The 2012 Colchester Borough Council election took place on 3 May 2012 to elect members of Colchester Borough Council in Essex, England. One third of the council was up for election and the council stayed under no overall control.^[1]

Quick Facts 20 out of 60 seats to Colchester Borough Council 31 seats needed for a majority, Turnout ...

2012 Colchester Borough Council election

← 2011 3 May 2012 (2012-05-03) 2014 →
20 out of 60 seats to Colchester Borough Council 31 seats needed for a majority
Turnout	29.4% (11.9%)
First party Second party   Party Liberal Democrats Conservative Seats before 26 21 Seats won 9 6 Seats after 26 20 Seat change 1 Popular vote 10,073 8,917 Percentage 32.6% 28.9% Swing 5.1% 7.6%   Third party Fourth party   Party Labour Independent Seats before 7 3 Seats won 4 1 Seats after 8 3 Seat change 1 Popular vote 7,401 1,405 Percentage 24.0% 4.5% Swing 2.1% 1.6%
Leader of the council before election Anne Turrell Liberal Democrats Leader of the council after election Anne Turrell Liberal Democrats

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After the election, the composition of the council was

• Liberal Democrats 26
• Conservative 23
• Labour 8
• Independent 3^[1]

Before the election a coalition between the Liberal Democrats with 26 seats, Labour with 7 seats and the 3 independents ran the council, while the 24 Conservatives were in opposition.^[2] 20 of the seats were contested at the election with the Conservatives aiming to regain seats they had lost at the 2008 election, while the Local Government Information Unit called the election one of the top 50 contests in the 2012 local elections.^[2]

The Conservatives called for the council to change to full council elections every four years, for food waste pick ups to be introduced immediately and for a push to keep the town centre clean.^[2] However the Liberal Democrats defended their record in leading the council pointing to a freeze in council tax, recycling rates and contrasted their record in control with the former Conservative administration.^[3] Meanwhile, Labour was supported during the campaign by a visit from the former Labour cabinet minister Hazel Blears.^[4]

The only change at the election saw Labour gain one seat from the Conservatives in Wivenhoe Quay.^[5] Meanwhile, the Liberal Democrats remained the largest party on the council with 26 seats despite losing seats across the country.^[5] The existing coalition between the Liberal Democrats, Labour and independents stayed in control of the council after the election.^[6]

More information Party, This election ...

2012 Colchester Borough Council election[7]
Party		This election			Full council			This election
		Seats	Net	Seats %	Other	Total	Total %	Votes	Votes %	+/−
	Liberal Democrats	9		45.0	17	26	43.3	10,073	32.6	+5.1
	Conservative	6	1	30.0	17	23	38.3	8,917	28.9	–7.6
	Labour	4	1	20.0	4	8	13.3	7,401	24.0	+2.1
	Independent	1		5.0	2	3	5.0	1,405	4.5	–1.6
	Green	0		0.0	0	0	0.0	2,268	7.3	–0.3
	UKIP	0		0.0	0	0	0.0	824	2.7	+2.3

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