1994 Tayside Regional Council election

Last updated

1994 Tayside Regional Council election
Flag of Scotland.svg
  1990 5 May 1994 (1994-05-05)

All 46 seats to Tayside Regional Council
24 seats needed for a majority
Turnout45.5%
 First partySecond partyThird party
 
Party SNP Labour Conservative
Last election101814
Seats won22164
Seat changeIncrease2.svg12Decrease2.svg2Decrease2.svg10
Popular vote54,64035,56128,869
Percentage39.6%25.7%20.9%

 Fourth partyFifth partySixth party
 
Party Liberal Democrats Independent Independent Labour
Last election211
Seats won211
Seat changeSteady2.svg0Steady2.svg0Steady2.svg0
Popular vote13,0262,3862,021
Percentage9.4%1.7%1.6%

1994 Tayside Regional Council election
Interactive map of results in the 46 Tayside electoral divisions

Council control before election


No overall control

Council control after election


No overall control

The sixth and last election to Tayside Regional Council was held on 5 May 1994 as part of the wider 1994 Scottish regional elections. The election saw the Scottish National Party overtaking Labour to become the council's largest party, and following the election the SNP formed a minority administration. The Conservatives lost 10 seats and became the third largest party. 8 weeks later, leader of the council Lena Graham resigned 'for personal reasons' and Ewan Dow took over as council leader.

Contents

Background

The Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 created a two-tier system of local government in Scotland. Tayside was one of 9 regions, below which were 3 districts; Dundee, Angus and Perth and Kinross. The region was governed by Tayside Regional Council, whose 46 councillors were elected every 4 years using the first past the post voting system. [1] The previous election was held on 3 May 1990, and ended in victory for Labour who took 18 seats. The Conservatives came second with 14 seats, and the SNP finished third with 10. [2] :45

The SNP stood on a platform of anti-privatisation, campaigning against the Conservative government's attempts to privatise the water and sewerage systems. [3] A total of 160 candidates stood for 46 seats; 40 women and 120 men. The SNP stood in the most electoral divisions (45), followed by the Conservatives (41), Labour (36), the Liberal Democrats (25) and the Scottish Greens (8). [4] Two Liberal Democrat candidates were disqualified before the election after it transpired that their proposers had already nominated other individuals. [5]

Aftermath

The election ended with the SNP as the largest party, gaining 12 seats, although they were short of an overall majority. Labour took legal action after the SNP won Whitfield by just 1 vote, alleging that a spoiled ballot paper was counted in the SNP candidate's favour. [6] The challenge was dropped after the Labour candidate George Barr was allowed to examine the contentious ballot paper. [7]

Some Labour councillors backed nominating candidates to convenerships, knowing that they could only be elected with Conservative support. This was condemned by Scottish Labour's general secretary Jack McConnell, who told the councillors that "no Labour administration worth its salt would get the support of the Tories". Conservative group leader Bruce Mackie denied such a move, saying "There is no question at all of us working in any alliance with any other party." [8] The SNP eventually formed a minority administration, with former group leader Frances Duncan elected convener and Lena Graham elected as council leader. [9]

Graham resigned just 8 weeks into the role, and was replaced by Ewan Dow, a newly elected councillor. Dow was just 22 years old when he was appointed, making him the youngest Scottish council leader in history. [10]

Aggregate results

1994 Tayside Regional Council election
Tayside Regional Council 1994.svg
PartyVotes%+/–Seats+/–
SNP 54,64039.58Increase2.svg8.822Increase2.svg12
Labour 35,56125.76Decrease2.svg3.216Decrease2.svg2
Conservative 28,86920.91Decrease2.svg9.04Decrease2.svg10
Liberal Democrats 13,0269.44Increase2.svg3.52Steady2.svg0
Independent 2,3861.73Increase2.svg0.51Steady2.svg0
Independent Labour 2,1431.55Increase2.svg0.11Steady2.svg0
Scottish Green 9070.66Decrease2.svg1.00Steady2.svg0
Others5180.38Increase2.svg0.30Steady2.svg0
Total138,050100.0046
Registered voters/turnout306,29245.5
Source: Elections Centre

Ward results

Each of the 46 electoral divisions elected one councillor. Boundaries were changed since the last election after a review by the Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland. [1]

Angus

1. Arbroath Central [2] :10
PartyCandidateVotes%
SNP A. King 1,440 48.7
Liberal Democrats R. B. Spears1,21841.2
Conservative R. Irvine29648.7
Majority222
Turnout 45.5
SNP win (new seat)
2. Carnoustie East/Arbroath West [2] :10
PartyCandidateVotes%
SNP G. A. Lamont 1,103 31.2
Liberal Democrats G. Ryalls93726.5
Conservative J. A. McAdam83523.6
Labour P. A. Wardlaw3259.2
Majority166
Turnout 52.3
SNP win (new seat)
3. Arbroath North/Central Angus [2] :10
PartyCandidateVotes%
SNP H. M. W. Angus 1,423 50.2
Conservative E. C. Hill70024.7
Labour J. Warren34612.2
Liberal Democrats H. O'F. Will28910.2
Scottish Green P. C. Roberts742.6
Majority723
Turnout 43.5%
SNP win (new seat)
4. Arbroath East [2] :10
PartyCandidateVotes%
SNP A. W. Shand 1,791 48.8
Labour F. G. Pearson79221.6
Conservative R. D. Ramsay2927.9
Majority999
Turnout 51.9
SNP win (new seat)
5. Carnoustie West [2] :10
PartyCandidateVotes%
SNP R. Lamont 1,329 41.1
Conservative J. Gray75925.1
Labour P. A. Murphy72724.1
Liberal Democrats G. McBeth1986.5
Majority570
Turnout 45.9
SNP win (new seat)
6. Forfar West [2] :10
PartyCandidateVotes%
SNP F. E. Duncan 2,067 67.5
Conservative B. J. T. Townsend64221.1
Labour L. Hood34511.2
Majority1421
Turnout 43.7
SNP win (new seat)
7. Forfar East [2] :10
PartyCandidateVotes%
SNP I. S. Hudghton 1,883 63.1
Conservative A. A. A. Cochrane-Dyet52317.5
Liberal Democrats H. C. Fleming2899.6
Labour G. MacDonald2899.6
Majority1,360
Turnout 42.0
SNP win (new seat)
8. Montrose South [2] :10
PartyCandidateVotes%
SNP W. A. West 1,435 59.1
Conservative D. J. Stubbs57923.8
Labour S. Singh24810.2
Liberal Democrats A. W. Warren1653.8
Majority856
Turnout 38.7
SNP win (new seat)
9. Montrose North [2] :10
PartyCandidateVotes%
SNP D. C. Doward 1,460 49.8
Conservative W. Johnston89730.6
Labour J. Stewart57119.5
Majority563
Turnout 43.3
SNP win (new seat)
10. Kirriemuir/Western Glens [2] :10
PartyCandidateVotes%
Conservative H. S. Arbuthnott 1,415 44.9
SNP R. Berrie1,34742.8
Labour D. K. Todd38412.2
Majority68
Turnout 44.7
Conservative win (new seat)
11. Brechin/Eastern Glens [2] :10
PartyCandidateVotes%
SNP G. P. Allan 2,061 56.6
Conservative R. J. L. Melville97126.6
Labour I. A. McFatridge43111.8
Liberal Democrats M. I. Gillespie1754.8
Majority1090
Turnout 49.9
SNP win (new seat)

City of Dundee

12. Central [2] :10-12
PartyCandidateVotes%
Labour J. D. Kemp 1,031 47.8
SNP D. C. L. Blake47823.6
Liberal Democrats D. A. Stansfield31614.9
Conservative J. C. W. Justice1898.9
Scottish Green F. Conacher994.6
Majority553
Turnout 30.1
Labour win (new seat)
13. Riverside [2] :10-12
PartyCandidateVotes%
Conservative N. I. C. Powrie 1,429 42.1
Labour S. R. Butcher1,20635.6
SNP C. Cashley42312.4
Liberal Democrats D. R. MacDonald2607.6
Scottish Green E. C. Hood722.0
Majority223
Turnout 50.2
Conservative win (new seat)
14. Lochee [2] :10-12
PartyCandidateVotes%
Labour G. W. Buckman 1,767 60.6
SNP N. Maiden62221.3
Conservative A. G. L. Powrie29710.1
Liberal Democrats R. J. Coates1414.8
Scottish Green C. J. S. Cassells872.9
Majority1,145
Turnout 44.9
Labour win (new seat)
15. Law [2] :10-12
PartyCandidateVotes%
Labour B. Paterson 1,637 54.7
SNP P. L. Mulheron75525.2
Conservative W. C. Blackwood36512.2
Liberal Democrats S. M. Tennant1535.1
Scottish Green S. M. Hendry822.7
Majority882
Turnout 44.4
Labour win (new seat)
16. Dens [2] :10-12
PartyCandidateVotes%
Labour J. C. McGovern 1,546 60.4
SNP E. Black65025.4
Conservative D. E. Hay1766.8
Scottish Militant Labour P. H. Manley1546.0
Communist T. D. Burn301.1
Majority869
Turnout 35.2
Labour win (new seat)
17. Stannergate [2] :10-12
PartyCandidateVotes%
Labour D. Macmillan 1,413 39.1
SNP J. Corrigan1,08230.0
Conservative P. D. Scott93525.9
Liberal Democrats E. A. Dwyer1774.9
Majority331
Turnout 53.9
Labour win (new seat)
18. Ninewells [2] :10-12
PartyCandidateVotes%
Labour W. Derby 1,693 58.2
SNP M. T. B. Anderson70024.0
Conservative J. N. Gowans29410.1
Liberal Democrats G. Cowie2227.6
Majority993
Turnout 46.7
Labour win (new seat)
19. Charleston [2] :10-12
PartyCandidateVotes%
Labour J. R. Letford 1,834 61.8
SNP D. Cashley99433.5
Liberal Democrats C. Newell1394.6
Majority840
Turnout 45.4
Labour win (new seat)
20. Kingsway West [2] :10-12
PartyCandidateVotes%
Labour G. C. Hood 1,113 50.3
SNP M. Lennie49722.5
Scottish Militant Labour B. Wallace33415.1
Liberal Democrats I. K. Ridley26512.0
Majority686
Turnout 38.2
Labour win (new seat)
21. St. Mary's [2] :10-12
PartyCandidateVotes%
Independent Labour I. Borthwick 2,021 61.1
Labour W. Wright83121.3
SNP E. S. Scott45413.7
Majority1,190
Turnout 50.6
Independent Labour win (new seat)
22. Kirkton [2] :10-12
PartyCandidateVotes%
Labour W. Barr 1,529 57.9
SNP N. Maiden1,10842.0
Majority421
Turnout 41.5
Labour win (new seat)
23. Clepington [2] :10-12
PartyCandidateVotes%
Labour M. J. Rolfe 1,886 57.6
SNP D. McGovern73222.3
Conservative D. J. Searle46814.2
Liberal Democrats J. M. Mainland1885.7
Majority1,154
Turnout 47.6
Labour win (new seat)
24. Kingsway East [2] :10-12
PartyCandidateVotes%
Labour M. Barr 1,239 50.4
SNP A. A. Petrie77531.5
Conservative S. McQuire38715.7
Scottish Green D. M. McCabe552.2
Majority464
Turnout 38.7
Labour win (new seat)
25. Fintry [2] :10-12
PartyCandidateVotes%
Labour H. Connolly 2,028 69.3
SNP K. Young80827.6
Conservative D. Kinnear883.0
Majority1,220
Turnout 43.9
Labour win (new seat)
26. Whitfield [2] :10-12
PartyCandidateVotes%
SNP J. C. Duthie 895 46.0
Labour G. Barr89445.9
Liberal Democrats D. T. Dargie582.9
Conservative J. D. Mackie402.0
Majority1
Turnout 36.7
SNP win (new seat)
27. Douglas and Angus [2] :10-12
PartyCandidateVotes%
Labour J. Mudie 1,950 66.3
SNP F. Carlin84228.6
Conservative E. T. Hay1464.9
Majority1,108
Turnout 44.5
Labour win (new seat)
28. Broughty Ferry [2] :10-12
PartyCandidateVotes%
Conservative J. C. Cathro 1,266 35.8
SNP K. J. N. Guild 1,15732.7
Labour I. Birnie88124.9
Liberal Democrats R. B. Johnston2296.4
Majority109
Turnout 50.8
Conservative win (new seat)
29. Barnhill [2] :10-12
PartyCandidateVotes%
Conservative B.D. Mackie 1,265 37.9
SNP A. J. Lawrence94228.8
Liberal Democrats A. Best61118.3
Labour G. Cruickshank51715.5
Majority323
Turnout 49.9
Conservative win (new seat)
30. Monifieth [2] :10-12
PartyCandidateVotes%
SNP R. J. Murray 1,655 52.0
Conservative D. McNaughton1,05233.1
Labour A. R. Butler47014.7
Majority603
Turnout 46.4
SNP win (new seat)
31. Sidlaw [2] :10-12
PartyCandidateVotes%
SNP F. Ellis 1,668 52.0
Conservative A. H. Brown1,39737.6
Labour G. J. Martin45812.3
Scottish Green S. E. Baird 1865.0
Majority271
Turnout 53.1
SNP win (new seat)

Perth and Kinross

32. Perth St. Johnstoun [2] :12-13
PartyCandidateVotes%
Independent J. Doig 1,704 65.6
Conservative J. McNicol63724.5
Scottish Green P. F. Cheer2549.1
Majority1,067
Turnout 38.0
Independent win (new seat)
33. Perth Moncrieffe [2] :12-13
PartyCandidateVotes%
Labour M. H. Lennie 1,327 44.4
SNP N. M. Sime94331.5
Conservative L. Hurrell44214.7
Liberal Democrats G. Syme2279.2
Majority384
Turnout 44.1
Labour win (new seat)
34. Perth Viewlands [2] :12-13
PartyCandidateVotes%
Liberal Democrats L. Caddell 2,250 63.2
Conservative I. Spresser73920.7
SNP E. C. MacLachlan56615.9
Majority1,511
Turnout 50.8
Liberal Democrats win (new seat)
35. Perth Letham [2] :12-13
PartyCandidateVotes%
Labour C. Gillies 1,338 48.1
SNP C. M. Davidson1,19042.8
Conservative R. Fraser2529.0
Majority148
Turnout 43.4
Labour win (new seat)
36. Perth Inveralmond
PartyCandidateVotes%
Labour M. O'Malley 1,508 61.9
SNP J. Duthie82433.8
Conservative M. Doyle1044.2
Majority684
Turnout 39.2
Labour win (new seat)
37. Bridge of Earn/The Carse [2] :12-13
PartyCandidateVotes%
SNP E. G. Dow 1,990 61.5
Conservative P. McCormack1,24238.4
Majority384
Turnout 44.1
SNP win (new seat)
38. Glenfarg/Methven Etc. [2] :12-13
PartyCandidateVotes%
SNP J. G. K. Russell 1,113 44.2
Independent E. V. Pentland68222.3
Conservative A. J. Stewart67722.1
Liberal Democrats A. Pearson58018.0
Majority430
Turnout 47.7
SNP win (new seat)
39. Auchterarder [2] :12-13
PartyCandidateVotes%
SNP J. McLaclan 1,510 55.4
Conservative J. A. O. Fordyce1,21544.5
Majority295
Turnout 45.3
SNP win (new seat)
40. Creiff [2] :12-13
PartyCandidateVotes%
SNP A. M. Smith 1,620 53.8
Conservative R. E. Buchan1,39146.2
Majority229
Turnout 43.8
SNP win (new seat)
41. Pitlochry/Aberfeldy Etc. [2] :12-13
PartyCandidateVotes%
SNP J. Cullivan 2,112 59.2
Liberal Democrats J. C. F. Cameron1,45440.7
Majority658
Turnout 50.3
SNP win (new seat)
42. Dunkeld/Strathtay [2] :12-13
PartyCandidateVotes%
Liberal Democrats R. A. Scott 1,618 51.9
SNP J. Mackay97731.3
Conservative C. Cormack52116.7
Majority341
Turnout 53.4
Liberal Democrats win (new seat)
43. Blairgowrie/Glenshee [2] :12-13
PartyCandidateVotes%
SNP J. L. Wilson 1,842 55.3
Conservative J. Mackay98529.6
Labour R. Sweeney50015.0
Majority857
Turnout 47.9
SNP win (new seat)
44. Alyth/Coupar Angus [2] :12-13
PartyCandidateVotes%
SNP A. D. Grant 1,526 51.1
Conservative J. Main1,20140.2
Labour K. Wallace2548.5
Majority325
Turnout 48.8
SNP win (new seat)
45. Scone and St. Martin's [2] :12-13
PartyCandidateVotes%
SNP J. E. Lloyd 1,251 38.0
Conservative W. S. Courts95829.4
Liberal Democrats B. T. J. Gourdie81724.8
Majority283
Turnout 42.0
SNP win (new seat)
46. Kinross [2] :12-13
PartyCandidateVotes%
SNP L. Graham 2,601 76.8
Conservative A. I. Campbell78523.1
Majority1816
Turnout 45.5
SNP win (new seat)

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dundee City Council</span> Local government body in Scotland

Dundee City Council is the local government authority for the Dundee City council area. It was created in 1996 under the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Politics of Dundee</span> Place

Politics in the Dundee Citycouncil area are evident in the deliberations and decisions of Dundee City Council, in elections to the council, and in elections to the Scottish Parliament (Holyrood) and the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom (Westminster).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2011 Scottish Parliament election</span> Parliamentary election held in Scotland

The 2011 Scottish Parliament election was held on Thursday, 5 May 2011 to elect 129 members to the Scottish Parliament.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2007 Scottish Parliament election</span> Parliamentary election held in Scotland

The 2007 Scottish Parliament election was held on Thursday 3 May 2007 to elect members to the Scottish Parliament. It was the third general election to the devolved Scottish Parliament since it was created in 1999. Local elections in Scotland fell on the same day.

Ewan Dow is a former Scottish politician.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1994 Scottish regional elections</span>

Regional elections were held in Scotland on 5 May 1994, as part of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973. These were the last elections before 29 new mainland unitary authorities, established by the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994, came into effect. The councils up for election were last contested in 1990 Scottish regional elections, and vote and seat changes are compared to the 1990 results.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1992 Scottish local elections</span>

Local elections were held in Scotland on 7 May 1992, to elect members to all 53 district councils. It was the last local election held under the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, which had established the two-tier system of regions and districts. Regional and district councils were abolished in 1996, and replaced with 29 new mainland unitary authorities under the terms of the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1982 Scottish regional elections</span>

Regional elections were held in Scotland on Thursday 6 May 1982, as part of the wider 1982 United Kingdom local elections. Whilst the 1982 elections saw the Conservatives hold up relatively well in England, the Tories did comparatively poorly in Scotland, where their already disadvantageous position worsened. The Conservatives did particularly poorly in Strathclyde, where the Conservative group leader lost his seat.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1982 Strathclyde Regional Council election</span> Strathclyde Regional Council election

Elections to Strathclyde Regional Council were held on Thursday 6 May 1982, on the same day as the eight other Scottish regional elections. This was the third election to the regional council following the local government reforms in the 1970s.

Danus George Moncrieff Skene was a Scottish teacher, educationalist and politician.

Elections to Strathclyde Regional Council were held on Tuesday 2 May 1978, on the same day as the eight other Scottish regional elections. This was the second election to the regional council following the local government reforms in 1974.

Elections for the City of Glasgow District Council took place on 3 May 1977, alongside elections to the councils of Scotland's various other districts. These were the second elections to the City of Glasgow District Council, and saw Labour losing their control of the council, losing nearly half of their councillors. Among the losing councillors was Dick Dynes, the Labour group leader. Dynes was replaced as leader by Jean McFadden.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1990 Strathclyde Regional Council election</span> Strathclyde Regional Council election

Elections to Strathclyde Regional Council were held on Thursday 3 May 1990, on the same day as the eight other Scottish regional elections. This was the fifth election to the regional council following the local government reforms in the 1970s.

The 1980 City of Glasgow District Council election took place on 1 May 1980, alongside elections to the councils of Scotland's various other districts. This was the third election to the City of Glasgow District Council.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Dundee City Council election</span> Dundee City Council election

The Dundee City Council election took place on 5 May 2022, the same day as the 31 other Scottish local government elections. Each ward elected three or four councillors using the single transferable vote system, a form of proportional representation used since the 2007 election and according to the Local Governance (Scotland) Act 2004.

Elections to North Ayrshire Council took place on 5 May 2022 on the same day as the 31 other Scottish local government elections. As with other Scottish council elections, it was held using single transferable vote (STV) – a form of proportional representation – in which multiple candidates are elected in each ward and voters rank candidates in order of preference.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Glasgow City Council election</span> Glasgow City Council election

Elections to Glasgow City Council took place on 5 May 2022 on the same day as the 31 other Scottish local government elections. As with other Scottish council elections, it was held using single transferable vote (STV) – a form of proportional representation – in which multiple candidates are elected in each ward and voters rank candidates in order of preference.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Aberdeenshire Council election</span> Aberdeenshire Council election

Elections to Aberdeenshire Council took place on Thursday 5 May 2022 on the same day as the 31 other Scottish local government elections. As with other Scottish council elections, it was held using single transferable vote (STV) – a form of proportional representation – in which multiple candidates are elected in each ward and voters rank candidates in order of preference.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Aberdeen City Council election</span> Aberdeen City Council election

Elections to Aberdeen City Council took place on 5 May 2022 on the same day as the 31 other Scottish local government elections. As with other Scottish council elections, it was held using single transferable vote (STV) – a form of proportional representation – in which multiple candidates are elected in each ward and voters rank candidates in order of preference.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Clackmannanshire Council election</span> Clackmannanshire Council election

Elections to Clackmannanshire Council took place on 5 May 2022 on the same day as the 31 other Scottish local government elections. As with other Scottish council elections, it was held using single transferable vote (STV) – a form of proportional representation – in which multiple candidates are elected in each ward and voters rank candidates in order of preference.

References

  1. 1 2 "Local Government Electoral Arrangements 1974 to 1996" (PDF). Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland . Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 August 2019. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 Bochel, JM; Denver, DT (1994). The Scottish Regional Elections 1994 Results and Statistics (PDF). Dundee: University of Dundee.
  3. "SNP sets sights on Tayside". The Herald . Retrieved 6 December 2020.
  4. Bochel, HM; Denver, DT (1994). The Scottish Regional Elections 1994 Results and Statistics (PDF). Dundee: University of Dundee. pp. 46–47. ISBN   1-869820-05-3.
  5. "Parties claim election records". The Herald . Retrieved 6 December 2020.
  6. "Legal challenge in one-vote win". The Herald . Retrieved 6 December 2020.
  7. "Ballot action dropped". The Herald . Retrieved 6 December 2020.
  8. "Labour rocked by local party power bid". The Herald . Retrieved 6 December 2020.
  9. "Tayside proves a first for the SNP". The Herald . Retrieved 6 December 2020.
  10. "Baptism of fire for young council leader". The Herald . 27 July 1994. Retrieved 27 May 2016.