Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council elections are generally held three years out of every four, with a third of the council being elected each time. Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council, generally known as Trafford Council, is the local authority for the metropolitan borough of Trafford in Greater Manchester, England. Since the last boundary changes in 2023, 63 councillors have been elected from 21 wards.[1][2]
Political control
Trafford was created under the Local Government Act 1972 as a metropolitan borough, with Greater Manchester County Council providing county-level services. 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. Greater Manchester County Council was abolished in 1986 and Trafford became a unitary authority. Political control of the council since 1974 has been held by the following parties:[3][4]
Party in control | Years |
| Conservative | 1973–1986 |
| No overall control | 1986–1988 |
| Conservative | 1988–1995 |
| No overall control | 1995–1996 |
| Labour | 1996–2003 |
| No overall control | 2003–2004 |
| Conservative | 2004–2018 |
| No overall control | 2018–2019 |
| Labour | 2019–present |
Leadership
The leaders of the council since 1974 have been:[5]
Councillor | Party | From | To |
Raymond Littler | | Conservative | 1 April 1974 | 22 May 1974 |
Frank Eadie | | Conservative | 22 May 1974 | 1975 |
Michael King | | Conservative | 1975 | 1976 |
Colin Warbrick | | Conservative | 1976 | 1977 |
Michael King | | Conservative | 1977 | 1978 |
Jonathan Taylor | | Conservative | 1978 | 1982 |
Michael King | | Conservative | 1982 | 1985 |
Colin Warbrick | | Conservative | 1985 | 1986 |
Barry Brotherton | | Labour | 1986 | 1988 |
Colin Warbrick | | Conservative | 1988 | 1993 |
Frank Eadie | | Conservative | 1993 | 1995 |
Beverley Hughes | | Labour | 1995 | 1997 |
David Acton | | Labour | 1997 | 2004 |
Susan Williams | | Conservative | 2004 | 19 May 2009 |
Matthew Colledge | | Conservative | 19 May 2009 | 13 Mar 2014 |
Sean Anstee | | Conservative | 13 Mar 2014 | 23 May 2018 |
Andrew Western | | Labour | 23 May 2018 | 4 Jan 2023 |
Tom Ross | | Labour | 4 Jan 2023 | |
Composition
Following the May 2024 election, the political composition of the council is as follows:[6]
Party | Seats | +/- |
| Labour | 43 | |
| Conservative | 8 | |
| Liberal Democrat | 6 | |
| Green | 6 | |
The next election is due in May 2026.
Wards
The council comprises 63 councillors who represent the borough and its residents. Each councillor typically serves for a four-year term, representing an electoral ward.
Code | Ward name | Localities covered (approximate) | Population | Ref. |
00BUFY | Altrincham | Altrincham | 11,873 | [7] |
00BUFZ | Ashton upon Mersey | Sale | 9,726 | [7] |
00BUGA | Bowdon | Altrincham, Bowdon, Dunham Massey, Dunham Town and Warburton | 9,284 | [7] |
00BUGB | Broadheath | Broadheath, Sale and Timperley | 13,069 | [7] |
00BUGC | Brooklands | Brooklands and Sale | 10,572 | [7] |
00BUGD | Bucklow-St. Martins | Carrington, Partington and Sale | 10,540 | [7] |
00BUGE | Clifford | Old Trafford | 12,003 | [7] |
00BUGF | Davyhulme East | Davyhulme, Dumplington and Urmston | 9,680 | [7] |
00BUGG | Davyhulme West | Davyhulme and Flixton | 10,006 | [7] |
00BUGH | Flixton | Flixton | 10,828 | [7] |
00BUGJ | Gorse Hill | Stretford and Trafford Park | 12,171 | [7] |
00BUGK | Hale Barns | Hale, Hale Barns and Timperley | 9,812 | [7] |
00BUGL | Hale Central | Altrincham and Hale | 10,543 | [7] |
00BUGM | Longford | Firswood, Old Trafford, and Stretford | 12,163 | [7] |
00BUGN | Priory | Sale | 10,917 | [7] |
00BUGP | Sale Moor | Sale | 10,508 | [7] |
00BUGQ | St. Mary's | Sale | 11,795 | [7] |
00BUGR | Stretford | Stretford | 11,318 | [7] |
00BUGS | Timperley | Brooklands and Timperley | 11,201 | [7] |
00BUGT | Urmston | Flixton and Urmston | 11,271 | [7] |
00BUGU | Village | Brooklands and Timperley | 10,899 | [7] |
00BU | Trafford | All | 230,179 | [7] |
Council elections
One third of the council is elected each year, followed by one year without election.
- 1973 Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council election, held Thursday 10 May.
- 1975 Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council election, held Thursday 1 May.
- 1976 Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council election, held Thursday 6 May.
- 1978 Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council election, held Thursday 4 May.
- 1979 Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council election, held Thursday 3 May.
- 1980 Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council election, held Thursday 1 May.
- 1982 Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council election, held Thursday 6 May.
- 1983 Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council election, held Thursday 5 May.
- 1984 Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council election, held Thursday 3 May.
- 1986 Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council election, held Thursday 8 May.
- 1987 Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council election, held Thursday 7 May.
- 1988 Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council election, held Thursday 5 May.
- 1990 Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council election, held Thursday 4 May.
- 1991 Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council election, held Thursday 2 May.
- 1992 Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council election, held Thursday 7 May.
- 1994 Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council election, held Thursday 5 May.
- 1995 Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council election, held Thursday 4 May.
- 1996 Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council election, held Thursday 2 May.
- 1998 Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council election, held Thursday 7 May.[8]
- 1999 Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council election, held Thursday 6 May.[9]
- 2000 Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council election, held Thursday 4 May.[10]
- 2002 Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council election, held Thursday 2 May.[11]
- 2003 Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council election, held Thursday 1 May.[12]
- 2004 Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council election, held Thursday 10 June.[13] (All seats contested due to boundary changes)
- 2006 Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council election, held Thursday 4 May.[14]
- 2007 Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council election, held Thursday 3 May.[15]
- 2008 Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council election, held Thursday 1 May
- 2010 Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council election, held Thursday 6 May
- 2011 Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council election, held Thursday 5 May
- 2012 Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council election, held Thursday 3 May.
- 2014 Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council election, held Thursday 22 May.
- 2015 Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council election, held Thursday 7 May.
- 2016 Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council election, held Thursday 5 May.
- 2018 Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council election, held Thursday 3 May.
- 2019 Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council election, held Thursday 2 May.
- 2021 Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council election, held Thursday 6 May (delayed from May 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic).[16][17]
- 2022 Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council election, held Thursday 5 May.[18]
- 2023 Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council election, held Thursday 4 May (All seats contested due to boundary changes).
- 2024 Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council election, held Thursday 2 May.
By-election results
By-elections in the 2020s
Bucklow-St. Martins By-Election 2 November 2023[19] Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Labour | Frances Cosby | 794 | 62.0 | 0.8 |
| Conservative | Paul Lally | 284 | 22.0 | 1.7 |
| Reform UK | Paul Swansborough | 82 | 6.4 | N/A |
| Green | Rodrigo Capucho Paulo | 80 | 6.2 | 4.2 |
| Liberal Democrats | Matthew Sellars | 36 | 2.8 | 3.5 |
Majority | 510 | 39.8 | |
Registered electors | 7,325 | | |
Turnout | 1,280 | 17.5 | 7.0 |
| Labour hold | Swing | | |
By-elections in the 2010s
Bucklow-St. Martins By-Election 14 September 2017 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Labour | Aidan Williams | 1,050 | 64.7 | +26.3 |
| Conservative | Sarah Marland | 456 | 28.1 | +11.0 |
| UKIP | Andrew Beaumont | 65 | 4.0 | -9.3 |
| Green | Joe Ryan | 33 | 2.0 | -2.5 |
| Liberal Democrats | Simon Lepori | 18 | 1.1 | -1.8 |
Majority | 594 | 35.7 | +21.1 |
Turnout | 1,662 | 22.0 | -10.7 |
| Labour gain from Conservative | Swing | | |
Broadheath By-Election 4 May 2017 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Labour | Amy Marie Whyte | 2,086 | 46.0 | -1.2 |
| Conservative | Dave Morgan | 1,778 | 40.9 | -0.3 |
| Liberal Democrats | Simon Alexander Latham | 271 | 6.2 | +1.1 |
| UKIP | Mike Bayley-Sanderson | 91 | 2.1 | |
| Green | Joe Ryan | 80 | 1.8 | -2.0 |
| Independent | Stephen John Farndon | 36 | 0.8 | -1.8 |
Majority | 308 | 7.1 | +1.2 |
Turnout | 4342 | 44.3 | +2.5 |
| Labour hold | Swing | | |
Broadheath By-Election 16 January 2014 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Labour | Helen Boyle | 1,377 | 44.5 | -1.8 |
| Conservative | Brenda Houraghan | 1,258 | 40.6 | +1.8 |
| UKIP | Ron George | 234 | 7.5 | +1.3 |
| Liberal Democrats | Will Jones | 150 | 4.8 | +0.4 |
| Green | Joe Ryan | 67 | 2.2 | -2.1 |
Majority | 119 | 3.8 | -3.6 |
Turnout | 3,097 | 30.3 | -8.5 |
| Labour gain from Conservative | Swing | | |
By-elections in the 2000s
Davyhulme West By-Election 25 November 2004[20] Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Conservative | Nigel Hooley | 1,070 | 52.2 | -3.4 |
| Labour | Bill Clarke | 757 | 36.9 | +8.1 |
| Liberal Democrats | Alan Vernon | 222 | 10.8 | -4.8 |
Majority | 313 | 15.3 | -13.5 |
Turnout | 2,049 | 27.2 | -21.3 |
| Conservative hold | Swing | | |
Timperley By-Election 25 November 2004[20] Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Conservative | Ken Bullman | 1,152 | 51.2 | +1.8 |
| Liberal Democrats | Ian Chappell | 750 | 33.3 | +2.5 |
| Labour | Tom Ross | 349 | 15.5 | -4.5 |
Majority | 402 | 17.9 | -1.7 |
Turnout | 2,251 | 27.3 | -25.1 |
| Conservative hold | Swing | | |
Davyhulme East By-Election 28 November 2002 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Conservative | M. D. Cornes | 2,030 | 57.6 | +0.2 |
| Labour | N. K. Roberts | 1,493 | 42.4 | -0.2 |
Majority | 537 | 15.2 | +0.5 |
Turnout | 3,523 | 50.0 | -2.2 |
| Conservative hold | Swing | | |
By-elections in the 1990s
Talbot By-Election 18 September 1997 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Labour | S. A. Beaumont | 935 | 81.8 | +5.5 |
| Conservative | M. Ali | 144 | 12.6 | -9.6 |
| Liberal Democrats | F. C. Beswick | 64 | 5.6 | +5.6 |
Majority | 791 | 69.2 | +15.1 |
Turnout | 1,143 | 17.9 | -10.1 |
| Labour hold | Swing | | |
Clifford By-Election 16 December 1993 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Labour | E. W. Stennett | 1,207 | 78.8 | +16.7 |
| Conservative | C. H. Davenport | 226 | 14.8 | -17.4 |
| Liberal Democrats | F. C. Beswick | 99 | 6.5 | +6.5 |
Majority | 981 | 64.0 | +34.1 |
Turnout | 1,532 | 17.9 | |
| Labour hold | Swing | | |
Stretford By-Election 5 December 1991 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Labour | B. E. Garlick | 1,656 | 48.0 | +2.2 |
| Conservative | H. Walker* | 1,654 | 47.9 | -2.0 |
| Liberal Democrats | F. C. Beswick | 140 | 4.1 | -4.1 |
Majority | 2 | 0.1 | +34.1 |
Turnout | 3,450 | 42.9 | -6.6 |
| Labour gain from Conservative | Swing | | |
By-elections in the 1980s
Bowdon By-Election 15 June 1989 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Conservative | M. C. Harney | 2,582 | 59.6 | -11.2 |
| Labour | H. F. Busteed | 674 | 15.6 | +3.6 |
| Liberal Democrats | G. P. Pawson | 567 | 13.1 | -0.5 |
| Green | M. R. Rowtham | 506 | 11.7 | +8.2 |
Majority | 1,908 | 44.1 | +3 |
Turnout | 4,329 | 47.3 | +14.3 |
| Conservative hold | Swing | | |
Urmston By-Election 24 November 1988 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Labour | D. Acton | 1,563 | 52.6 | +7.1 |
| Conservative | J. G. Graham | 1,406 | 47.4 | +0.2 |
Majority | 157 | 5.3 | +3.7 |
Turnout | 2,969 | 37.2 | +14.3 |
| Labour hold | Swing | | |
Mersey St. Marys By-Election 22 January 1987 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Conservative | S. G. Brownhill | 1,610 | 56.7 | +5.0 |
| SDP | R. J. Thompson | 683 | 24.0 | +24.0 |
| Labour | P. Miller | 550 | 19.3 | -0.2 |
Majority | 927 | 32.6 | +9.8 |
Turnout | 2,843 | 29.6 | -13.8 |
| Conservative hold | Swing | | |
Talbot By-Election 6 November 1986 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Labour | P. A. Lane | 1,209 | 68.3 | +1.1 |
| Conservative | C. J. Levenston | 562 | 31.7 | +9.0 |
Majority | 647 | 36.5 | -8.0 |
Turnout | 1,771 | 24.3 | -11.9 |
| Labour hold | Swing | | |
Altrincham By-Election 6 March 1986 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Labour | J. F. L. Wood | 1,150 | 38.2 | -0.6 |
| Conservative | S. M. A. O'Beirne | 983 | 32.7 | -10.9 |
| SDP | B. M. Keeley-Huggett | 793 | 26.4 | +26.4 |
| Green | N. J. Eadie | 81 | 2.7 | +1.1 |
Majority | 167 | 5.6 | +0.8 |
Turnout | 3,007 | 37.4 | -11.9 |
| Labour gain from Conservative | Swing | | |
Urmston By-Election 6 March 1986 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Labour | D. Acton | 1,321 | 44.7 | +5.4 |
| Conservative | E. May | 871 | 29.5 | -14.5 |
| SDP | P. J. Carlon | 762 | 25.8 | +9.1 |
Majority | 450 | 15.2 | +10.6 |
Turnout | 2,954 | 37.1 | -6.9 |
| Labour gain from Conservative | Swing | | |
Flixton By-Election 23 May 1985 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Liberal | J. E. Parry | 1,608 | 40.5 | +2.1 |
| Conservative | A. M. Durbin | 1,213 | 30.6 | -6.9 |
| Labour | M. J. Goggins | 1,146 | 28.9 | +4.8 |
Majority | 395 | 10.0 | +9.1 |
Turnout | 3,967 | 49.4 | +2.2 |
| Liberal hold | Swing | | |
Timperley By-Election 8 July 1982 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Conservative | W. J. Watkins | 1,433 | 47.3 | -1.7 |
| Liberal | G. K. Stuart | 1,388 | 45.8 | -2.6 |
| Labour | R. J. Short | 208 | 6.9 | +4.3 |
Majority | 45 | 1.5 | +1.4 |
Turnout | 3,029 | 33.8 | -11.6 |
| Conservative hold | Swing | | |
Village By-Election 18 March 1982 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Liberal | R. B. Slack | 1,338 | 38.6 | +2.1 |
| Conservative | D. Merrell | 1,138 | 32.9 | -0.9 |
| Labour | R. Crewe | 988 | 28.5 | -1.2 |
Majority | 200 | 5.8 | +3.0 |
Turnout | 3,464 | 41.2 | -9.0 |
| Liberal gain from Conservative | Swing | | |
Flixton By-Election 9 July 1981 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Liberal | D. E. Earl | 1,400 | 40.1 | +9.2 |
| Conservative | P. Schofield | 1,199 | 34.3 | -2.3 |
| Labour | R. A. Tully | 895 | 25.6 | -6.9 |
Majority | 201 | 5.8 | -1.7 |
Turnout | 3,494 | 44.4 | -4.4 |
| Liberal gain from Conservative | Swing | | |
Davyhulme West By-Election 11 June 1981 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Labour | L. M. Seex | 1,417 | 43.3 | +4.6 |
| Conservative | D. P. Harding | 1,242 | 37.9 | +1.0 |
| Liberal | J. A. Cottrell | 617 | 18.8 | -4.7 |
Majority | 175 | 5.3 | +4.4 |
Turnout | 3,276 | 39.7 | -4.8 |
| Labour gain from Liberal | Swing | | |
By-elections in the 1970s
Davyhulme West By-Election 13 December 1979 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Conservative | D. P. Harding | 858 | 41.3 | +41.3 |
| Labour | A. Stringer | 752 | 36.2 | +3.1 |
| Liberal | L. O'Rourke | 466 | 22.4 | -38.3 |
Majority | 106 | 5.1 | -16.3 |
Turnout | 2,076 | 20.0 | -55.0 |
| Conservative hold | Swing | | |
Longford By-Election 30 August 1979 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Labour | M. E. Cottam | 1,187 | 42.7 | +1.6 |
| Conservative | J. A. Schofield | 1,127 | 40.5 | -4.0 |
| Liberal | H. D. Locksley | 466 | 16.8 | +2.4 |
Majority | 60 | 2.2 | -1.2 |
Turnout | 2,780 | 29.1 | -43.6 |
| Labour gain from Conservative | Swing | | |
Broadheath By-Election 24 March 1977 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Conservative | M. G. Currie | 1,183 | 56.7 | +2.4 |
| Liberal | E. H. Faulkner | 579 | 27.7 | -3.4 |
| Labour | P. B. Ayo | 325 | 15.6 | -5.8 |
Majority | 604 | 28.9 | -1.2 |
Turnout | 2,087 | 31.7 | -13.3 |
| Conservative hold | Swing | | |
St. Martins By-Election 24 March 1977 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Conservative | T. Almond | 1,862 | 58.7 | -8.1 |
| Labour | B. Brotherton | 744 | 23.5 | -9.7 |
| Liberal | W. J. Golding | 566 | 17.8 | +17.8 |
Majority | 1,118 | 35.2 | +1.5 |
Turnout | 3,172 | 28.1 | -10.1 |
| Conservative hold | Swing | | |
Village By-Election 14 October 1976 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Conservative | R. Holden | 1,307 | 67.1 | +19.5 |
| Labour | J. Gregory | 640 | 32.9 | +8.1 |
Majority | 667 | 34.3 | +11.5 |
Turnout | 1,947 | 24.3 | -20.2 |
| Conservative gain from Labour | Swing | | |
St. Martins By-Election 18 July 1974 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Conservative | P. A. G. Morgan Evans | 1,752 | 46.2 | -13.8 |
| Labour | T. J. Packham | 1,191 | 31.4 | |
| Liberal | M. Wood | 849 | 22.4 | |
Majority | 561 | 14.8 | |
Turnout | 3,792 | 34.0 | |
| Conservative gain from Labour | Swing | | |
References
- ^ "The Borough of Trafford (Electoral Changes) Order 2004", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, SI 2004/720, retrieved 3 September 2022
- ^ "Trafford". Local Government Boundary Commission. Retrieved 3 September 2022.
- ^ "Compositions calculator". The Elections Centre. Retrieved 10 August 2022.
- ^ Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council (5 May 2016). "Declaration of result of poll: Trafford" (PDF). Government of the United Kingdom. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
- ^ "Council minutes". Trafford Council. Retrieved 2 September 2022.
- ^ "Your Councillors". Trafford Council. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v "Area profiles: demographics". infotrafford.org.uk. Trafford Innovation and Intelligence Lab. 2013. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
- ^ Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council (7 May 1998). "Local Election Results 1998". Government of the United Kingdom. Retrieved 4 January 2008.
- ^ Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council (6 May 1999). "Local Election Results 1999". Government of the United Kingdom. Retrieved 4 January 2008.
- ^ Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council (4 May 2000). "Local Election Results 2000". Government of the United Kingdom. Archived from the original on 8 February 2012. Retrieved 4 January 2008.
- ^ Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council (2 May 2002). "Local Election Results 2002". Government of the United Kingdom. Retrieved 4 January 2008.
- ^ Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council (4 May 2003). "Local Election Results 2003". Government of the United Kingdom. Retrieved 4 January 2008.
- ^ Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council (10 June 2004). "Local Election Results 2004". Government of the United Kingdom. Retrieved 4 January 2008.
- ^ Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council (4 May 2006). "Local Election Results 2006". Government of the United Kingdom. Archived from the original on 30 September 2007. Retrieved 4 January 2008.
- ^ Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council (3 May 2007). "Local Election Results 2007". Government of the United Kingdom. Archived from the original on 30 September 2007. Retrieved 4 January 2008.
- ^ "Local elections postponed for a year over coronavirus". BBC News. 13 March 2020. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
- ^ "May's local and mayoral elections postponed for a year due to coronavirus". ITV News. 13 March 2020. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
- ^ Richardson, Alice (6 April 2022). "All the candidates standing in Trafford council local elections 2022 by ward". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 6 April 2022.
- ^ Staff writer (3 November 2023). "Local Election 2019 Results". trafford.gov.uk. Trafford MBC. Retrieved 3 November 2023.
- ^ a b Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council (25 November 2004). "November By Elections 2004". Government of the United Kingdom. Retrieved 2 January 2008.
External links
- Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council
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