Hotwells and Harbourside

Hotwells and Harbourside is one of the thirty-four electoral wards in the city of Bristol in the southwest of England. It is represented by one councillor on Bristol City Council, which as of 2024 is Patrick McAllister of the Green Party of England and Wales. Hotwells and Harbourside ward was created in May 2016 following a boundary review, incorporating part of the former Cabot ward.

Area profile

The ward covers part of Bristol city centre, Spike Island, and parts of Hotwells and Cliftonwood. Notable places in the ward include College Green, Bristol Cathedral, Bristol City Hall, Brandon Hill, Cabot Tower, and the Cumberland Basin.
Hotwells and Harbourside has a large number of young people living in the area., over 25% of the population was aged 16–24, significantly higher than the national average. People aged 25–39 also make a substantial part of the population, at over 35%.
For elections to the Parliament of the United Kingdom, Hotwells and Harbourside is part of Bristol Central constituency. Before boundary changes in 2024, it was in Bristol West constituency.

Since the ward's formation in 2016, it was held by the Liberal Democrats until 2023. A by-election due to councillor ill-health took place on 2 February 2023, won by the Green Party candidate, which consequently became the largest party on Bristol City Council.

Independent candidate Martin Booth announced on 16 January that he would not campaign, effectively withdrawing, due to a perceived conflict of interest with his role as Bristol24-7 editor. However he remained on the ballot paper. The Conservative Eliana Barbosa was a "paper candidate", who did not attend the hustings or count.