Medway council is currently comprised of 59 councillors belonging to one of three political groups.
Between the first elections to Medway council in 1997 and 2003, there were 80 seats on the council across 35 wards. Since the boundaries were redrawn in 2003, there have been 55 seats across 22 wards. The boundaries are due to be redrawn again following a boundary review which took place between December 2019 and March 2021. From May 2023, there will be 59 seats across 24 council wards.
Ward Map
Colour denotes the highest-polling candidate in the most recent election in each ward. If there are councillors from another party in the same ward, they are denoted by a star.
Political Groups
Candidates usually stand for a political party (although some stand as independent candidates) and, if elected, sit in that party's political group. A party requires two or more members to formally constitute a group.
Medway council is currently made up of the following political groups:
Labour and Co-operative group | 33 | |
Conservative group | 22 | |
Independent group | 3 | |
Independent | 1 |
Former Political Groups
The following parties have also been represented on the council since the first elections in 1997:
Independent Conservative | |
Independent Liberal Democrat | |
Liberal Democrat | |
Ukip |
Political Control
A political group currently requires 28 members for an overall majority on the council. If no group has more than 28 members then the administration is classed as "NOC", or no overall control. Prior to 2003, a political group required 41 members for an overall majority.
The 2003 election was the first time a single political group had an overall majority on the council.
Years | Control of the Council | |
1998 to 2003 | No overall control | |
2003 to 2023 | Conservative | |
2023 to Present | Labour and Co-operative |