1981 Cumbria County Council election^[1]

← 1977 7 May 1981 1985 →
All 83 seats of Cumbria County Council 42 seats needed for a majority
First party Second party   Party Labour Conservative Last election 23 seats, 36.7% 52 seats, 52.1% Seats won 42 35 Seat change 19 17 Popular vote 74,286 61,242 Percentage 49.0% 40.4% Swing 12.3% 11.7%   Third party Fourth party   Party Liberal Independent Last election 0 seats, 2.0% 7 seats, 9.2% Seats won 3 3 Seat change 3 4 Popular vote 13,053 2,242 Percentage 8.6% 1.5% Swing 6.6% 7.7%
The County of Cumbria within England
Council control before election Conservative Party Council control after election Labour Party

Elections to Cumbria County Council were held on 7 May 1981. This was on the same day as other UK county council elections. The council size was increased to 83 members following a boundary review.^[2] The Labour Party gained control of the council from the Conservative Party.

Results

1981 Cumbria County Council election^[1]

Party		Seats	Gains	Losses	Net gain/loss	Seats %	Votes %	Votes	+/−
	Labour	42			19	50.6	49.0	74,286	12.3
	Conservative	35			17	42.2	40.4	61,242	11.7
	Liberal	3			3	3.6	8.6	13,053	6.6
	Independent	3			4	3.6	1.5	2,242	7.7
	Ecology	0				0.0	0.5	683	New
	PARA	0				0.0	0.1	134	New
	National Front	0				0.0	0.0	59	New