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The ward is one of 21 in the Wakefield district, and is one of its most marginal. Its marginal nature can be largely put down to the nature of its demographics. The ward takes in traditionally Labour-voting areas of Pontefract, in the form of Chequerfield, Baghill and the Carleton Park estate, along with more Conservative-leaning areas such as Carleton and the outlying villages of Darrington, Wentbridge and East Hardwick. Other areas of the ward, such as the Larks Hill estate, are probably the most locally marginal parts of the ward, their voters swinging between Labour and the Conservatives from one election to another.
In December 2010 the ward's electorate stood at 12,090.
Representation
This section is missing information about the councillors between 2000-2002. Please expand the section to include this information. Further details may exist on the talk page. (June 2022)
Like all wards in the Wakefield district, Pontefract South has 3 councillors, whom are elected on a 4-year-rota. This means elections for new councillors are held for three years running, with one year every four years having no elections.
At present, the ward is represented by two labour councillors, George Ayre and Brian Mayhew and one Conservative councillor, Tony Hames. For over 10 years the ward was represented solely by Conservative/Tory councillors, however at the local government elections held on 5 May 2011, Conservative councillor Philip Booth lost his seat to the late Tony Dean, meaning Labour gained representation in the ward once again.
At the local elections in May 2014, Pontefract local George Ayre (Labour) unseated the Wakefield District Tory group leader of Wakefield Council, Geoff Walsh. This means Labour hold the majority of seats in Pontefract South once again. In 2015, David Jones (Labour) replaced Tony Dean who retired that year. In 2018 and 2019 respectively, George Ayre and David Jones were re-elected.
David Jones served as Mayor of Wakefield from 2020 to 2023.
David Jones stood down in 2023. Brian mayhew won the 2023 local election and replaced David Jones.
Cllr George Ayre, Brian Mayhew and Tony Hames represent Pontefract South. The next elections will take place in 2024.
Cllr George Ayre is the longest serving councillor for Pontefract South having been elected in 2014.
Election results
Note: The turnout figures below are inclusive of spoiled ballots, except for the 2012 and 2016 results.
Pontefract SouthLocation within West Yorkshire