Frequently Asked Questions — Rural West Ward

Who won the Rural West ward election in 2023?

Conservative held Rural West ward at the 4 May 2023 Local Election. Conservative won with a majority of 417 votes (20.2%). Turnout was 34.5%.

Which council does Rural West ward elect to?

Rural West is a ward within Hartlepool. Councillors elected here sit on Hartlepool Council, responsible for local services including planning, housing, social care, and waste collection. At this election 34.5% of eligible voters cast a ballot — local elections typically attract 25–40% turnout nationally.

What does swing mean in UK elections?

Swing measures how much support has shifted between two parties compared to a previous election. The Butler swing formula — used in British election reporting since the 1950s — takes the average of the gain in the winner's vote share and the loss in the runner-up's. A 5% swing is considered large at ward level; anything above 10% is exceptional. The swing figure for Rural West in 2023 is shown in the statistics above.