Broadland local election analysis with Shaun Vincent at risk

Conservatives have lost 15 seats in almost a decade and now their leader is at risk and the authority could go to no overall control when the local elections are held on May 4.

The council, which has 47 councillors, is currently made up of 28 Conservatives, 12 Liberal Democrats, two Labour, two Greens and one independent. Two seats are vacant. 

There are just five seats between the Tories and no group having control, assuming opposition parties keep all their spots and the vacancies.

A Norfolk polling station Pictrue: Sophia France (Image: Archant)

It is a far cry from the council make-up in 2015 when the Tories were on a high, controlling 43 of the seats. 

Shaun Vincent, who has led the council since 2018, will be eyeing his seat with particular anxiety.  

He took Plumstead ward at the last local election with just 22 more votes than the Green group’s Andrew Cawdron. 

However, in 2019 he was only up against one rival, this time Labour are also putting up a candidate, which could see split the vote.

Fellow Conservative, Adrian Crotch in Drayton North, is also in a tight spot, he only had 83 votes more than his nearest rival in 2019. Two other seats are within 100 votes of going Lib Dem. 

On the other side, Buxton, Hellesdon South East and Taverham North could be tough for the Lib Dems to hold, with just two, 25 and 30 votes in each ward separating them from the leading party. 

At the same time, Conservative John Fisher seems to be spread betting, standing in both Norwich City Council and Broadland elections. 

And James Knight, a South Norfolk Councillor, is looking to make roads into Broadland. 

WHO IS STANDING DOWN? 

Six Conservative and three liberal democrats are standing down at the next election. 

David Harrison (LD) 

Karen Lawrence (LD) 

Julie Neesam (LD) 

Ian Moncur (C) 

Clare Ryman-Tubb (C) 

Susan Lawn (C) 

Roger Foulger (C) 

Greg Peck (C) 

David King (C)