The 1949 Glasgow Corporation elections were held on Tuesday 3 May 1949. The election was held against a wider backdrop of Labour losses across the country, however Labour managed to maintain an overall majority of elected members. The Labour group did see a particularly high-profile loss when the Labour group leader Andrew Hood, the councillor for Provan, lost his seat. The new council was composed entirely of Labour and Progressive members, with all smaller parties having lost their representation.[1]

Whilst the Labour party had won a majority of elected members, the corporation also featured two ex-officio members: the Dean of Guild (Lord Inverclyde) and the Deacon-Convenor. Whilst not party affiliated, these members had traditionally voted with the Progressives.[1] As a result, following the election the Progressives John Donald Kelly took over as council leader; the first Progressive council leader since 1933, when Labour had taken control.

Election result

Glasgow Corporation election, 1949[1]
Party Seats Gains Losses Net gain/loss Seats % Votes % Votes +/−
  Labour 56
  Progressives 55

Wards

Anderston

Anderston (3)[1]
Electorate: 24,815
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Neil Johnston* 6,338 63.65
Labour Mrs Mary McAlister* 6,223
Labour John S. Ratcliffe* 5,578
Progressives John F. Gowdie 4681 32.70
Progressives David Miller 4638
Communist Robert McIlhone 1040 3.65
Majority 897
Turnout 28,498 (9,499) 38.28
Labour hold Swing
Labour hold Swing
Labour hold Swing

Calton

Calton (3)[1]
Electorate: 21,038
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Mrs Helen E. Gault* 4,685
Labour Joseph McKell* 4,438
Labour Thomas G. McLure* 4,437
Progressives Andrew Shearer 2,679
Ind. Labour Party Francis Kane 555
Independent Patrick Farrell 488
Ind. Labour Party Charles Hayman 450
Ind. Labour Party B. Lavin 354
Turnout 35.89

Camphill

Cathcart

Cathcart (3)[1]
Electorate: 17,591
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Progressives Thomas R. Patterson* 8,275
Progressives Andrew Donald* 8,271
Labour William G. Reid* 8,076
Labour James H. Dollan 2097
Turnout 59.35

Cowcaddens

Cowlairs

Craigton

Dalmarnock

Dennistoun

Exchange

Fairfield

Gorbals

Govanhill

Hutchesontown

Kelvinside

Kingston

Kinning Park

Knightswood

Langside

Maryhill

Mile-end

North Kelvin

Park

Parkhead

Partick East

Patrick West

Pollockshaws

Provan

Provan (3)[1]
Electorate: 15,759
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Progressives Alexander Fraser* 4,718
Progressives Albert Douglas 4,581
Labour David S. Brown* 4,544
Labour Andrew Hood* (Labour leader) 4516
Progressives Robert Hodgins 4468
Labour Robert C. Smith* 4397
Majority
Turnout 59.36
Progressives hold Swing
Progressives gain from Labour Swing
Labour hold Swing

Ruchill

Shettleston

Shettleston (3)[1]
Electorate: 28,165
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Myer Galpern 6,597
Labour Robert McAllister 6,481
Labour Thomas B. Duncan 5,598
Progressives James McC. Fergusson 5521
Progressives William W. Smith 5389
Progressives John J. Macdougall 5175
Ind. Labour Party David W. Gibson 3576
Ind. Labour Party Cecil Gould 1561
Ind. Labour Party Harold I. Maclean 1561
Communist Thomas McLaren 973
Turnout 52.97

Springburn

Townhead

Whiteinch

Woodside

Yoker

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h "Labour's one-vote margin in Glasgow". The Glasgow Herald. 4 May 1949.
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