Frequently Asked Questions — Handside Ward

Who won the Handside ward election in 2023?

Liberal Democrats held Handside ward at the 4 May 2023 Local Election. Liberal Democrats won with a majority of 708 votes (28.3%). Turnout was 45.9%.

Which council does Handside ward elect to?

Handside is a ward within Welwyn Hatfield. Councillors elected here sit on Welwyn Hatfield Council, responsible for local services including planning, housing, social care, and waste collection. At this election 45.9% 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 Handside in 2023 is shown in the statistics above.