1958 London County Council election

An election to the County Council of London took place on 16 April 1958. The council was elected by First Past the Post with each elector having three votes in the three-member seats. The Labour Party, who had already run the council for 24 years, won their largest ever majority.

1958 London County Council election

← 1955 16 April 1958 1961 →
  First party Second party
 
Leader Isaac Hayward Norris Kenyon
Party Labour Conservative
Leader since 1947 1952
Leader's seat Alderman Paddington South
Seats won 101 25
Seat change Increase27 Decrease27

Campaign

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The Labour Party were optimistic about making gains, and targeted seats in Battersea South, Clapham, Lewisham West, Wandsworth Central and Woolwich West. The Conservatives targeted the marginal Labour-held constituencies of Barons Court, Kensington North and Paddington North.[1] Their manifesto argued that the Labour Party were wasting money; they proposed reducing rates, and encouraged Londoners to move to new towns.[2]

The Liberal Party stood 31 candidates, but reports suggested that they were hampered by poor organisation, and were not optimistic of taking a seat. The Communist Party of Great Britain and the Independent Labour Party each stood four candidates, while the Socialist Party of Great Britain stood three, and there were seven independents.[1]

Results

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The Labour Party gained 27 seats from the Conservatives,[3] giving them a record majority on the council.[4]

Party Votes[5] Seats[5]
Number % Stood Seats %
Labour 422,875 58.4 126 101 80.2
Conservative 271,609 37.5 126 25 19.8
Liberal 21,672 3.0 31 0 0.0
Communist 4,772 0.7 4 0 0.0
Ind. Labour Party 1,382 0.2 4 0 0.0
Independent 1,334 0.2 5 0 0.0
Socialist (GB) 995 0.1 3 0 0.0

References

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  1. ^ a b "Conservatives on defensive in LCC elections". The Times. 15 April 1958.
  2. ^ "'Arrogant' majority on LCC". The Times. 3 April 1958.
  3. ^ "Complete results of London County Council elections". The Times. 18 April 1958.
  4. ^ "Final net gain of 249 seats by Labour in elections". Manchester Guardian. 18 April 1958.
  5. ^ a b Woollard, John; Willis, Alan (2000). Twentieth Century Local Election Results. Vol. 3. Elections Centre.