1977 Midlothian District Council election

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The 1977 Midlothian District Council Election was held in May 1977, the same day as the other Scottish local government elections. This was the second election for the Midlothian District Council, and constituted the only time in the District Council's 21-year existence that Labour failed to win a majority of the seats. It would take 30 years, until the 2007 Midlothian Council election and the introduction of the use of STV in local elections, for the SNP to win as many councillors again in Midlothian.

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In the ward of Bonnyrigg South, the SNP and Labour candidates tied for votes. As a result, the winner was decided by means of drawing cards. Robert Mathieson, the Labour candidate, drew a 10 of Diamonds, losing the seat to the SNP's Francis Rigby, who drew an Ace of Diamonds. With the loss of Bonnyrigg South, Labour were left with only 7 of the councils 15 seats, losing them control of the council. [1]

Election results

Midlothian Local Election Result 1977 [2]
PartySeatsGainsLossesNet gain/lossSeats %Votes %Votes+/−
  Labour 7Decrease2.svg441.49,286Decrease2.svg8.8
  SNP 5Increase2.svg430.56,844Increase2.svg15.7
  Conservative 2Steady2.svg020.34,548Increase2.svg3.6
  Independent 1Steady2.svg04.91,097Decrease2.svg13.0
  Communist 000N/A0.00.7164New
  Liberal 000N/A0.00.499New
  Other parties 000Steady2.svg00.01.7372

Ward results

References