Election Name: | 2007 Epping Forest District Council election |
Country: | England |
Type: | Parliamentary |
Ongoing: | no |
Party Colour: | yes |
Turnout: | 34.3 (9.5%) |
Previous Election: | 2006 Epping Forest District Council election |
Previous Year: | 2006 |
Next Election: | 2008 |
Next Year: | 2008 |
Seats For Election: | 17 of 58 seats on Epping Forest District Council |
Majority Seats: | 30 |
Election Date: | 3 May 2007 |
Party1: | Conservative Party (UK) |
Last Election1: | 29 seats, 43.9% |
Seats Before1: | 30 |
Seats1: | 32 |
Seat Change1: | 3 |
Popular Vote1: | 10,331 |
Percentage1: | 57.0% |
Swing1: | 13.1% |
Party2: | Liberal Democrats (UK) |
Last Election2: | 13 seats, 25.8% |
Seats Before2: | 12 |
Seats2: | 11 |
Seat Change2: | 2 |
Popular Vote2: | 4,516 |
Percentage2: | 24.9% |
Swing2: | 0.9% |
Party4: | Labour Party (UK) |
Last Election4: | 1 seat, 5.6% |
Seats Before4: | 1 |
Seats4: | 1 |
Popular Vote4: | 883 |
Percentage4: | 4.9% |
Swing4: | 0.7% |
Party3: | British National Party |
Last Election3: | 6 seats, 5.6% |
Seats Before3: | 6 |
Seats3: | 6 |
Popular Vote3: | 1,093 |
Percentage3: | 6.0% |
Swing3: | 0.4% |
Party5: | Independent (politician) |
Last Election5: | 3 seats, 3.8% |
Seats Before5: | 3 |
Seats5: | 2 |
Seat Change5: | 1 |
Popular Vote5: | 510 |
Percentage5: | 2.3% |
Swing5: | 5.7% |
Party6: | Epping Community Action |
Colour6: | 85124A |
Last Election6: | 0 seat, N/A |
Seats Before6: | 0 |
Seats6: | 0 |
Popular Vote6: | 510 |
Percentage6: | 2.8% |
Swing6: | N/A |
Map Size: | 300px |
Map2 Image: | File:2007 Epping Forest Council composition.png |
Map2 Size: | 400px |
Map2 Caption: | Council composition following the election |
Council control | |
Posttitle: | Council control after election |
Before Election: | Conservative |
After Election: | Conservative |
Elections to Epping Forest Council were held on 3 May 2007. One third of the council was up for election and the Conservative party regained overall control of the council, thanks initially to a by-election in Grange Hill in December 2006, and then following gains at this election.
The British National Party retained all its representation on the council with 6 seats, and marginally increased its vote share. The remaining Labour councillor, Peter Gode of Shelley retained his seat, albeit with a significantly reduced majority. The Conservatives, following gains from the Liberal Democrats regained control of the council having last had control in 1994. One Independent lost their seat to the Conservatives, leaving two remaining on the council.
This election saw the Epping Community Action Group come third in both Epping wards. The party, registered in 2005, ran on a pledge to rejuvenate Epping high street and save small shops by relaxing parking laws. It opposed fortnightly collection of household rubbish and committed to not build on green belt land. Run by Ian Anderson, a former leader of the National Front between 1990 and 1995. Anderson's local party also committed to re-open the local adult learning centre and to stop the town centre becoming an "endless parade of chain coffeehouses and takeaways". Neither Epping candidates, including Anderson won seats, causing the party to dissolve.
Due to no Loughton seats being contested in this cycle, no Loughton Residents Association councillors were up for election, and hence did not change in number.
This by-election win by the Conservatives gave the party council control for the first time since 1994.