Swale Council - Wards and Councillors

District council · South East · 47 seats in 24 wards · All seats elected every four years · Next election 6 May 2027

Labour run Swale Council as a minority administration. The council has 47 councillors in 24 wards. Seats by party: Labour 15, Other 10, Conservative 10, Lib Dem 5, Reform 4, Green 2, Restore Britain 1. The next election is on 6 May 2027.

A government plan to replace the councils in this area with four unitary councils was paused for review on 7 September 2026. Elections due in May 2027 will go ahead on existing council boundaries. Source

Control

Seats by party

Labour (Minority)

47 seats - 24 for a majority

Reform 4Labour 15Conservative 10Lib Dem 5Green 2Restore Britain 1Other 10

Seat changes since the 4 May 2023 election Reform +4 Restore Britain +1 Green −1 Conservative −2 Other −2

Vote share at the 4 May 2023 election (47 seats, all wards)

ShareSeats won

Other26.9%12

Conservative25.6%12

Labour23.0%15

Lib Dem13.0%5

Green9.9%3

Reform1.6%0

Next election

6 May 2027

all 47 seats up, then every four years

Largest party

Labour 15

9 short of the 24 needed for a majority

Closest result

Kemsley

Labour won the last seat by 1 vote over Conservative, 4 May 2023

Latest by-election

Milton Regis

Reform gain from Labour, 19 December 2024 (5 since 2021)

Constituencies

2 overlap

2024Now

Voted Leave in 2016

62%

GB 52%

Wards

Who holds each ward

LabourConservativeLib DemReformGreenOther

Coloured by the party holding most of the ward's seats today; where seats are split evenly, by the party with the higher share at the last election.

All 24 wards

Councillors and last results

Select a ward for its full results, candidates and last by-election.

Ward and councillors	Last election
Abbey Hannah Perkin, Charles Gibson	4 May 2023 Lib Dem 60.9% lead 40.1 pts
Bobbing, Iwade and Lower Halstow Lloyd Chapman, Roger Clark	4 May 2023 Swale Independents 26.5% lead 0.9 pts
Borden and Grove Park Mike Baldock, Ann Cavanagh	4 May 2023 Swale Independents 62.9% lead 37.0 pts
Boughton and Courtenay Rich Lehmann, Alastair Gould	4 May 2023 Green 59.3% lead 38.6 pts
Chalkwell Charlie Miller	4 May 2023 Labour 55.3% lead 23.2 pts
East Downs Terry Thompson	4 May 2023 Green 45.9% lead 3.7 pts
Hartlip, Newington and Upchurch Chris Palmer, Richard Palmer	4 May 2023 Swale Independents 54.4% lead 24.8 pts
Homewood Shelley Cheesman, Simon Clark	4 May 2023 Labour 30.9% lead 7.0 pts
Kemsley Ashley Wise, Derek Carnell	4 May 2023 Swale Independents 33.4% lead 8.3 pts
Milton Regis Kieran Mishchuk, Tony Winckless	4 May 2023 Labour 58.0% lead 31.9 pts
Minster Cliffs Peter MacDonald, Tom Nundy, Andy Booth	4 May 2023 Swale Independents 26.1% lead 3.7 pts
Murston Carrie Pollard, Mark Last	4 May 2023 Swale Independents 40.6% lead 13.4 pts
Priory Alex Eyre	4 May 2023 Lib Dem 54.6% lead 30.5 pts
Queenborough and Halfway Peter Marchington, Ashley Shiel, Mike Whiting	4 May 2023 Labour 35.3% lead 1.0 pts
Roman Tim Gibson, Karen Watson	4 May 2023 Labour 52.0% lead 28.1 pts
Sheerness Dolley Wooster, Angela Harrison, Hayden Brawn	4 May 2023 Labour 42.6% lead 19.5 pts
Sheppey Central Mark Tucker, Elliott Jayes, Pete Neal	4 May 2023 Swale Independents 32.8% lead 15.9 pts
Sheppey East Lee-Anne Moore, Tara Noe	4 May 2023 Conservative 26.3% lead 9.2 pts
St Ann's Carole Jackson, Kieran Golding	4 May 2023 Labour 47.4% lead 22.3 pts
Teynham and Lynsted Julien Speed, Lloyd Bowen	4 May 2023 Conservative 43.7% lead 14.8 pts
The Meads James Hunt	4 May 2023 Conservative 68.2% lead 36.4 pts
Watling Ben Martin, Claire Martin	4 May 2023 Lib Dem 46.9% lead 23.9 pts
West Downs Monique Bonney	4 May 2023 Independent 75.3% lead 57.5 pts
Woodstock Paul Stephen, Sarah Stephen	4 May 2023 Swale Independents 47.6% lead 14.1 pts

Abbey

Charles Gibson Lib DemHannah Perkin Lib Dem

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023 (2 seats)

Lib Dem60.9%

Labour20.8%

Conservative18.3%

Candidate	Party	Votes
Hannah Perkin Elected	Lib Dem	918
Chris Williams Elected	Lib Dem	807
Trevor Payne	Labour	314
Jay Brown	Conservative	276
Frances Rehal	Labour	261
Melanie Jane Regan-Brown	Conservative	244

Party shares count each party's leading candidate.

Last by-election, 14 December 2023

Lib Dem44.8%

Green17.8%

Labour17.7%

Conservative15.9%

Reform3.7%

Candidate	Party	Votes	Share
Charles Alexander Gibson Elected	Lib Dem	435	44.8%
Carol Ann Goatham	Green	173	17.8%
Rob Crayford	Labour	172	17.7%
Andy Culham	Conservative	154	15.9%
William Fotheringham-Bray	Reform	36	3.7%

Bobbing, Iwade and Lower Halstow

Lloyd Chapman ReformRoger Clark Conservative

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023 (2 seats)

Swale Independents26.5%

Conservative25.6%

Labour21.2%

Lib Dem14.1%

Green12.5%

Candidate	Party	Votes
Lloyd Chapman Elected	Swale Independents	501
Rog Clark Elected	Conservative	483
Olufemi Oludamilare Olukoya	Labour	401
Gareth Randall	Conservative	343
Marc Justin Wilson	Lib Dem	267
Carol Ann Goatham	Green	236

Party shares count each party's leading candidate.

Borden and Grove Park

Ann Cavanagh LabourMike Baldock Swale Independents

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023 (2 seats)

Swale Independents62.9%

Conservative25.9%

Labour11.2%

Candidate	Party	Votes
Mike Baldock Elected	Swale Independents	1,030
Ann Cavanagh Elected	Swale Independents	728
Nicholas Hampshire	Conservative	424
Coner Michael Dobbs	Conservative	262
Martin Scott Singer	Labour	184

Party shares count each party's leading candidate.

Boughton and Courtenay

Alastair Gould GreenRich Lehmann Independent

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023 (2 seats)

Green59.3%

Conservative20.7%

Swale Independents14.7%

Lib Dem5.4%

Candidate	Party	Votes
Rich Lehmann Elected	Green	1,123
Alastair Gould Elected	Green	1,122
Piers Henry McKenzie Baker	Conservative	392
Oliver John Maitland Lane	Conservative	346
Jeff Tutt	Swale Independents	278
Sonia Christine Fox	Lib Dem	102
Ida Linfield	Lib Dem	77

Party shares count each party's leading candidate.

Chalkwell

Charlie Miller Labour

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023

Labour55.3%

Conservative32.1%

Green12.6%

Candidate	Party	Votes	Share
Charlie William Miller Elected	Labour	298	55.3%
Richard Allsep	Conservative	173	32.1%
Hannah Temple	Green	68	12.6%

East Downs

Terry Thompson Green

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023

Green45.9%

Conservative42.2%

Lib Dem11.9%

Candidate	Party	Votes	Share
Terry Conrad Thompson Elected	Green	423	45.9%
David Simmons	Conservative	389	42.2%
Stephen Andrew Fisher	Lib Dem	110	11.9%

Hartlip, Newington and Upchurch

Chris Palmer ReformRichard Palmer Reform

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023 (2 seats)

Swale Independents54.4%

Conservative29.6%

Labour16.1%

Candidate	Party	Votes
Richard Palmer Elected	Swale Independents	943
Chris Palmer Elected	Swale Independents	879
Alan Horton	Conservative	513
Asha Saroy	Conservative	336
Margaret Anne Cooper	Labour	279

Party shares count each party's leading candidate.

Homewood

Shelley Cheesman LabourSimon Clark Labour

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023 (2 seats)

Labour30.9%

Swale Independents23.9%

Conservative20.7%

Heritage Party14.5%

Lib Dem10.0%

Candidate	Party	Votes
Simon Clark Elected	Labour	511
Shelley Cheesman Elected	Labour	483
Jason Clinch	Swale Independents	395
Danielle Hoynes	Conservative	343
John Wright	Conservative	340
Thomas Henry Lee	Heritage Party	240
Frances Elizabeth Stennings	Lib Dem	166

Party shares count each party's leading candidate.

Kemsley

Ashley Wise LabourDerek Carnell Swale Independents

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023 (2 seats)

Swale Independents33.4%

Labour25.1%

Conservative25.0%

Lib Dem16.6%

Candidate	Party	Votes
Derek William Carnell Elected	Swale Independents	476
Ashley Wise Elected	Labour	357
Sue Gent	Conservative	356
Michael Rodger Dendor	Conservative	322
Tony Clark	Lib Dem	236

Party shares count each party's leading candidate.

Milton Regis

Kieran Mishchuk Restore BritainTony Winckless Labour

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023 (2 seats)

Labour58.0%

Swale Independents26.1%

Conservative16.0%

Candidate	Party	Votes
Tony Winckless Elected	Labour	674
Angelica Tereza Valls Elected	Labour	559
Stephen Arthur Davey	Swale Independents	303
David Graham Danaher	Conservative	186
Stuart Roy Williams	Conservative	166

Party shares count each party's leading candidate.

Last by-election, 19 December 2024

Reform33.9%

Swale Independents25.9%

Labour24.9%

Conservative12.3%

Lib Dem2.9%

Candidate	Party	Votes	Share
Kieran Mishchuk Elected	Reform	272	33.9%
Tom Lee	Swale Independents	208	25.9%
Nicola Nelson	Labour	200	24.9%
Islay Joy Eleanor Walker	Conservative	99	12.3%
Marc Justin Wilson	Lib Dem	23	2.9%

Minster Cliffs

Andy Booth ConservativePeter MacDonald ReformTom Nundy Swale Independents

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023 (3 seats)

Swale Independents26.1%

Conservative22.4%

Independent18.2%

Labour15.8%

Green11.0%

Reform6.5%

Candidate	Party	Votes
Tom Nundy Elected	Swale Independents	656
Andy Booth Elected	Conservative	561
Ken Ingleton Elected	Conservative	554
Hollie Bolitho	Conservative	466
Richard Darby	Independent	457
Libby Tucker	Labour	396
Josie Galvin	Green	276
William Fotheringham-Bray	Reform	163

Party shares count each party's leading candidate.

Last by-election, 14 September 2023

Swale Independents35.8%

Labour30.7%

Conservative30.0%

Lib Dem3.5%

Candidate	Party	Votes	Share
Peter MacDonald Elected	Swale Independents	395	35.8%
Ed Baldwin	Labour	339	30.7%
Oliver Eakin	Conservative	331	30.0%
Edward Ernest Currie	Lib Dem	39	3.5%

Murston

Carrie Pollard Swale IndependentsMark Last Labour

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023 (2 seats)

Swale Independents40.6%

Labour27.2%

Conservative14.5%

Lib Dem9.5%

Green8.2%

Candidate	Party	Votes
James Hall Elected	Swale Independents	593
Mark Anthony Last Elected	Labour	397
Ann Hampshire	Conservative	211
Glen Dean Le Grys	Conservative	171
Alexander Stennings	Lib Dem	139
Mary Zeng	Lib Dem	127
Miriam Natasha Layton	Green	119

Party shares count each party's leading candidate.

Last by-election, 21 November 2024

Swale Independents34.5%

Labour29.4%

Reform17.8%

Conservative14.9%

Lib Dem3.3%

Candidate	Party	Votes	Share
Carrie Pollard Elected	Swale Independents	269	34.5%
Rakel Morenike Eseku	Labour	229	29.4%
Ian Michael Bobbett	Reform	139	17.8%
Mariusz Bencych	Conservative	116	14.9%
Alexander Stennings	Lib Dem	26	3.3%

Priory

Alex Eyre Lib Dem

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023

Lib Dem54.6%

Conservative24.1%

Labour13.6%

Green7.6%

Candidate	Party	Votes	Share
Michael Henderson Elected	Lib Dem	394	54.6%
Andy Culham	Conservative	174	24.1%
Rob Crayford	Labour	98	13.6%
Sonia Camilla Jackson	Green	55	7.6%

Last by-election, 3 September 2024

Lib Dem42.5%

Reform26.9%

Conservative20.6%

Labour10.0%

Candidate	Party	Votes	Share
Alex Eyre Elected	Lib Dem	316	42.5%
Jess David Valentine	Reform	200	26.9%
Jack Goodenough	Conservative	153	20.6%
John William Griffin	Labour	74	10.0%

Queenborough and Halfway

Ashley Shiel LabourMike Whiting IndependentPeter Marchington Conservative

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023 (3 seats)

Labour35.3%

Conservative34.3%

Swale Independents17.1%

Lib Dem13.3%

Candidate	Party	Votes
Ashley Roy Arthur Shiel Elected	Labour	603
Peter Marchington Elected	Conservative	586
Mike Whiting Elected	Conservative	522
Donna Margaret Boakes	Labour	508
Bailey Percival Allison	Conservative	498
Jordan Hartley	Labour	462
Lorraine St. John	Swale Independents	293
Linda Ann Brinklow	Lib Dem	227

Party shares count each party's leading candidate.

Roman

Karen Watson LabourTim Gibson Labour

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023 (2 seats)

Labour52.0%

Conservative23.9%

Green13.3%

Lib Dem10.7%

Candidate	Party	Votes
Tim Gibson Elected	Labour	652
Karen Anne Watson Elected	Labour	535
Mark Anthony Quinton	Conservative	300
Alfred Okotie	Conservative	266
Debra Louise Blacklock	Green	167
Rosemary Madgwick	Lib Dem	134

Party shares count each party's leading candidate.

Sheerness

Angela Harrison LabourDolley Wooster LabourHayden Brawn Labour

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023 (3 seats)

Labour42.6%

Conservative23.1%

Independent22.4%

Reform12.0%

Candidate	Party	Votes
Angela Harrison Elected	Labour	727
Hayden Anthony Brawn Elected	Labour	612
Dolley White Elected	Labour	573
Patricia Rogers	Conservative	394
Lee McCall	Independent	382
Jeffrey Mark Vincent Williams	Reform	205

Party shares count each party's leading candidate.

Sheppey Central

Elliott Jayes Swale IndependentsMark Tucker ConservativePete Neal Conservative

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023 (3 seats)

Swale Independents32.8%

Conservative16.9%

Labour14.9%

Independent12.3%

Lib Dem8.3%

Green8.3%

Candidate	Party	Votes
Elliott Matthew Jayes Elected	Swale Independents	794
Peter Neal Elected	Conservative	409
Mark Tucker Elected	Conservative	389
Ian Christopher Edworthy	Labour	362
Oliver Eakin	Conservative	360
Alan George Henley	Labour	333
Peter MacDonald	Independent	298
Edward Ernest Currie	Lib Dem	200
Sam Banks	Green	200
Mad Mike Young	The Official Monster Raving Loony Party	161

Party shares count each party's leading candidate.

Sheppey East

Lee-Anne Moore ConservativeTara Noe Conservative

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023 (2 seats)

Conservative26.3%

Labour17.1%

Independent16.3%

Independent14.5%

Green9.8%

Reform8.2%

Candidate	Party	Votes
Lee-Anne Moore Elected	Conservative	347
Tara Ilana Noe Elected	Conservative	315
Matt Wheatcroft	Labour	226
Pat Sandle	Independent	215
Gaynor Teresa Bidgood	Independent	191
David William Walton	Green	129
Mini Nissanga	Reform	108
Bill Tatton	Independent	103

Party shares count each party's leading candidate.

St Ann's

Carole Jackson LabourKieran Golding Labour

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023 (2 seats)

Labour47.4%

Lib Dem25.1%

Conservative22.3%

Reform5.2%

Candidate	Party	Votes
Carole Jackson Elected	Labour	846
Kieran Joseph Michael Golding Elected	Labour	765
Charles Alexander Gibson	Lib Dem	448
Josh Rowlands	Lib Dem	444
Ben Fisher	Conservative	398
Frankie O'Brien	Conservative	363
Seb Arrowsmith-Brown	Reform	93

Party shares count each party's leading candidate.

Teynham and Lynsted

Julien Speed ConservativeLloyd Bowen Conservative

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023 (2 seats)

Conservative43.7%

Green28.9%

Labour19.7%

Lib Dem7.7%

Candidate	Party	Votes
Lloyd Bowen Elected	Conservative	764
Julien Peter Speed Elected	Conservative	666
Janet Bott	Green	506
Georgina Ruth Jessiman	Labour	344
Dorothee Anne Barker	Lib Dem	135
Carol Morris	Lib Dem	113

Party shares count each party's leading candidate.

The Meads

James Hunt Conservative

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023

Conservative68.2%

Lib Dem31.8%

Candidate	Party	Votes	Share
James Hunt Elected	Conservative	395	68.2%
Shaun John Wakelen	Lib Dem	184	31.8%

Watling

Ben Martin Lib DemClaire Martin Lib Dem

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023 (2 seats)

Lib Dem46.9%

Conservative23.0%

Labour16.3%

Green13.8%

Candidate	Party	Votes
Ben J Martin Elected	Lib Dem	1,009
Claire Martin Elected	Lib Dem	830
Jack Goodenough	Conservative	496
Jess David Valentine	Conservative	465
Robert John Newman	Labour	350
James Douglas Scott	Labour	300
Oliver Heyen	Green	298

Party shares count each party's leading candidate.

West Downs

Monique Bonney Swale Independents

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023

Independent75.3%

Conservative17.8%

Lib Dem6.9%

Candidate	Party	Votes	Share
Monique Bonney Elected	Independent	655	75.3%
Margaret Agnes Benford	Conservative	155	17.8%
Kris Barker	Lib Dem	60	6.9%

Woodstock

Paul Stephen Swale IndependentsSarah Stephen Swale Independents

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023 (2 seats)

Swale Independents47.6%

Conservative33.5%

Labour18.8%

Candidate	Party	Votes
Sarah Stephen Elected	Swale Independents	830
Paul John Stephen Elected	Swale Independents	750
Lee Burgess	Conservative	584
James Leslie Rashleuigh Beer	Labour	328

Party shares count each party's leading candidate.

Councillors

Changed party since the election

8 councillors now sit for a different party from the one they were elected for.

Ward	Councillor	Elected as	Now
Bobbing, Iwade and Lower Halstow	Lloyd Chapman	Swale Independents 2023	Reform
Borden and Grove Park	Ann Cavanagh	Swale Independents 2023	Labour
Boughton and Courtenay	Rich Lehmann	Green 2023	Independent
Hartlip, Newington and Upchurch	Chris Palmer	Swale Independents 2023	Reform
Hartlip, Newington and Upchurch	Richard Palmer	Swale Independents 2023	Reform
Milton Regis	Kieran Mishchuk	Reform 2024	Restore Britain
Minster Cliffs	Peter MacDonald	Swale Independents 2023	Reform
Queenborough and Halfway	Mike Whiting	Conservative 2023	Independent

By-elections

Every council by-election since 2021

5 by-elections since July 2021, 3 of them gains.

Date	Ward	Result	Winner's share
19 December 2024	Milton Regis	Reform gain from Labour	33.9%
21 November 2024	Murston	Other gain from Independent	34.5%
6 September 2024	Priory	Lib Dem hold	42.5%
21 December 2023	Abbey	Lib Dem hold	44.8%
18 September 2023	Minster Cliffs	Local party gain from Conservative

Parliament

Parliamentary constituencies

Constituency	Share of council	2024 winner	Projected now
Sittingbourne and Sheppey	74%	Labour	Reform 33%
Faversham and Mid Kent	26%	Conservative	Conservative 34%

Share of the council: the proportion of its census neighbourhoods (2021 LSOAs) in each seat. The projection is PollCheck's demographic model at current polling, not a forecast.

People

Who lives in Swale

151,681 residents in 60,462 households

Voted Leave in 2016

62% 10 above GB

Degree or higher

24% 10 below GB

No qualifications

22% 4 above GB

Own their home

67% 6 above GB

Rent from a council or housing association

13% 4 below GB

Rent privately

18% 2 below GB

Aged 15 to 34

29% 2 below GB

Aged 65 and over

23% 1 above GB

GB figure. 2021 Census (Scotland: 2022): age as a share of residents aged 15 and over, qualifications of residents aged 16 and over, housing as a share of households. Leave: 2016 EU referendum, Electoral Commission results by counting area.

Similar

Councils most like this one

Nuneaton and BedworthReform UK (Minority)North NorthamptonshireReform UK (Majority)East StaffordshireLabour (Majority)WiganLabour (Majority)ErewashLabour (Majority)

Closest on the measures above: the 2016 Leave vote, age, qualifications and housing. Maps show which party holds each ward.

Sources

Sources and method

Seat totals and control: PollCheck council control tracker. Councillors: Open Council Data (CC BY-SA 4.0). Election results: Democracy Club (CC BY 4.0), with some vote counts from DCLEAPIL, Leman (2025) (CC BY-SA 4.0), and corrections checked against councils' official declarations. Ward boundaries: Source: Office for National Statistics licensed under the Open Government Licence v.3.0. Contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right 2026. Census: Office for National Statistics and National Records of Scotland.

Councillor lists and DCLEAPIL-derived vote counts on this page are available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

In wards electing more than one councillor, a party's share counts only its leading candidate (the Rallings and Thrasher method). Independents count individually. The lead is the gap between the top two parties' shares.