1981 Greater Manchester County Council election

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Local elections to Greater Manchester County Council, a Metropolitan County Council encompassing Greater Manchester, were held on 7 May 1981, resulting in large swings to Labour, giving them control of the council.

Contents

This would be the last election to the Greater Manchester County Council, with metropolitan county councils being scrapped on 31 March 1986 under the Local Government Act 1985 by the Conservative government of Margaret Thatcher. The councils' abolition came following several high-profile clashes between mostly Labour metropolitan county councils and the Conservative government over issues including overspending and high rates charging.

Results

Overall Results

Greater Manchester County Council election, 1981 [1]
PartySeatsGainsLossesNet gain/lossSeats %Votes %Votes+/−
  Labour 7849.6Increase2.svg15.2
  Conservative 1930.6Decrease2.svg25.5
  Liberal 918.4Increase2.svg10.9
  Independent 00.00.2Decrease2.svg0.1
  Green 00.00.2Increase2.svg0.2
  Other parties 00.01.0Decrease2.svg0.7

Borough summary

Results of the Greater Manchester County Council election, 1981
by Metropolitan Borough
Borough %
Cllrs
 %
Cllrs
 %
Cllrs
 %
Cllrs
 %
Cllrs
 %
Cllrs
Total
Cllrs
Labour Conservative Liberal Green IndependentOthers
Bolton 49.0734.4216.210.000.000.4010
Bury 49.6534.0114.200.002.300.406
Manchester 55.71627.7315.010.500.001.1020
Oldham 50.5730.5118.010.000.001.009
Rochdale 43.5529.7024.320.000.002.507
Salford 59.81123.8015.310.000.001.1012
Stockport 29.0337.7632.120.700.000.4011
Tameside 57.3929.7011.900.600.000.409
Trafford 36.6343.1620.400.000.000.009
Wigan 65.81216.5014.510.000.003.2013
Total49.67830.61918.490.200.201.00106

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