Democrats | David Wyatt | 174 | 8.3 | −1.0 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 15 | 0.7 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,093 | 37.4 | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | −21.2 | |

Ibstock and Heather By-Election, 10 January 2008 :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Labour | Felix Fenning | 699 | 30.9 | −8.3 |
| | BNP | Ivan Hammonds | 637 | 28.2 | N/A |
| | Conservative | Paul Oakden | 515 | 22.8 | −20.2 |
| | Liberal Democrats | David Wyatt | 411 | 18.2 | +8.9 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 62 | 2.7 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,262 | 40.4 | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | −18.3 | |

### 1999 - 2003

Holly Hayes By-Election, 19 August 1999 :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Labour | | 459 | 44.5 | −5.1 |
| | Liberal Democrats | | 410 | 39.7 | +17.1 |
| | Independent | | 88 | 8.5 | −3.1 |
| | Conservative | | 75 | 7.3 | −8.8 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 49 | 4.8 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,032 | | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | | |
