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{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2023}}
{{Use British English|date=June 2013}}
{{Infobox settlement
|name = Borough of Boston
|type = [[Non-metropolitan district]] and [[Borough status in the United Kingdom|borough]]

| image_skyline = {{multiple image
| border = infobox| perrow = 1/2| total_width = 240|align=center
| image1 = Boston - panoramio (19).jpg
| image2 = Town Hall, Kirton (26584624566).jpg
| image3 = Algakirk Church - geograph.org.uk - 5148077.jpg
| image4 = St Mary's church, Sutterton - geograph.org.uk - 4417330.jpg
| image5 = Boston (Lincolnshire, England) (39831370184).jpg}}
| image_caption = {{ubl|From left to right|Top: [[Boston Stump]] and Boston town centre|Middle: [[Kirton-in-Holland|Kirton]] town hall and [[Algarkirk]] church|Bottom: [[Sutterton]] church and aerial of the town centre and waterways/bridges}}
|image_blank_emblem=
|blank_emblem_type = Coat of Arms
|image_map = Boston UK locator map.svg
|map_caption = Shown within the [[ceremonial county]] of [[Lincolnshire]]
|mapsize = frameless
|subdivision_type = [[List of sovereign states|Sovereign state]]
|subdivision_name = United Kingdom
|subdivision_type1 = [[Countries of the United Kingdom|Constituent country]]
|subdivision_name1 = England
|subdivision_type2 = [[Regions of England|Region]]
|subdivision_name2 = [[East Midlands]]
|subdivision_type3 = [[Administrative counties of England|Administrative county]]
|subdivision_name3 = [[Lincolnshire]]
|seat_type = Admin. HQ
|seat = [[Boston, England|Boston]]
|government_type = Boston Borough Council
|leader_title2 = [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|MP]]:
|leader_name2 = [[Richard Tice]]
|leader_title3 =
|established_title = Founded
|established_date =
|founder =
|area_rank = [[List of English districts by area|{{English district area rank|GSS=E07000136}}]]
|area_total_km2 = {{formatnum:{{English district area|GSS=E07000136}}|R}}
|latd= |latm= |lats= |latNS=
|longd= |longm= |longs= |longEW=
|population_as_of = {{English statistics year}}
|population_total = 64,637
|population_rank = [[List of English districts by population|Ranked {{English district rank|GSS= E07000136}}]]
|population_density_km2 = auto
|timezone = [[Greenwich Mean Time]]
|utc_offset = +0
|timezone_DST = [[British Summer Time]]
|utc_offset_DST = +1
|postal_code_type = Precode
|postal_code = 
|blank_name = [[ISO 3166-2:GB|ISO 3166-2]]
|blank_info = 
|blank1_name = [[ONS coding system|ONS code]]
|blank1_info = 32UB (ONS) E07000136 (GSS)
|blank2_name = [[British national grid reference system|OS grid reference]]
|blank2_info = 
|blank3_name = [[Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics|NUTS]] 3
|blank3_info = 
|blank4_name =
|blank4_info =

| demographics_type1 = Ethnicity ([[2021 United Kingdom census|2021]])
| demographics1_footnotes = <ref name="2021 Nomis">{{NOMIS2021|id=E07000136|title=Boston Local Authority|access-date=5 January 2024}}</ref>
| demographics1_title1 = [[Ethnic groups in the United Kingdom|Ethnic groups]]
| demographics1_info1 =
{{Collapsible list
| 94.7% [[White people in the United Kingdom|White]]
| 2% [[British Asians|Asian]]
| 1.4% [[Mixed (United Kingdom ethnicity category)|Mixed]]
| 1% [[Ethnic groups in the United Kingdom|other]]
| 0.7% [[Black British people|Black]]
}}

| demographics_type2 = Religion (2021)
| demographics2_footnotes = <ref name="2021 Nomis"/>
| demographics2_title1 = [[Religion in England|Religion]]
| demographics2_info1 =
{{Collapsible list
| 64% [[Religion in England#Christianity|Christianity]]
| 33.4% [[Irreligion in the United Kingdom|no religion]]
| 1.5% [[Islam in England|Islam]]
| 0.4% [[Hinduism in England|Hinduism]]
| 0.2% [[Buddhism in England|Buddhism]]
| 0.4% [[Religion in England|other]]
}}
}}
The '''Borough of Boston''' is a [[Non-metropolitan district|local government district]] with [[Borough status in the United Kingdom|borough status]] in [[Lincolnshire]], England. Its council is based in the town of [[Boston, Lincolnshire|Boston]]. The borough also includes numerous villages in the surrounding rural area including [[Wyberton]], [[Sutterton]], [[Algakirk]] and [[Hubberts Bridge]]. As well as [[Kirton in Holland|Kirton]], the only other town in the borough.

The borough borders [[South Holland District|South Holland]] to the south, [[North Kesteven]] to the west, and [[East Lindsey]] to the north. To the east, it has a coast onto [[the Wash]].

==History==
The town of [[Boston, Lincolnshire|Boston]] had been incorporated as an [[ancient borough]] in 1545.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Wright |first1=Neil |title=Boston's Royal Charter, 1545 |url=https://bostonstory.co.uk/chapters/11-20/11-bostons-the-royal-charter-1545/boston-royal-charter.html |website=Boston Story |access-date=23 November 2023}}</ref> It was reformed to become a [[municipal borough]] in 1836.<ref>[[Municipal Corporations Act 1835]]</ref>

The modern borough was created on 1 April 1974 under the [[Local Government Act 1972]], by merging the municipal borough of Boston with [[Boston Rural District]].<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=si|si=The English Non-metropolitan District (Definition) Order 1972|year=1972|number=2039|access-date=17 November 2023}}</ref> The new district was named Boston after its only town.<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=si|si=The English Non-metropolitan Districts (Names) Order 1973|year=1973|number=551|access-date=31 May 2023}}</ref> Boston's borough status passed to the enlarged district from its creation, allowing the chair of the council to take the title of mayor, continuing Boston's series of mayors dating back to 1545.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/written-answers/1974/mar/28/district-councils-and-boroughs#S5CV0871P0_19740328_CWA_145|title=District Councils and Boroughs|date=28 March 1974|work=[[Hansard|Parliamentary Debates (Hansard)]]|access-date=16 January 2012}}</ref> The borough covers the northern part of [[Parts of Holland|Holland]], one of the three traditional [[Parts of Lincolnshire]]. Holland had been an [[administrative county]] between 1889 and 1974.

In 2020 the council agreed to share its management and other staff with neighbouring East Lindsey District Council.<ref name=CEO/> South Holland District Council joined the partnership in 2021, which is now described as the "South and East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership".<ref>{{cite web |title=South and East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership |url=https://www.boston.gov.uk/selcp |website=Boston Borough Council |access-date=23 November 2023}}</ref>

==Governance==
{{Infobox legislature
| name = Boston Borough Council
| native_name =
| transcription_name =
| legislature =
| coa_pic =
| coa_res =
| logo_pic = Boston Borough Council logo.svg
| logo_res = 150px
| house_type = Non-metropolitan district
| body =
| houses =
| leader1_type = [[Mayors in England|Mayor]]
| leader1 = Barrie Pierpoint
| party1 = [[Independent politician|Independent]]
| election1 = 19 May 2025<ref>{{cite news |last1=Turner |first1=James |title=Former Leicester City FC chief executive elected 490th Mayor of Boston |url=https://www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk/news/local-news/former-leicester-city-fc-chief-10199482 |access-date=20 June 2025 |work=Lincolnshire Live |date=20 May 2025}}</ref>
| leader2_type = [[Leader of the council|Leader]]
| leader2 = Dale Broughton
| party2 = [[Independent politician|Independent]]
| election2 = 20 July 2025
| leader3_type = [[Chief Executive]]
| leader3 = Robert Barlow{{efn|Joint chief executive of Boston Borough Council, [[East Lindsey District Council]] and [[South Holland District Council]]}}
| party3 = 
| election3 = 1 July 2020<ref name=CEO>{{cite web |title=Council minutes, 25 June 2020 |url=https://democracy.boston.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=132&MId=1972 |website=Boston Borough Council |access-date=23 November 2023}}</ref>
| members = 30 councillors
| structure1 =
| structure1_res = 250px
| political_groups1 =
;Administration (25)
:{{nowrap|{{Color box|{{party color|Independent politician}}|border=darkgray}} [[Independent politician|Independent]] (19)}}
:{{Color box|{{party color|Conservative Party (UK)}}|border=darkgray}} [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] (4)
:{{nowrap|{{Color box|{{party color|Blue Revolution Party}}|border=darkgray}} [[Blue Revolution Party|Blue Revolution]] (1)}}
:{{nowrap|{{Color box|{{party color|Liberal Democrats (UK)}}|border=darkgray}} [[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrats]] (1)}}
;Other parties (5)
:{{nowrap|{{Color box|{{party color|Boston Independent}}|border=darkgray}} [[Boston Independent|Boston Ind.]] (3)}}
:{{nowrap|{{Color box|{{party color|Reform UK}}|border=darkgray}} [[Reform UK]] (1)}}
:{{nowrap|{{Color box|{{party color|Independent politician}}|border=darkgray}} [[Independent politician|Independent]] (1)}}
| voting_system1 = [[Plurality voting system|First past the post]]
| last_election1 = [[2023 Boston Borough Council election|4 May 2023]]
| next_election2 = 6 May 2027
| session_room = West Street, Boston (geograph 3779697).jpg
| session_res =
| meeting_place = [[Municipal Buildings, Boston|Municipal Buildings]], West Street, Boston, PE21{{nbsp}}8QR
| website = {{url|www.boston.gov.uk}}
| footnotes =
}}

[[File:Church of St Leodegar, Wyberton - geograph.org.uk - 4419926.jpg|thumb|[[Wyberton]], one of the many villages in the borough]]
Boston Borough Council provides [[Non-metropolitan district|district-level]] services. [[Non-metropolitan county|County-level]] services are provided by [[Lincolnshire County Council]]. Much of the borough is covered by [[civil parish]]es, which form a third tier of local government.<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=act|act=Local Government Act 1972|year=1972|chapter=70|access-date=31 May 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Election Maps |url=https://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/election-maps/gb/ |publisher=Ordnance Survey |access-date=21 September 2023}}</ref>

===Political control===
At the [[2023 Boston Borough Council election|2023 election]], a majority of the seats were won by local party the [[Boston Independent]]s. In July 2025, most of the party's members left to form a new Progressive Independent group, which subsequently formed a coalition with the 20-20 Independent group and the Conservatives to run the council, led by Dale Broughton of the Progressive Independent group, formerly deputy leader of the Boston Independents.<ref name=Waller/>

Political control of the council since the 1974 reforms has been as follows:<ref name=compositions>{{cite web |title=Compositions Calculator |url=https://www.electionscentre.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/composition_calc.html |access-date=21 May 2025 |website=The Elections Centre |publisher=University of Exeter}} (Put "Boston" in search box to see specific results.)</ref><ref name=gain>{{cite news| url = https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/vote2007/councils/html/32ub.stm | title = Boston | access-date = 2010-03-19 | work = [[BBC News Online]]}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
!colspan="2"|Party in control!!Years
|-
| {{Party name with colour|No overall control}} || 1974–2007
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Boston Bypass Independents}} || 2007–2011
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} || 2011–2015
|-
| {{Party name with colour|No overall control}} || 2015–2019
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} || 2019–2020
|-
| {{Party name with colour|No overall control}} || 2020–2023
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Boston Independent}} || 2023–2025
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Independent politician}} || 2025–present
|}

===Leadership===
The role of mayor is largely ceremonial in Boston. Political leadership is instead provided by the [[leader of the council]]. The leaders since 2000 have been:

{| class=wikitable
! Councillor !! colspan=2|Party !! From !! To
|-
| Joyce Dobson<ref>{{cite news |title=Acrimony as cabinet is chosen |url=https://www.findmypast.co.uk/image-viewer?issue=BL%2F0005173%2F20001109&page=2 |access-date=20 June 2025 |work=Boston Standard |date=9 November 2000 |page=2}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Cabinet minutes, 15 March 2006 |url=https://democracy.boston.gov.uk/Data/Cabinet/200604120900/Agenda/$March%20Cabinet%20Minutes.doc.pdf |website=Boston Borough Council |access-date=20 June 2025}}</ref> || {{party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} || align=right|Nov 2000 || align=right|2006
|-
| Mary Wright<ref>{{cite web |title=Councillor Mary Wright |url=http://www.boston.gov.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=669&Itemid=3351 |website=Boston Borough Council |access-date=20 June 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060927062100/http://www.boston.gov.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=669&Itemid=3351 |archive-date=27 September 2006}}</ref><ref name=race>{{cite news |title=Bypass group wins race for Boston |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/lincolnshire/6603565.stm |access-date=20 June 2025 |work=BBC News |date=4 May 2007}}</ref> || {{party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} || align=right|18 May 2006 || align=right|May 2007
|-
| Richard Austin<ref name=race/><ref>{{cite web |title=Council minutes, 24 May 2007 |url=https://democracy.boston.gov.uk/Data/Full%20Council/200705241830/Agenda/$Democratic%20Arrangements%20-%20Report%20by%20the%20Chief%20Executive.doc.pdf |website=Boston Borough Council |access-date=20 June 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Labour wins control of City of Lincoln Council |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-13275919 |access-date=20 June 2025 |work=BBC News |date=6 May 2011}}</ref> || {{party name with colour|Boston Bypass Independents}} || align=right|24 May 2007 || align=right|May 2011
|-
| Peter Bedford<ref>{{cite web |title=Council minutes, 25 May 2011 |url=https://democracy.boston.gov.uk/Data/Full%20Council/201107111830/Agenda/$Minutes%20of%20full%20Council%20of%2025%20May%202011%20%20(73KB%20Word).doc.pdf |website=Boston Borough Council |access-date=20 June 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Barker |first1=Sarah |title=Boston Borough Council to search for new leader as Peter Bedford steps down |url=https://thelincolnite.co.uk/2017/04/boston-borough-council-to-search-for-new-leader-as-councillor-peter-bedford-steps-down/ |access-date=20 June 2025 |work=The Lincolnite |date=5 April 2017}}</ref> || {{party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} || align=right|25 May 2011 || align=right|15 May 2017
|-
| Michael Cooper<ref>{{cite web |title=Council minutes, 15 May 2017 |url=https://democracy.boston.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=132&MId=941 |website=Boston Borough Council |access-date=20 June 2025}}</ref><ref name=15Jul2019/> || {{party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} || align=right|15 May 2017 || align=right|15 Jul 2019
|-
| Aaron Spencer<ref name=15Jul2019>{{cite web |title=Council minutes, 15 July 2019 |url=https://democracy.boston.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=132&MId=1486 |website=Boston Borough Council |access-date=20 June 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Hewitt |first1=Matty |title=Leader of council steps down after less than a year in charge |url=https://www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk/news/local-news/leader-council-steps-down-after-3760734 |access-date=20 June 2025 |work=Lincolnshire Live |date=21 January 2020}}</ref><ref name=3Feb2020/> || {{party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} || align=right|15 Jul 2019 || align=right|20 Jan 2020
|-
| Paul Skinner<ref name=3Feb2020>{{cite web |title=Council minutes, 3 February 2020 |url=https://democracy.boston.gov.uk/documents/s10073/Council%20Minutes%20-%203%20February%202020.pdf |website=Boston Borough Council |access-date=20 June 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Local election results 2023: Three Tory leaders toppled in Lincolnshire |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-65491300 |access-date=20 June 2025 |work=BBC News |date=5 May 2023}}</ref> || {{party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} || align=right|3 Feb 2020 || align=right|May 2023
|-
| Anne Dorrian<ref>{{cite web |title=Council minutes, 22 May 2023 |url=https://democracy.boston.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=132&MId=1972 |website=Boston Borough Council |access-date=20 June 2025}}</ref><ref name=Waller/> || {{party name with colour|Boston Independent}}s || align=right|22 May 2023 || align=right|20 Jul 2025
|-
| Dale Broughton<ref name=Waller>{{cite news |last1=Waller |first1=Jamie |title=Cabinet unveiled following council revolt |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cm20lrj0r0ko |access-date=26 July 2025 |work=BBC News |date=24 July 2025}}</ref> || {{party name with colour|Independent politician}} || align=right|20 Jul 2025 || align=right|
|}

===Composition===
Following the [[2023 Boston Borough Council election|2023 election]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/ng-interactive/2023/may/04/elections-2023-results-live-local-council-england#le-full-results|title=Local elections 2023: live council results for England|work=The Guardian}}</ref> and subsequent by-elections and changes of allegiance up to July 2025 the composition of the council was:<ref>{{cite web |title=Boston Borough Council in turmoil as majority of councillors quit ruling party|url=https://www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk/news/local-news/boston-borough-council-turmoil-majority-10346532|website=LincolnshireLive |access-date=15 July 2025}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
! colspan=2| Party
! Councillors
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Independent politician}} || align=center|20
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} || align=center|5
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Boston Independent}}s || align=center|3
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Blue Revolution Party}} || align=center|1
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Liberal Democrats (UK)}} || align=center|1
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Reform UK}} || align=center|1

|-
! colspan=2|Total !! align=center|30
|}

Fourteen of the independent councillors sit together as the "Progressive Independent" group. The Liberal Democrat, Blue Revolution councillor and five of the independent councillors sit together as the "20-20 Independent Group". The other independent does not belong to a group.<ref>{{cite web |title=Your councillors |url=https://democracy.boston.gov.uk/mgMemberIndex.aspx?FN=GROUPING&VW=LIST&PIC=0 |website=Boston Borough Council |access-date=26 July 2025}}</ref> The council is administered by a coalition of the Progressive Independents, 20-20 Independent group and the Conservatives. The next election is due in 2027.<ref>{{cite web |title=Boston |url=https://www.localcouncils.co.uk/councils/?council=boston |website=Local Councils |publisher=Thorncliffe |access-date=26 July 2025}}</ref>

===Elections===
{{also|Boston Borough Council elections}}
Since the last boundary changes in 2015 the council has comprised 30 [[councillor]]s representing 15 [[Wards and electoral divisions of the United Kingdom|wards]], with each ward electing one, two or three councillors. Elections are held every four years.<ref name=beco>{{cite legislation UK|type=si|si=The Boston (Electoral Changes) Order 2013|year=2013|number=66|access-date=23 November 2023}}</ref> A map of the wards is available,<ref>{{cite web |title=Meet Your Councillors [map] |url=https://moderngov.boston.gov.uk/documents/s12405/Councillors%20Ward%20Map.pdf |publisher=Boston Borough Council |access-date=21 October 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211028105044/https://moderngov.boston.gov.uk/documents/s12405/Councillors%20Ward%20Map.pdf |archive-date=28 October 2021}} ''NB Councillors named are as of 2021''</ref> as is a map showing the [[Local Government Boundary Commission for England]]'s final recommendations for ward boundaries, October 2012.<ref>{{cite web |title=Final recommendations for ward boundaries in the borough of Boston October 2012 |url=http://www.lgbce.org.uk/__documents/lgbce/maps/2012/boston-final/boston_f_sh1_v2_so.pdf |publisher=Local Government Boundary Commission for England |access-date=21 October 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131030204305/http://www.lgbce.org.uk/__documents/lgbce/maps/2012/boston-final/boston_f_sh1_v2_so.pdf |archive-date=30 October 2013 |date=October 2012}}</ref>

The wards, and their numbers of councillors, are:<ref name=beco />
{{div col|colwidth=24em}}
*Coastal (2)
*Fenside (2)
*Fishtoft (3)
*Five Villages (2)
*Kirton and Frampton (3)
*Old Leake and Wrangle (2)
*Skirbeck (3)
*St Thomas' (1)
*Staniland (2)
*Station (1)
*Swineshead and Holland Fen (2)
*Trinity (2)
*West (1)
*Witham (2)
*Wyberton (2)
{{Div col end}}

===Premises===
The council is based at the [[Municipal Buildings, Boston|Municipal Buildings]] on West Street in Boston.<ref>{{cite web |title=Contacting the council |url=https://www.boston.gov.uk/article/20674/Contacting-the-Council |website=Boston Borough Council |access-date=23 November 2023}}</ref> The building was built in 1902 for the old borough council to the designs of architect James Rowell.<ref>{{cite web |title=Building record MLI98391 - Municipal Offices, West Street, Boston |url=https://heritage-explorer.lincolnshire.gov.uk/Monument/MLI98391 |website=Lincolnshire Heritage Explorer |publisher=Lincolnshire County Council |access-date=23 November 2023}}</ref>

==Parishes==
[[File:Kirton Town Hall (geograph 5568606).jpg|thumb|[[Kirton, Lincolnshire|Kirton]], the only other town of the borough]]
Much of the borough is covered by [[civil parish]]es, the exception being the pre-1974 municipal borough of Boston, which is an [[unparished area]]. The parishes are:<ref>{{cite web |title=Parish council contact details |url=https://democracy.boston.gov.uk/mgParishCouncilDetails.aspx?bcr=1 |website=Boston Borough Council |access-date=23 November 2023}}</ref>
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
*[[Algakirk]]
*[[Amber Hill]]
*[[Benington, Lincolnshire|Benington]]
*[[Bicker, Lincolnshire|Bicker]]
*[[Butterwick, Lincolnshire|Butterwick]]
*[[Fishtoft]]
*[[Fosdyke]]
*[[Frampton, Lincolnshire|Frampton]]
*[[Freiston]]
*[[Holland Fen with Brothertoft]]
*[[Kirton, Lincolnshire|Kirton]]
*[[Leverton, Lincolnshire|Leverton]]
*[[Old Leake]]
*[[Sutterton]]
*[[Swineshead, Lincolnshire|Swineshead]]
*[[Wigtoft]]
*[[Wrangle, Lincolnshire|Wrangle]]
*[[Wyberton]]
{{div col end}}

==2016 EU referendum==
{{See also|Results of the 2016 United Kingdom European Union membership referendum}}
On 23 June 2016 the Borough of Boston voted in the [[2016 United Kingdom European Union membership referendum|UK-wide Referendum]] on membership of the [[European Union]] (EU) under the provisions of the [[European Union Referendum Act 2015]]. In a turnout of 77%, over 75% voted to leave the EU, the highest leave majority of the 382 UK voting areas.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-eu-referendum-36616747|title=BBC News, 24 June 2016: England's most pro and anti-EU boroughs|work=BBC News |date=10 September 2020}}</ref> The local MP [[Matt Warman]], a Conservative, had campaigned for a "Remain" vote.<ref name="thespectatorwhichtorympsbackbrexit">{{cite news|last1=Goodenough|first1=Tom|title=Which Tory MPs back Brexit.|url=http://blogs.spectator.co.uk/2016/02/which-tory-mps-back-brexit-who-doesnt-and-who-is-still-on-the-fence/|access-date=10 September 2020|work=The Spectator|date=10 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170203120144/http://blogs.spectator.co.uk/2016/02/which-tory-mps-back-brexit-who-doesnt-and-who-is-still-on-the-fence/|archive-date=3 February 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:right; font-size:100%;"
|-
| colspan="4" bgcolor="#E9E9E9" align="center" |'''United Kingdom European Union membership referendum, 2016''' Borough of Boston
|- bgcolor="#09a8ff" align="center"
! align="left" colspan="2" width="300" | Choice
! width="80" | Votes
! width="50" | %
|-
| bgcolor="#0069b5" |
| align="left" | '''Leave the European Union'''
| '''22,974''' || '''75.56%'''
|-
| width="1" bgcolor="#ffcc08" |
| align="left" | Remain a member of the European Union
| 7,430 || 24.44%
|-
| colspan="4" bgcolor="#E9E9E9" |
|-
| align="left" colspan="2" | Valid votes
| 30,404 || 99.96%
|-
| align="left" colspan="2" | Invalid or blank votes
| 12 || 0.04%
|-
|- style="font-weight:bold;"
| align="left" colspan="2" | Total votes
| 30,416 || 100.00%
|-
| colspan="4" bgcolor="#E9E9E9" |
|-
| align="left" colspan="2" | Registered voters and turnout
| 39,963 || 77.27%
|}

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width:600px; text-align:center;"
|+ Borough of Boston referendum result (without spoiled ballots):
|-
| style="width:75.6%; background:#0069b5; color:white;|'''Leave:''' '''''22,974''''' '''(75.6%)'''
| style="width:24.4%; background:#ffc010"| Remain: ''7,430'' (24.4%)
|-
| colspan=4 style="text-align: center; line-height: 32.1%;" | '''▲'''
|}

[[File:Crop of brassica near Swineshead, Lincolnshire - geograph.org.uk - 4224584.jpg|thumb|[[Swineshead, Lincolnshire|Swineshead]], one of the many villages of the borough]]

==Freedom of the Borough==
The following people and military units have received the [[Freedom of the City|Freedom of the Borough]] of Boston.

{{Incomplete list|date=November 2021}}

===Individuals===
* [[Professor]] [[Jonathan Van-Tam|Sir Jonathan Van-Tam]]: 21 March 2022.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvxxpy59njeo |title=Prof Van-Tam to be given freedom of Boston |date=1 November 2021 |publisher=BBC News |access-date=3 November 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Professor Jonathan Van-Tam to be honoured with Freedom of Boston Borough |url=https://www.mybostonuk.com/professor-jonathan-van-tam-to-be-honoured-with-freedom-of-boston-borough/ |website=My Boston UK |access-date=3 November 2021 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk/news/local-news/jonathan-van-tam-deeply-humbled-6837264 |title=Jonathan Van-Tam deeply humbled and shocked to receive freedom of Boston accolade |last=Whitelam |first=Paul |date=21 March 2022 |website=Lincolnshire Live |access-date=21 March 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Jonathan Van-Tam granted freedom of Boston in ceremony |work=BBC News Lincolnshire |date=21 March 2022 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-60826339 |access-date=22 March 2022 |language=en}}</ref>
* David Medlock: 17 April 2023.<ref>{{cite web |title=David Medlock granted Freedom of Boston Borough at ceremony |url=https://lincolnshiretoday.net/mag/david-medlock-granted-freedom-of-boston-borough-at-ceremony/ |website=Lincolnshire Today |date=19 April 2023 |access-date=22 April 2023 |language=en}}</ref>

===Military Units===
* [[RAF Coningsby]]: 16 May 1963.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.raf.mod.uk/news/archive/freedom-of-boston-parade-2015-26062015 |title=RAF website: Freedom of Boston Parade. Archived copy|access-date=10 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304070053/http://www.raf.mod.uk/news/archive/freedom-of-boston-parade-2015-26062015 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Arms==
{{Infobox COA wide
|escutcheon = Or on a chevron Azure three coronets each composed of crosses paty and fleurs-de-lys Or on a chief Sable a garb between two pairs of windmill sails also Or.
|crest = On a wreath of the colours a demi-lion Or holding between the forepaws a woolsack Proper charged with a ram couchant Or.
|supporters = On either side a mermaid Proper crined and finned Or upon a compartment of waves barry wavy Azure and Argent.
|motto = Serve With Amnity<ref>{{cite web|url=http://civicheraldry.co.uk/east_midlands.html |title=East Midlands Region |accessdate=5 March 2021 |publisher=Civic Heraldry of England}}</ref>}}

==References==
{{notelist}}
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Borough of Boston|Boston}}

{{East_Midlands}}
{{Lincolnshire}}
{{Authority control}}

{{Coord|52.95|-0.15|region:GB_type:adm3rd|display=title}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Boston, Borough of}}
[[Category:Borough of Boston| ]]
[[Category:Non-metropolitan districts of Lincolnshire]]
[[Category:Local government districts of the East Midlands]]
[[Category:Boroughs in England]]

Borough of Boston - Revision history

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