Frequently Asked Questions — Howlands Ward

Who won the Howlands ward election in 2023?

Labour held Howlands ward at the 4 May 2023 Local Election. Labour won with a majority of 359 votes (22.9%). Turnout was 29.6%.

Which council does Howlands ward elect to?

Howlands 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 29.6% 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 Howlands in 2023 is shown in the statistics above.