1981 Belfast City Council election

Last updated

1981 Belfast City Council election
Flag of Belfast.svg
  1977 20 May 1981 1985  

All 51 seats to Belfast City Council
26 seats needed for a majority
 First partySecond partyThird party
 
Party DUP UUP Alliance
Seats won15137
Seat changeIncrease2.svg 8Decrease2.svg 2Decrease2.svg 6

 Fourth partyFifth partySixth party
 
Party SDLP People's Democracy Irish Republican Socialist
Seats won622
Seat changeDecrease2.svg 2Increase2.svg 2Increase2.svg 2

 Seventh partyEighth partyNinth party
 
Party PUP Ulster Democratic Unionist Party NI
Seats won111
Seat changeIncrease2.svg 1Increase2.svg 1Decrease2.svg 1

Lord Mayor before election

John Carson
UUP

Lord Mayor

Grace Bannister
UUP

Elections to Belfast City Council were held on 20 May 1981 on the same day as the other Northern Irish local government elections. The election used nine district electoral areas to elect a total of 51 councillors, most representing the more heavily populated north and west.

Contents

The DUP became the largest party, overtaking the UUP, while Grace Bannister from the UUP became the first female Lord Mayor.

Election results

Belfast Local Election Result 1981 [1]
PartySeatsGainsLossesNet gain/lossSeats %Votes %Votes+/−
  DUP 1580Increase2.svg829.425.833,433Increase2.svg12.5
  UUP 1313Decrease2.svg225.523.730,685Decrease2.svg3.1
  Alliance 706Decrease2.svg613.713.217,164Decrease2.svg5.4
  SDLP 602Decrease2.svg211.814.118,227Decrease2.svg4.5
  People's Democracy 220Increase2.svg23.93.74,734New
  Irish Republican Socialist 220Increase2.svg23.92.63,418New
  Ulster Democratic 110Increase2.svg10.02.32,989New
  PUP 110.0Increase2.svg12.01.92,434New
  Unionist Party NI 101Decrease2.svg12.02.22,859Decrease2.svg2.8
  Ind. Unionist 101Decrease2.svg12.01.92,540Decrease2.svg2.2
  Independent Socialist 110Increase2.svg12.01.51,884Increase2.svg1.4
  Anti H-Block 110Increase2.svg12.00.81,070New
  Republican Clubs 003Decrease2.svg30.03.94,993Decrease2.svg0.8
  NI Labour 000Steady2.svg00.01.41,824Decrease2.svg1.2
  Independent 001Decrease2.svg10.00.7933Decrease2.svg2.5
  UPUP 000Steady2.svg00.00.1187New
  Independent Nationalist 000Steady2.svg00.00.1167Increase2.svg0.1
  Communist 000Steady2.svg00.00.197Steady2.svg0.0

Note: "Votes" are the first preference votes.

Districts summary

[1]

Results of the Belfast City Council election, 1981
by district
Ward %
Cllrs
 %
Cllrs
 %
Cllrs
 %
Cllrs
 %
Cllrs
 %
Cllrs
 %
Cllrs
 %
Cllrs
 %
Cllrs
 %
Cllrs
Total
Cllrs
DUP UUP Alliance SDLP PD IRSP UDP UPNI PUP Others
Area A39.3333.5312.119.200.000.000.000.000.005.907
Area B33.5226.8223.021.100.000.002.0011.010.002.607
Area C21.6233.6228.629.400.000.000.003.300.003.306
Area D0.003.305.3044.8317.0110.910.000.000.0018.716
Area E35.1222.125.803.500.000.006.500.0011.1015.916
Area F26.4218.4110.0120.810.0015.210.000.000.009.306
Area G24.8217.713.107.5019.610.0014.310.000.0013.006
Area H21.7227.4211.5119.610.000.000.000.002.5017.317
Total25.81523.71313.2714.163.722.622.312.211.9110.5351

District results

Area A

1977: 2 x UUP, 2 x DUP, 2 x Alliance, 1 x SDLP
1981: 3 x DUP, 3 x UUP, 1 x Alliance
1977-1981 Change: DUP and UUP gain from Alliance and SDLP

Area A - 7 seats [2]
PartyCandidateFPv%Count
123456789101112131415
DUP John Foster18.32%3,333              
UUP Jeremy Burchill 14.23%2,589              
DUP Raymond McCrea *12.87%2,342              
DUP Sammy Wilson 8.13%1,4792,431.64             
UUP Grace Bannister *11.29%2,0552,081.88 2,202 2,265 2,285.64          
Alliance Donnell Deeny 7.91%1,4391,440.92 1,447.52 1,449.41 1,450.05 1,460.09 1,464.57 1,477.81 1,553.17 1,560.49 1,645.85 1,657.44 2,463.44  
UUP William Blair*4.95%900918.56 1,024.64 1,054.7 1,067.14 1,072.27 1,101.76 1,211.3 1,250.36 1,250.36 1,258.63 1,742.86 1,793.34 1,936.94 1,944.62
SDLP Alasdair McDonnell*6.94%1,2621,263.6 1,263.84 1,264.02 1,264.34 1,272.66 1,272.66 1,273.66 1,291.66 1,660.75 1,856.1 1,856.27 1,889.76 1,932.16 1,932.16
Alliance Mervyn Jones4.21%766771.44 770.16 779.69 781.21 787.21 791.6 808.62 907.05 913.05 964.37 984.13    
UUP Tony Wilkins2.99%544569.28 611.76 634.26 645.94 650.19 669.27 721.95 733.24 734.24 736.33     
Republican Clubs Francis Cullen2.30%418419.28 419.52 419.88 419.88 445.01 446.33 446.76 467.3 483.3      
SDLP Patrick McGourty2.25%410410.64 410.76 410.85 410.89 412.89 412.89 412.89 419.98       
NI Labour Derek Peters1.52%276278.24 278.72 279.44 279.8 297.89 306.35 310.55        
UPUP Benjamin Horan1.03%187196.28 206.12 223.31 228.67 230.67 239.44         
Independent John McKeague0.54%99103.8 107.88 116.34 120.94 126.26          
Communist James Stewart 0.25%9798.92 99.52 100.15 100.51           
Electorate: 31,215  Valid: 18,196 (58.29%)  Spoilt: 937  Quota: 2,275  Turnout: 19,133 (61.29%)  

    Area B

    1977: 3 x UUP, 2 x Alliance, 1 x DUP, 1 x UPNI
    1981: 2 x DUP, 2 x UUP, 1 x Alliance, 1 x UPNI
    1977-1981 Change: DUP gain from UUP

    Area B - 7 seats [2]
    PartyCandidateFPv%Count
    12345678910
    Alliance Oliver Napier *12.41%2,6312,719        
    Alliance Michael Brown*7.55%1,6021,653 1,671 1,706.2 1,923 1,929 2,641.4   
    DUP Henry Evans*11.85%2,5132,513 2,546 2,546 2,554 2,571 2,574 3,090  
    DUP Bill Morrison10.15%2,1522,152 2,201 2,201 2,214 2,243 2,243 2,481 2,765.8 
    UUP Thomas Patton *9.81%2,0812,081 2,195 2,195.8 2,264.8 2,411.8 2,418.8 2,443.8 2,450.92 2,839.92
    Unionist Party NI Joshua Cardwell *10.97%2,3272,336 2,363 2,363.8 2,428.4 2,472.4 2,487.2 2,519.2 2,529.88 2,710.88
    UUP William Corry8.17%1,7331,733 1,737 1,737 1,744 1,919 1,930 1,938 1,944.23 2,703.23
    DUP Samuel Foster6.90%1,4641,465 1,521 1,521 1,525 1,535 1,537 1,695 1,808.92 1,865.92
    UUP Dorothy Dunlop*5.88%1,2481,249 1,261 1,261 1,278 1,452 1,459 1,478 1,490.46  
    DUP Albert Greer4.62%979979 1,009 1,009 1,018 1,026 1,026    
    Alliance Samuel Coulson3.05%647660 663 683 784.6 792.6     
    UUP John Kennedy2.89%613614 620 620 628      
    NI Labour David McKee2.58%548587 602 611.6       
    Ulster Democratic Louis Scott2.05%434439         
    SDLP Peter Prendiville1.11%236         
    Electorate: 35,901  Valid: 21,208 (59.07%)  Spoilt: 630  Quota: 2,652  Turnout: 21,838 (60.83%)  

      Area C

      1977: 3 x Alliance, 2 x UUP, 1 x UPNI
      1981: 2 x UUP, 2 x Alliance, 2 x DUP
      1977-1981 Change: DUP (two seats) gain from Alliance and UPNI

      Area C - 6 seats [2]
      PartyCandidateFPv%Count
      123456789
      Alliance David Cook *15.65%2,493        
      Alliance Muriel Pritchard*7.27%1,1581,217.52 1,280.08 1,347.72 1,362.88 2,376.96   
      UUP Andrew Cairns*12.13%1,9331,937.32 1,942.32 2,166.88 2,187.88 2,202.84 2,835.84  
      UUP Mary Crooks*13.18%2,0992,104.2 2,111.1 2,191.6 2,216.76 2,260.24 2,828.24  
      DUP Brian Gibson9.43%1,5031,504.04 1,505.12 1,529.12 1,720.12 1,727.12 1,805.48 2,040.48 2,229.48
      DUP William Stevenson7.62%1,2141,214.32 1,214.32 1,222.32 1,687.56 1,694.8 1,753.28 1,872.28 1,971.28
      SDLP Ben Caraher 9.42%1,5011,508.6 1,792.12 1,795.12 1,795.12 1,828.96 1,843.44 1,845.44 1,850.44
      UUP John Gilmore8.32%1,3261,330.72 1,336.88 1,396.04 1,411.12 1,421    
      Alliance William Jeffrey*5.73%9131,021 1,108.48 1,150.2 1,156.44     
      DUP Thomas McIntyre4.58%729729.8 730.8 744.88      
      Unionist Party NI Victor Brennan*3.34%532534.72 536.72       
      Republican Clubs Gerard Carr3.33%530532.96        
      Electorate: 28,354  Valid: 15,931 (56.19%)  Spoilt: 529  Quota: 2,276  Turnout: 16,460 (58.05%)  

        Area D

        1977: 4 x SDLP, 1 x Republican Clubs, 1 x Alliance
        1981: 3 x SDLP, 1 x People's Democracy, 1 x IRSP, 1 x Independent Socialist
        1977-1981 Change: People's Democracy and IRSP gain from Republican Clubs and Alliance, Independent Socialist leaves SDLP

        Area D - 6 seats [2]
        PartyCandidateFPv%Count
        12345678910
        SDLP Joe Hendron 26.20%4,291         
        People's Democracy John McAnulty16.98%2,781         
        SDLP Cormac Boomer*12.64%2,0702,919.16        
        SDLP Mary Muldoon*3.88%636987.44 1,143.37 1,148.3 1,166.98 1,187.34 1,191.34 1,917.48 1,937.84 2,262.01
        Irish Republican Socialist Gerry Kelly5.84%9571,015.88 1,020.22 1,238.16 1,276.77 1,284.95 1,285.95 1,302.89 2,185.21 2,197.01
        Independent Socialist Paddy Devlin *8.20%1,3431,515.1 1,560.45 1,573.88 1,616 1,659.4 1,668.4 1,741.36 1,787.23 2,058.99
        Republican Clubs Mary McMahon6.87%1,1251,176.52 1,185.2 1,193.87 1,211.85 1,546.39 1,547.39 1,604.52 1,628.3 1,738.82
        Alliance Dan McGuinness*4.43%725781.12 795.69 797.22 883.01 895.93 1,064.93 1,108.6 1,116.83  
        Irish Republican Socialist William Browning5.02%822846.84 854.9 1,012.49 1,041.67 1,046.52 1,049.52 1,066.12   
        SDLP Anne McElroy2.11%346642.7 962.93 974.49 1,008.88 1,034.96 1,040.27    
        UUP John Hand2.92%538538 538.31 538.48 555.48 558.48     
        Republican Clubs Kevin Smyth2.67%438467.9 471.93 476.01 488.35      
        Independent Nationalist Liam Hunter*1.02%167189.54 192.95 200.77       
        Alliance Robert Turkington0.84%137146.2 146.51 147.36       
        Electorate: 35,812  Valid: 16,376 (45.73%)  Spoilt: 1,060  Quota: 2,340  Turnout: 17,436 (48.69%)  

          Area E

          1977: 2 x UUP, 1 x DUP, 1 x Alliance, 1 x Independent, 1 x Independent Unionist
          1981: 2 x DUP, 2 x UUP, 1 x PUP, 1 x Anti H-Block
          1977-1981 Change: DUP and Anti H-Block gain from Alliance and Independent, Independent Unionist joins PUP

          Area E - 6 seats [2]
          PartyCandidateFPv%Count
          123456789101112
          DUP George Haffey23.73%4,142           
          UUP Billy Bell *17.79%3,105           
          DUP George Seawright 11.39%1,9893,442.6          
          PUP Hugh Smyth *11.06%1,9311,957 2,177.72 2,204.72 2,220.72 2,229.72 2,231.92 2,234.12 2,311.85 2,316.36 2,548.36 
          UUP Alfie Ferguson *2.10%367395.4 625.42 989.62 990.24 1,016.79 1,017.3 1,019.1 1,375.09 1,380.69 1,789.06 2,200.15
          Anti H-Block Laurence Kennedy6.13%1,0701,070 1,070 1,070 1,092 1,100.2 1,184.2 1,510 1,510 1,890 1,892.86 1,904.97
          Alliance Samuel Egerton*5.79%1,0111,017.8 1,033.92 1,062.72 1,090.92 1,165.83 1,169.83 1,186.83 1,207.67 1,500.67 1,569.39 1,706.56
          Ulster Democratic Samuel Doyle6.50%1,1351,164.2 1,257.82 1,293.42 1,294.42 1,312.53 1,316.24 1,318.44 1,359.66 1,367.28 1,481.88  
          Ind. Unionist Fred Proctor*3.96%692754.4 982.56 1,032.36 1,032.36 1,046.89 1,050.29 1,053.2 1,129.37 1,130.88   
          SDLP Alphonsus Maginness3.54%618618 618.62 619.42 663.42 678.42 719.42 863.82 864.44    
          UUP James Sands2.21%386413.2 546.81 639.61 640.61 655.16 656.16 657.16     
          Independent Patrick Hunter1.84%321324.2 324.82 325.62 332.62 345.13 524.13      
          Independent James Weir*1.78%311311.8 313.35 313.95 322.95 329.95       
          Independent Peter Emerson 1.16%202203.6 214.45 220.45 232.76        
          Republican Clubs Margaret McNulty1.01%177177 178.86 179.06         
          Electorate: 28,598  Valid: 17,457 (61.04%)  Spoilt: 624  Quota: 2,494  Turnout: 18,081 (63.22%)  

            Area F

            1977: 2 x UUP, 1 x SDLP, 1 x DUP, 1 x Republican Clubs, 1 x Alliance
            1981: 2 x DUP, 1 x SDLP, 1 x DUP, 1 x IRSP, 1 x Alliance
            1977-1981 Change: DUP and IRSP gain from UUP and Republican Clubs

            Area F - 6 seats [2]
            PartyCandidateFPv%Count
            12345678910
            DUP William Dickson *17.80%1,913         
            Irish Republican Socialist Sean Flynn15.25%1,639         
            SDLP Owen Allen*8.36%898898.4 923.88 938.01 1,045.03 1,242.88 1,244.88 1,784.88  
            Alliance Will Glendinning *7.85%844852 865 1,036.69 1,060.21 1,102.06 1,176.59 1,350.01 1,498.97 1,603.97
            DUP Eric Smyth 8.60%9241,203.2 1,203.98 1,204.44 1,207.57 1,211.97 1,304.57 1,308.57 1,317.39 1,512.99
            UUP James Stewart *6.69%719742.6 742.86 742.86 742.86 753.99 969.39 969.59 970.57 1,460.35
            Republican Clubs Jim Sullivan*9.32%1,0021,002 1,013.7 1,024.96 1,048.74 1,093.43 1,095.43 1,147.29 1,232.55 1,235.53
            UUP Linda Cust5.94%638663.2 663.33 667.33 667.33 674.93 920.13 921.13 925.05  
            SDLP Maurice Fitzmaurice6.69%719719.4 737.21 739.6 764.29 868.06 869.06    
            UUP Harry Fletcher*5.78%621651 651.13 652.33 652.33 661.73     
            SDLP Mary Smyth3.62%389395.2 406.64 410.16 458.8      
            SDLP Thomas Lappin2.11%227227 243.64 245.9       
            Alliance Paul Maguire 2.00%215215.4 219.56        
            Electorate: 18,575  Valid: 10,748 (57.86%)  Spoilt: 680  Quota: 1,536  Turnout: 11,428 (61.52%)  

              Area G

              1977: 2 x UUP, 1 x SDLP, 1 x DUP, 1 x Republican Clubs, 1 x Alliance
              1981: 2 x DUP, 1 x UUP, 1 x SDLP, 1 x IRSP, 1 x UDP
              1977-1981 Change: DUP, PD and UDP gain from UUP, Republican Clubs and Alliance

              Area G - 6 seats [2]
              PartyCandidateFPv%Count
              1234567
              DUP Frederick Ashby*20.84%2,076      
              People's Democracy Fergus O'Hare 19.60%1,953      
              Ulster Democratic Samuel Millar14.25%1,4201,437.36     
              UUP Cecil Walker *11.77%1,1731,186.33 1,188.09 1,233.71 1,642.71  
              SDLP Brian Feeney7.52%749749.31 1,033.55 1,102.63 1,108.94 1,110.6 1,419.23
              DUP Joseph Coggle3.93%392979.76 980.64 1,000.88 1,143.04 1,323.15 1,375.7
              Republican Clubs Seamus Lynch*7.53%750750.31 899.03 941.95 944.95 946.61 1,209.77
              Independent Socialist Gerry Fitt*5.43%541542.24 602.08 696.79 729.03 762.23  
              UUP Herbert Ditty*5.97%595610.19 610.19 642.19    
              Alliance Philip McGarry3.14%313315.48 348.04     
              Electorate: 17,207  Valid: 9,962 (57.90%)  Spoilt: 374  Quota: 1,424  Turnout: 10,336 (60.07%)  

                Area H

                1977: 2 x UUP, 2 x Alliance, 1 x SDLP, 1 x DUP, 1 x Independent Unionist
                1981: 2 x UUP, 2 x DUP, 1 x SDLP, 1 x Alliance, 1 x Independent Unionist
                1977-1981 Change: DUP gain from Alliance

                Area H - 7 seats [2]
                PartyCandidateFPv%Count
                123456789
                UUP John Carson *25.37%5,014        
                SDLP Paschal O'Hare *15.47%3,057        
                DUP William Annon *15.23%3,010        
                Ind. Unionist Frank Millar *9.35%1,8482,438.07 2,438.64 2,464.2 2,581.2    
                Alliance John Cushnahan *8.80%1,7391,881.8 1,918.09 1,923.85 1,928.54 1,928.54 2,046.59 2,500.59 
                UUP Raymond Trimble2.06%4081,729.92 1,729.92 1,736.58 1,770.19 1,782.19 1,786.19 1,978.92 2,295.92
                DUP William Gault4.11%813990.48 990.48 1,423.38 1,506 1,530 1,532.87 1,993.65 2,239.65
                SDLP Alban Maginness 4.14%818829.22 1,336.52 1,336.52 1,336.52 1,336.52 1,593.23 1,613.71 1,723.71
                NI Labour Alan Carr5.06%1,0001,091.8 1,095.6 1,110.54 1,231.25 1,246.25 1,334.79 1,397.21  
                Alliance Robert Jamison*2.69%531646.26 651.58 653.2 655.2 659.2 676.84   
                DUP Pauline Strong2.36%466510.37 510.37 555.01 611.88 630.88 630.88   
                Republican Clubs Liam Clarke2.80%553560.14 579.52 580.42 580.42 580.42    
                PUP David Overend2.55%503520.85 521.04 524.1      
                Electorate: 33,505  Valid: 19,760 (58.98%)  Spoilt: 720  Quota: 2,471  Turnout: 20,480 (61.13%)  

                  Related Research Articles

                  <span class="mw-page-title-main">Court (District Electoral Area)</span>

                  Court is one of the ten district electoral areas (DEA) in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Located in the north and west of the city, the district elects six members to Belfast City Council and contains the wards of Ballygomartin, Clonard, Falls, Forth River, Shankill, and Woodvale. Court is split between the Belfast North and Belfast West constituencies for the Northern Ireland Assembly and UK Parliament.

                  Area E was one of the eight district electoral areas (DEA) which existed in Belfast, Northern Ireland from 1973 to 1985. Located in the north-west of the city, the district elected six members to Belfast City Council and contained the wards of Ardoyne; Ballygomartin; Ballysillan; Highfield; Legoniel; and Woodvale. The DEA formed part of the Belfast North and Belfast West constituencies.

                  Area F was one of the eight district electoral areas (DEA) which existed in Belfast, Northern Ireland from 1973 to 1985. Containing the inner parts of west and south Belfast, the district elected six members to Belfast City Council and contained the wards of Clonard; Cromac; Donegall; Falls; Grosvenor; and Saint George's wards. Most of the DEA formed part of the Belfast West constituency, with a small part in Belfast South.

                  Area G was one of the eight district electoral areas (DEA) which existed in Belfast, Northern Ireland from 1973 to 1985. Covering Belfast city centre and the inner parts of the north and west of the city, the district elected six members to Belfast City Council and contained the wards of Central; Court; Crumlin; New Lodge; North Howard; and Shankill. The DEA formed part of the Belfast North and Belfast West constituencies.

                  <span class="mw-page-title-main">2001 Belfast City Council election</span> Northern Ireland local election

                  Elections to Belfast City Council were held on 7 June 2001 on the same day as the other Northern Irish local government elections. The election used nine district electoral areas to elect a total of 51 councillors, most representing the more heavily populated north and west.

                  Elections to Belfast City Council were held on 21 May 1997 on the same day as the other Northern Irish local government elections. The election used nine district electoral areas to elect a total of 51 councillors, most representing the more heavily populated north and west.

                  Elections to Belfast City Council were held on 19 May 1993 on the same day as the other Northern Irish local government elections. The election used nine district electoral areas to elect a total of 51 councillors, most representing the more heavily populated north and west.

                  Elections to Belfast City Council were held on 17 May 1989 on the same day as the other Northern Irish local government elections. The election used nine district electoral areas to elect a total of 51 councillors, most representing the more heavily populated north and west.

                  Elections to Belfast City Council were held on 18 May 1977 on the same day as the other Northern Irish local government elections. The election used nine district electoral areas to elect a total of 51 councillors, most representing the more heavily populated north and west.

                  Elections to Lisburn Borough Council were held on 7 June 2001 on the same day as the other Northern Irish local government elections. The election used five district electoral areas to elect a total of 30 councillors.

                  Elections to Lisburn Borough Council were held on 21 May 1997 on the same day as the other Northern Irish local government elections. The election used five district electoral areas to elect a total of 30 councillors.

                  Elections to Lisburn Borough Council were held on 20 May 1981 on the same day as the other Northern Irish local government elections. The election used five district electoral areas to elect a total of 23 councillors.

                  Elections to Lisburn Borough Council were held on 18 May 1977 on the same day as the other Northern Irish local government elections. The election used five district electoral areas to elect a total of 23 councillors.

                  Elections to Newtownabbey Borough Council were held on 7 June 2001 on the same day as the other Northern Irish local government elections. The election used four district electoral areas to elect a total of 25 councillors.

                  Elections to Newtownabbey Borough Council were held on 21 May 1997 on the same day as the other Northern Irish local government elections. The election used four district electoral areas to elect a total of 25 councillors.

                  Elections to Newtownabbey Borough Council were held on 20 May 1981 on the same day as the other Northern Irish local government elections. The election used four district electoral areas to elect a total of 21 councillors.

                  Elections to Carrickfergus Borough Council were held on 20 May 1981 on the same day as the other Northern Irish local government elections. The election used three district electoral areas to elect a total of 15 councillors.

                  Elections to Craigavon Borough Council were held on 18 May 1977 on the same day as the other Northern Irish local government elections. The election used four district electoral areas to elect a total of 25 councillors.

                  Elections to Newry and Mourne District Council were held on 20 May 1981 on the same day as the other Northern Irish local government elections. The election used six district electoral areas to elect a total of 30 councillors.

                  Elections to Newry and Mourne District Council were held on 18 May 1977 on the same day as the other Northern Irish local government elections. The election used six district electoral areas to elect a total of 30 councillors.

                  References

                  1. 1 2 "Belfast Council results". 27 July 2011. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
                  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Local Government Results 1981". EONI. Retrieved 8 July 2021.