Bristol’s first elected mayor could be named by 12.15pm – and with a turnout of just under 28% across the city pollsters believe Independent George Ferguson could have snatched victory from the favourite, Labour’s Marvin Rees.
Figures released by Bristol City Council this morning showed 27.92% of people overall cast their vote – with 57.84% of postal votes returned and 22.93% of voters going to the polls across the city.
Mr Rees faced a nervous wait this morning after the count began at the huge University of the West of England (UWE) conference centre at 9am.
The turnout by different wards across Bristol showed a mixed picture – with the predicted high turnout in traditional Conservative areas. In Westbury-on-Trym, the turnout figure was listed as 48.78% – the highest in any ward. And with signs that many Tory voters had deserted their candidate to back Mr Ferguson, the Independent’s chances of winning grew stronger.
There were five areas in the city with a 40%-plus turnout, including: Ashley, Bishopston, Bishopsworth, Henleaze and Southville.
Should no candidate gain 50% plus one vote in the first round, counting of the second choice votes will begin.
The results can be viewed live here: www.bristol.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcast_interactive/89801
In May, 24% turned out to vote in the referendum, with 41,032 in favour of a mayor and 35,880 against.
Early reaction from Labour supporters showed there was a degree of worry for their man’s chances.
The LabourList blog this morning had already given Bristol 1st candidate George Ferguson victory, stating: “The bad news comes from Bristol. Local sources indicated to us during the night that the Tory vote has collapsed, which looks likely to have handed victory to the Independent (former Lib Dem) candidate George Ferguson.
“Labour’s Marvin Rees will finish a strong second – but Ferguson’s support is enough that he may even win on first preferences.
“Counting won’t begin until later today – but if our source in Bristol is right, we should already be considering Bristol to be the latest in a long line of independents elected as local mayors.”
Alderman Paul Smith, a former Labour councillor and MP candidate, said on Twitter this morning: “Turnout figures by ward in #BristolMayor look bad for Labour. Whoever wins is essential that everyone rallies behind them for sake of city.”
Meanwhile, Labour councillor Sean Beynon added: “Hugely disappointed by turnout in mayoral vote. November elections not a good idea.”
The turnout figures will encourage campaigners for Mr Ferguson. A campaigner for the independent candidate told Bristol24-7 earlier this week that a low turnout, with higher figures for “more sympathetic” wards would give their man the advantage.
Meanwhile, 27.48% of voters in Bristol cast their vote for the first police and crime commissioner (PCC) for Avon and Somerset, with an overall figure across the force area of 19.58%.
Turnout in the PCC elections nationally was heading for a record low for a UK election, possibly as low as 15%, raising questions about the authority and legitimacy of the new breed of politicians responsible for overseeing police chief con
stables in England and Wales.
The count for the region is expected to start at midday today with a result expected in the early evening.
The count process
- The count for the Bristol mayor election will start at 9am
- A result from the first round of voting is expected at around noon.
- Should no candidate gain 50% plus one vote in the first round, the second round of voting will begin
- A final result is expected between 5pm and 7pm
- The PCC count will begin at midday, to allow all votes and local authority staff from around the region to get to Bristol
- A result is expected at around the same time as the mayor vote.
