1974 Strathclyde Regional Council election

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1974 Strathclyde Regional Council election
7 May 1974 (1974-05-07) 1978  →
All 103 seats to Strathclyde Regional Council
52 seats needed for a majority
Registered1,773,010
Turnout51.7%
 First partySecond partyThird party
 
Lab
Con
SNP
LeaderDick Stewart
Party Labour Conservative SNP
Seats won71205
Popular vote388,480250,719132,871
Percentage44.0%28.4%15.1%
Council Leader after election


Labour

Elections to Strathclyde Regional Council were held on Tuesday 7 May 1974, on the same day as the eight other Scottish regional elections. This was the first election to the regional council following the implementation of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973.

Contents

The election used the 103 electoral divisions created by the Formation Electoral Arrangements in 1974. Each electoral division elected one councillor using first-past-the-post voting. [1]

Labour took control of the regional council after winning a large majority of the seats. The party won 71 of the 103 seats and took 44% of the popular vote. The Conservatives were the second-largest party after winning 20 seats. The Scottish National Party (SNP) came third in the popular vote and took five seats. The Liberal Party took two seats while the other five were won by independent candidates.

Background

Prior to reform, local government in Scotland was made up of a system of counties and burghs. County councils controlled most of the local government functions across the country while the burghs had limited powers over smaller geographical areas. Small burghs had some control over planning as well as local taxation, building control, housing, lighting and drainage while large burghs also had further powers over the police, public health, social services, registration of births, marriages and deaths and electoral registration. [2]

Following the recommendations in the Wheatly Report, the old system of counties and burghs – which had resulted in a mishmash of local government areas in which some small burghs had larger populations but far fewer responsibilities than some large burghs and even counties [2] – was to be replaced by a new system of regional and district councils.

The area that was to become Strathclyde was made up of the former counties of Ayrshire, Buteshire, Dunbartonshire, Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire in full as well as the City of Glasgow, most of Argyll and part of Stirlingshire. [2]

Results

1974 Strathclyde Regional Council election
PartySeatsGainsLossesNet gain/lossSeats %Votes %Votes+/−
  Labour 71Steady2.svg68.944.0388,480Steady2.svg
  Conservative 20Steady2.svg19.428.4250,719Steady2.svg
  SNP 5Steady2.svg4.915.1132,871Steady2.svg
  Independent 5Steady2.svg4.94.943,227Steady2.svg
  Liberal 2Steady2.svg1.94.539,839Steady2.svg
  Communist 0Steady2.svg0.01.210,437Steady2.svg
  Ind. Conservative 0Steady2.svg0.00.54,764Steady2.svg
  Independent Labour 0Steady2.svg0.00.54,708Steady2.svg
  Independent Progressive 0Steady2.svg0.00.43,778Steady2.svg
  Independent Socialist 0Steady2.svg0.00.32,746Steady2.svg
 Paisley Local0Steady2.svg0.00.11,043Steady2.svg
 Socialist Workers Republican0Steady2.svg0.00.0140Steady2.svg
Total103 882,752

Source: [3]

Electoral division results

Argyll District

1. Kintyre
PartyCandidateVotes%
Conservative J. McCorkindale 2,520 51.6
Labour D. McMillan1,55031.7
Liberal C. MacEchern81716.7
Majority97019.9
Turnout 4,88759.5
Conservative win (new seat)
2. Mid Argyll and Islay
PartyCandidateVotes%
Conservative A. Jackson 1,588 31.7
Liberal W. Pollock1,40228.0
Independent F. Spears1,07521.5
Labour J. Stewart94618.9
Majority1863.7
Turnout 5,01152.4
Conservative win (new seat)
3. Lorn
PartyCandidateVotes%
Independent D. Webster 2,593 45.0
Liberal Janet Michie2,22938.7
Labour G. MacKechnie93816.3
Majority3646.3
Turnout 5,76055.9
Independent win (new seat)
4. Bute and West Cowal
PartyCandidateVotes%
Conservative J. McMillan 2,968 67.9
Independent D. McIntyre76217.4
Labour H. McGill64114.7
Majority2,20650.5
Turnout 4,37150.9
Conservative win (new seat)
5. Dunoon and East Cowal
PartyCandidateVotes%
Conservative L. Hinge 1,635 29.8
Independent T. Henderson1,35024.6
Independent T. Crompton86415.7
Independent J. Mackinnon73513.4
Independent T. Trapp34811.8
Labour Isobel Coxon2624.8
Majority2855.2
Turnout 5,49461.7
Conservative win (new seat)

Dumbarton District

6. Dumbarton
PartyCandidateVotes%
Labour I. Macduff 6,523 65.8
Conservative J. Miller3,39834.4
Majority3,12531.4
Turnout 9,92154.5
Labour win
7. Helensburgh
PartyCandidateVotes%
Independent W. Petrie 5,869 58.8
Conservative N. Glen3,17431.8
Labour Gillian Carr9349.4
Majority2,69527.0
Turnout 9,97760.6
Independent win
8. Vale of Leven
PartyCandidateVotes%
Labour M. Haran 4,867 46.1
SNP W. Dick3,44432.6
Conservative E. Denny1,89818.0
Communist A. Bellingham3553.4
Majority1,42313.5
Turnout 10,56460.6
Labour win

City of Glasgow District

9. Tollcross/ Parkhead
PartyCandidateVotes%
Labour G. McClure 5,111 50.7
SNP B. Nugent2,49824.8
Conservative A. Scott2,34323.2
Communist W. Kennedy1341.3
Majority2,61325.9
Turnout 10,56447.3
Labour win
10. Carntyne/ Camlachie
PartyCandidateVotes%
Labour D. Marshall 4,030 57.2
SNP N. Logan1,72524.5
Conservative R.B May1,18716.8
Communist D. McGregor1071.5
Majority2,30532.7
Turnout 7,04941.9
Labour win
11. Easterhouse/ Garthamlock
PartyCandidateVotes%
Labour T. Fulton 4,251 57.8
SNP T. Murray2,33131.7
Conservative R.J. Howie4686.4
Communist J. Jackson3104.2
Majority1,92026.1
Turnout 7,36035.5
Labour win
12. Wellhouse/ Queenslie
PartyCandidateVotes%
Labour A.J. Long 4,402 57.6
SNP W. Lindsay2,62634.4
Conservative G.R. McKay5016.6
Communist K. Haldane1101.4
Majority1,77623.2
Turnout 7,63945.9
Labour win
13.Riddrie/ Lethamhill
PartyCandidateVotes%
Labour Agnes L. Ballantyne 4,281 60.7
SNP G. Wotherspoon2,16727.3
Conservative G. Bryce1,48718.7
Majority2,11433.4
Turnout 7,93545.9
Labour win
14. City/ Townhead
PartyCandidateVotes%
Labour W. Lindsay 3,362 69.7
Conservative W.G. Mackay73415.2
SNP J. Gilmer72615.1
Majority2,62854.5
Turnout 4,82241.0
Labour win
15.Calton/ Dalmarnock
PartyCandidateVotes%
Labour T. McLaren 3,169 60.7
SNP H. MacQueen74414.3
Conservative A. Alexander68613.1
Liberal W. Gibson Knight62211.9
Majority2,42546.4
Turnout 5,22138.8
Labour win
16. Balornock/ Robroyston
PartyCandidateVotes%
Labour P. Trainer 4,550 53.8
SNP W. Morton2,94234.8
Conservative T. Herriot8199.7
Communist N. McLellan1461.7
Majority1,60819.0
Turnout 8,45747.4
Labour win
Ward 17. Cowlairs/ Petershill
PartyCandidateVotes%
Labour R. Gould 2,895 57.8
SNP J. Young1,48329.6
Conservative J. Miller56811.3
Communist Jean Maitland611.2
Majority1,41228.2
Turnout 5,00742.3
Labour win
18. Milnbank/ Dennistoun
PartyCandidateVotes%
Labour P. McEachran 3,988 44.5
Conservative J.C. Gilbert2,64429.5
SNP J.C. Donaldson2,22924.9
Communist R. Irving1001.1
Majority1,34415.0
Turnout 8,96149.2
Labour win
19. Summerston/ Wyndford
PartyCandidateVotes%
Labour L. McGarry 4,775 66.7
Conservative S. Taylor2,18330.5
Communist I. Wilson2032.8
Majority2,59236.2
Turnout 7,16144.3
Labour win
20. Ruchill/ Milton
PartyCandidateVotes%
Labour G. McGrath 4,182 53.3
SNP A. McIntosh2,77835.4
Conservative Harriet Paterson7789.9
Communist M. Meers1051.3
Majority1,40417.9
Turnout 7,84347.1
Labour win
21. Possilpark/Cowcaddens
PartyCandidateVotes%
Labour W. Harley 4,636 59.3
SNP J. Brown2,40030.7
Conservative A.T. Rennie6468.3
Communist J.O. Foster1371.8
Majority1,40428.6
Turnout 7,81942.2
Labour win
22. Botanic Gardens/ Park
PartyCandidateVotes%
Conservative J.G. Rennie 3,745 58.2
Labour R. Higgins2,69241.8
Majority1,05316.4
Turnout 6,43744.6
Conservative win
23. Kelvin/Woodside
PartyCandidateVotes%
Labour J. Gray 2,667 49.8
Conservative Mary Goldie1,96836.8
Independent Progressive W.M. Hutcheson4768.9
Scottish Workers Republican PartyW. Montgomery1402.6
Communist P. Noon1031.9
Majority69913.0
Turnout 4,35445.6
Labour win
24. Partick East/ Anderston
PartyCandidateVotes%
Labour M.R. Green 3,248 40.5
Conservative H.J. McGoldrick2,65433.1
SNP C. Mackellar1,93024.1
Communist W.S. McFall1792.2
Majority5947.4
Turnout 8,01149.8
Labour win
25. Anniesland/Kelvinside
PartyCandidateVotes%
Conservative L.M. Turple 5,127 49.1
Liberal Louise Steedman3,40532.6
Labour Judith Wilkinson9729.3
SNP Elizabeth A. Robinson9379.0
Majority1,72216.5
Turnout 10,44156.8
Conservative win
26. Scotstoun/ Partick West
PartyCandidateVotes%
Conservative Janet S.B. Browning 5,331 40.2
SNP J. Hannah3,01922.8
Liberal I. McTavish8306.3
Majority1,25017.4
Turnout 13,26056.9
Conservative win
27. Drumry/ Summerhill
PartyCandidateVotes%
Labour J. Hemphill 4,282 57,4
SNP I. Cameron2,44332.7
Conservative W. Aitken5747.7
Communist S. Barr1662.2
Majority1,83924.7
Turnout 7,46541.7
Labour win
28. Blairdardie/ Knightscliffe
PartyCandidateVotes%
Labour D. McColl 3,883 42.8
SNP A. Gorman3,01933.3
Conservative G.A. Kidd2,03622.5
Communist J. Moffat1291.4
Majority8649.5
Turnout 9,06752.8
Labour win
29. Yoker/ Knightswood
PartyCandidateVotes%
Labour W. Perry 4,866 49.1
SNP R. Thomson2,89029.1
Conservative A. Rogers1,96519.8
Communist P. Morton1952.0
Majority1,97620.0
Turnout 9,91650.5
Labour win
30. Gorbals/ Hutchesontown
PartyCandidateVotes%
Labour J. Wray 4,760 63.3
SNP G. Baird1,52320.2
Conservative A. Green96012.8
Communist J. Kray2823.8
Majority3,23743.1
Turnout 7,52540.2
Labour win
31. Crosshill/ Prospecthill
PartyCandidateVotes%
Labour G.M. Shaw 4,508 45.4
Conservative L. Dorfman2,74827.6
SNP D.G. MacKellar2,54625.6
Communist A. Stewart1391.4
Majority1,76017.8
Turnout 9,94149.7
Labour win
32. Drumoyne/ Fairfield
PartyCandidateVotes%
Labour R. McClement 4,056 50.2
SNP T.M. Wilson2,85235.3
Conservative Christine Brotherston1,09613.6
Communist R. Mitchell791.0
Majority1,20414.9
Turnout 8,08349.4
Labour win
33. Ibrox/ Kingston
PartyCandidateVotes%
Labour D. Deans 3,368 48.0
SNP C. McKenna2,51933.3
Conservative D. Sinnott1,41718.7
Majority1,11914.7
Turnout 7,57448.2
Labour win
34. Hillington/ Bellahouston
PartyCandidateVotes%
Labour J.F. McLean 6,487 46.6
Conservative R. Anderson4,75634.2
SNP Shiela Watterson2,51018.0
Communist G. Neaven1731.2
Majority1,73112.4
Turnout 13,92657.9
Labour win
35. Cardonald/ Crookston
PartyCandidateVotes%
Labour W. Timoney 5,755 53.6
Conservative M. Reilly2,60824.3
SNP D. McBain2,21120.6
Communist R.M. Rigby1551.4
Majority3,14729.3
Turnout 7,52540.2
Labour win
36. Pollockshields/ Strathbungo
PartyCandidateVotes%
Conservative J. Mair 5,720 55.9
Labour E. Clark2,05921.8
SNP G. Leslie1,75718.6
Liberal W.C. Todd3473.7
Majority3,21134.1
Turnout 9,43352.5
Conservative win
37. Camphill/ Pollockshaws
PartyCandidateVotes%
Conservative Anna Douglas 4,576 40.9
Labour J.D. Cannell3,76633.7
SNP R. Hamilton2,20019.7
Liberal R. McIntyre5625.0
Communist A. Elliot720.6
Majority8107.2
Turnout 11,17657.5
Conservative win
38. Nitshill/ Darnley
PartyCandidateVotes%
Labour Jean Craig 6,071 61.4
SNP D. Murchie2,75927.9
Conservative Jan Goudie8738.8
Communist G. Currie1811.8
Majority3,31233.5
Turnout 9,88444.9
Labour win
39. Newlands/ Mt.Florida
PartyCandidateVotes%
Conservative J. Hicks 6,867 73.8
Labour H. McEachan2,44326.2
Majority4,42447.6
Turnout 9,31060.6
Conservative win
40. Kings Park/ Castlemilk
PartyCandidateVotes%
Labour T. Muir 3,668 41.0
Conservative N.D. Smith3,50139.2
SNP A. Carmichael1,33915.0
Liberal Christine Forest3263.7
Communist L. Raeburn1081.2
Majority1671.8
Turnout 8,94250.9
Labour win
41. Linn/ Cathkin
PartyCandidateVotes%
Labour J. Fitch 4,148 50.8
Conservative Christine MacInnes2,70924.3
SNP A. Ogg1,16914.3
Communist A. Hamilton1351.7
Majority1,43917.6
Turnout 8,16148.5
Labour win
42. Rutherglen
PartyCandidateVotes%
Labour D. Walker 4,324 40.6
Conservative Janet W. Nairn3,79735.6
SNP Heather Ewing2,53823.8
Majority5275.0
Turnout 10,65955.7
Labour win
43. Baillieston
PartyCandidateVotes%
Labour C. McNicol 4,895 52.3
Conservative H. Clark4,46947.7
Majority4264.6
Turnout 9,36452.6
Labour win
44. Cambuslang
PartyCandidateVotes%
Conservative Bunty Gunn 6,404 45.4
Labour J. Aiton5,21136.9
SNP Christine Latta2,50217.7
Majority1,1938.5
Turnout 14,11756.6
Conservative win

Clydebank District

45. Clydebank & Kilpatrick South
PartyCandidateVotes%
Labour M. Turner 6,300 54.3
SNP D. McKenzie4,70040.5
Communist E. Kelly6065.2
Majority1,60013.8
Turnout 11,60655.8
Labour win
46. Clydebank & Kilpatrick North
PartyCandidateVotes%
Labour W. Worthington 5,820 49.2
Independent Progressive A. Lawson3,30227.9
Communist J. Reid2,70022.8
Majority2,51821.3
Turnout 11,82260.7
Labour win

Bearsden & Milngavie District

47. Milngavie/ Kilmardinny
PartyCandidateVotes%
Independent J.G. Breckenridge 3,304 42.0
Conservative A.I. McAlpine2,60633.1
Labour R.E. Black1,41618.0
Liberal T.C. Harvey5456.9
Majority6988.9
Turnout 7,86166.2
Independent win
48. Bearsden
PartyCandidateVotes%
Conservative W. Boyle 5,149 59.3
Independent J.F. Doig2,58529.8
Liberal J.A. Thompson95611.0
Majority2,56429.5
Turnout 8,69061.1
Conservative win

Bishopbriggs & Kirkintilloch District

49. Kirkintilloch
PartyCandidateVotes%
SNP J. Lucas 4,169 36.8
Labour E. McGaughrin3,50230.9
Conservative D. Donovan2,82424.9
Liberal Marguerite Turcan8367.4
Majority6675.9
Turnout 11,33164.8
SNP win
50. Bishopbriggs
PartyCandidateVotes%
Independent J. Proctor 3,538 32.9
Labour G. Scobie2,74025.5
Conservative N. McCune2,26421.1
SNP G. Paterson2,19920.5
Majority7987.4
Turnout 10,74161.1
Independent win
51. Chryston & Kelvin Valley
PartyCandidateVotes%
Labour C. Gray 5,223 50.7
SNP Esther McKean5,08649.3
Majority1371.4
Turnout 10,30963.3
Labour win

Cumbernauld District

52. Cumbernauld South & East
PartyCandidateVotes%
SNP G. Murray 5,268 56.3
Labour Agnes McLean4,08843.7
Majority1,18012.6
Turnout 9,35657.6
SNP win
Kilsyth & Cumbernauld North West
PartyCandidateVotes%
SNP Janette Jones 4,651 50.5
Labour A. Houston4,12844.9
Liberal C. Hall4244.6
Majority5235.6
Turnout 9,20358.9
SNP win

Monklands District

54. Coatbridge West
PartyCandidateVotes%
Labour J. Whelan 5,577 55.2
Conservative Florence Inglis4,52944.8
Majority1,04810.4
Turnout 10,10655.1
Labour win
55. Coatbridge East
PartyCandidateVotes%
Labour Charlotte Toal 3,981 47.2
Conservative G. Hill2,67631.7
Independent Labour H. Hendrie1,78521.1
Majority1,30515.5
Turnout 8,44253.4
Labour win
56. Airdrie East
PartyCandidateVotes%
Labour R. Stewart 4,482 39.1
Conservative J. Crichton3,51230.7
Independent J. Brunton1,98617.3
SNP J. Russell1,48012.9
Majority9708.4
Turnout 11,46060.0
Labour win
57. Airdrie West
PartyCandidateVotes%
Labour J. Donnelly 5,141 54.0
Conservative J. Murdoch4,37846.0
Majority7638.0
Turnout 9,51948.4
Labour win

Motherwell District

58. Dalziel
PartyCandidateVotes%
Labour B. Scott 4,816 47.8
Conservative E.C. Houston3,33733.1
Communist J. Sneddon1,92819.1
Majority1,47914.7
Turnout 10,07150.5
Labour win
59. Wishaw
PartyCandidateVotes%
Labour J. Gibson 4,424 59.3
Conservative M. Morrison3,03240.7
Majority1,39218.6
Turnout 7,45643.9
Labour win
60. Clydevale
PartyCandidateVotes%
Labour J. Fyfe 4,873 63.8
Conservative T. Lannigan2,76036.2
Majority2,11327.6
Turnout 7,63346.2
Labour win
61. Fortissat
PartyCandidateVotes%
Labour J. Burns Unopposed N/A
MajorityN/AN/A
Turnout N/AN/A
Labour win
62. Bellshill & Tannochside
PartyCandidateVotes%
Labour R. Stewart 4,482 39.1
Conservative J. Crichton3,51230.7
Independent J. Brunton1,98617.3
SNP J. Russell1,48012.9
Majority9708.4
Turnout 11,46060.0
Labour win
63. Clydesdale
PartyCandidateVotes%
Labour E. Myles 4,870 54.2
SNP R. Hendrie2,74630.5
Conservative M. Jeffrey96610.7
Communist D. Bolton4104.6
Majority2,12423.7
Turnout 8,99249.1
Labour win

Kilmarnock North

Kilmarnock North
PartyCandidateVotes%
Labour J. Hunter 5,541 59.2
Conservative R. Ledgerwood2,31024.7
Liberal A. Korn1,07611.5
Independent Labour B. Mitchell4294.6
Majority3,23134.5
Turnout 9,35645.9
Registered electors 20,616
Labour win (new seat)

Source: [3]

Kilmarnock South

Kilmarnock South
PartyCandidateVotes%
Labour W. McCulloch 4,673 47.2
Conservative W. Adams4,06741.1
Liberal N. Tosh1,15411.7
Majority6066.1
Turnout 9,89450.6
Registered electors 19,746
Labour win (new seat)

Source: [3]

Stewarton and Irvine Valley

Stewarton and Irvine Valley
PartyCandidateVotes%
Labour J. McChristie 5,927 55.1
Conservative A. Foote2,91227.1
Liberal A. Wight1,91717.8
Majority3,01528.0
Turnout 10,75653.5
Registered electors 20,281
Labour win (new seat)

Source: [3]

Cumnock

Cumnock
PartyCandidateVotes%
Labour W. PatersonUnopposed
Registered electors 16,182
Labour win (new seat)

Source: [3]

New Cumnock and Doon Valley

New Cumnock and Doon Valley
PartyCandidateVotes%
Labour W. GoudieUnopposed
Registered electors 17,684
Labour win (new seat)

Source: [3]

References

  1. ↑ "Formation Electoral Arrangements". Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 "Information Paper Local government in Scotland: before 1975" (PDF). Boundaries Scotland. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Botchel, J. M.; Denver, D. T. (1975). The Scottish Local Government Elections 1974: Results and Statistics (PDF). Edinburgh: Scottish Academic Press. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
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