1981 Greater London Council election
← 1977 7 May 1981
92 councillors
47 seats needed for a majority
  First party Second party Third party
 
AdrianSlade1987 (cropped).jpg
Leader Andrew McIntosh[n 1] Horace Cutler Adrian Slade
Party Labour Conservative Liberal
Leader's seat Tottenham Harrow West Richmond
Seats won 50 41 1
Seat change Increase22 Decrease23 Increase1
Popular vote 939,457 894,234 323,856
Percentage 41.8% 39.7% 14.4%
Swing Increase8.9% Decrease12.8% Increase6.6%
Results by electoral division
Leader before election

Horace Cutler
Conservative

Leader after election

Ken Livingstone
Labour

The sixth election to the Greater London Council (GLC) was held on 7 May 1981. Following the election Andrew McIntosh the leader of the Labour Group was replaced by Ken Livingstone, a member of the party's left-wing. This was the last election to the GLC. The Conservative government of Margaret Thatcher soon took the decision to abolish the council in the mid-1980s. Following the abolition of the GLC, there was a direct election to the Inner London Education Authority in 1986.

Electoral arrangements

The GLC was elected from 92 single-member electoral divisions which were identical with the Parliamentary constituencies in Greater London. The election date was fixed by section 43 of the Local Government Act 1972 as the first Thursday in May.

Councillors were elected for a four-year term. This was extended for an extra year in 1984 when the elections that had been scheduled for 1985 were cancelled.[1]

Results

The leader of the Labour GLC group Andrew McIntosh led the party into the election. Within 24 hours of the result, however, McIntosh's leadership was toppled by Ken Livingstone; a member of the party's left-wing. Livingstone was then elected GLC leader.[2] The results were as follows (all parties shown):[3]

Party Votes Seats
Number % +/- Stood Seats % +/-
Labour 939,457 41.8 Increase8.9 92 50 54.3 Increase22
Conservative 894,234 39.7 Decrease12.8 92 41 44.6 Decrease23
Liberal 323,856 14.4 Increase6.6 89 1 1.1 Increase1
National Front 21,582 1.0 Decrease4.4 41 0 0.0 Steady
Social Democratic Alliance 21,582 1.0 New 10 0 0.0 Steady
Ecology 17,515 0.8 Increase0.7 38 0 0.0 Steady
Independent 7,763 0.3 Increase0.2 25 0 0.0 Steady
NNF 5,877 0.3 New 18 0 0.0 Steady
Communist 5,275 0.2 Decrease0.1 16 0 0.0 Steady
Constitutional Movement 4,857 0.2 New 23 0 0.0 Steady
Workers Revolutionary 2,753 0.1 New 16 0 0.0 Steady
Save London Action Group 1,727 0.1 New 13 0 0.0 Steady
Abolish the GLC 1,158 0.1 Decrease0.3 7 0 0.0 Steady
Irish National Party 793 0.0 New 3 0 0.0 Steady
Fellowship 637 0.0 Steady 1 0 0.0 Steady
Ind. Conservative 362 0.0 Steady 1 0 0.0 Steady
New Britain 346 0.0 Steady 1 0 0.0 Steady
Workers (Leninist) 145 0.0 New 1 0 0.0 Steady
Revolutionary Communist 116 New Steady 1 0 0.0 Steady
Socialist (GB) 83 New Steady 1 0 0.0 Steady
Total 2,250,118 489 92

Constituency results

Member of the old council*[4]

Barking and Dagenham

Barking
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour John Benjamin Ward 12,528
Conservative Ronald A Smith 4,357
Liberal Mrs Ronwen R Beadle 2,803
National Front Ian R Newport 555
Constitutional Movement Brian F White 104
Majority
Turnout
Labour hold Swing
Dagenham
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Harry Kay* 15,134
Conservative Mrs Judith A Warner 4,875
Liberal David C Smith 3,508
National Front Ronald A Ferrett 753
Communist Daniel Connor 259
Constitutional Movement Michael D Sowerby 210
Majority
Turnout
Labour hold Swing

Barnet

Chipping Barnet
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative John Reveley Major 13,056
Labour Steven L Powell 5,754
Liberal Mrs Jean W Hawkins 4,003
Ecology Timothy H Cooper 859
Majority
Turnout
Conservative hold Swing
Finchley
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Neville Beale 10,710
Labour Thomas McKendry 8,991
Liberal Christopher Perkin 2,702
Ecology Maureen T Colmans 525
Abolish the GLC Andrew M Moncreiff 113
Majority
Turnout
Conservative hold Swing
Hendon North
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Bryan Michael Deece Cassidy 10,904
Labour Frank Arthur Cooper 10,289
Liberal Leonard W Watkins 2,643
Majority
Turnout
Conservative hold Swing
Hendon South
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Peter Blair Black 9,796
Labour Montague Miller 6,599
Liberal Andrew J Bridgwater 3,933
Majority
Turnout
Conservative hold Swing

Bexley

Bexleyheath
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Victor Rae Muske Langton* 11,087
Labour James A Dawson 8,562
Liberal Colin E Wright 4,550
Ecology Lynda A Sturrock 389
Majority
Turnout
Conservative hold Swing
Erith & Crayford
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Elgar Handy 15,085
Conservative Peter R C Davies 10,239
Liberal Sidney William Frank Saltmarsh 2,983
NFCM Owen Hawke 559
Majority
Turnout
Labour gain from Conservative Swing
Sidcup
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Rodney Charles Gent* 12,869
Labour Audrey M Martin 7,190
Liberal Gillian V Scott 3,596
Majority
Turnout
Conservative hold Swing

Brent

Brent East
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Norman Howard 14,399
Conservative Arthur R Steel 7,181
Workers Revolutionary Gerald J Downing 434
Ind. Conservative Gerard Pierre-Michel 362
Constitutional Movement Raymond J Marsh 328
Majority
Turnout
Labour hold Swing
Brent North
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Alan Hardy 17,602
Labour Lawrence M Nerva 11,165
Liberal Mrs Ann S Arthur 4,072
Constitutional Movement Michael Stubbs 226
Majority
Turnout
Conservative hold Swing
Brent South
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Illtyd Harrington 16,827
Conservative Sujan S Raizada 4,365
Liberal John H Gover 3,316
Workers Revolutionary Robert P Myers 399
Constitutional Movement Roger Tainton 165
Majority
Turnout
Labour hold Swing

Bromley

Beckenham
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Simon James Crawford Randall 12,822
Labour Paul H Brown 5,980
Liberal William Alan Macdonald MacCormick 5,390
Ecology John W Taylor 576
NNF Terence Cavin-Fitzgerald 262
Majority
Turnout
Conservative hold Swing
Chislehurst
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Joan Kathleen Wykes* 13,226
Labour Walter Kenneth Mansfield 9,019
Liberal Michael F Deves 3,022
Ecology Hugh G Duncan 527
NNF Alfred Waite 309
Majority
Turnout
Conservative hold Swing
Orpington
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Jean Tatham* 17,210
Liberal John C A Sachs 11,325
Labour Keith R Morton 4,704
Ecology Richard G Connor 503
NNF Leslie T Taylor 325
Majority
Turnout
Conservative hold Swing
Ravensbourne
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Michael John Wheeler* 12,099
Labour John Richard Holbrook 4,187
Liberal Ronald Lawrence Coverson 3,760
Ecology Peter J Greenwood 595
NNF Mrs Bridget Smoker 175
Abolition of Rates Frank H. Hansford-Miller 102
Majority
Turnout
Conservative hold Swing

Camden

Hampstead
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Alan David Greengross 12,367
Labour Miss Margaret A V Bowman 10,446
Liberal Roger G Billins 4,095
Ecology Iain M Huddleston 677
Save London Action Group Anthony B P Mockler 73
Majority
Turnout
Conservative hold Swing
Holborn & St Pancras South
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Charles Andrew Rossi 7,796
Conservative Richard G Bull 5,051
Liberal Roger Karn 1,694
Constitutional Movement Paul T Kavanagh 218
Majority
Turnout
Labour hold Swing
St Pancras North
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Anne Hallowell Sofer 9,935
Conservative Ian Pasley-Tyler 5,202
Liberal Dennis G Strojwas 1,506
Workers Revolutionary Cornelius P Murphy 148
Majority
Turnout
Labour hold Swing

Croydon

Croydon Central
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Robert Gurth Hughes 14,058
Labour John K P Evers 11,231
Liberal Patrick S Ryan 3,947
Majority
Turnout
Conservative hold Swing
Croydon North East
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Arthur James Rolfe 11,486
Labour Peter L Spalding 9,308
Liberal Leslie Anthony Rowe 3,506
Majority
Turnout
Conservative hold Swing
Croydon North West
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Stephen James Stewart 10,891
Labour Mrs Mary M Walker 10,072
Liberal William Henry Pitt 2,878
National Front Keith E J Martin 395
Majority
Turnout
Conservative hold Swing
Croydon South
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Peter Stuart Gill 17,340
Liberal Donald G Pratt 5,709
Labour Michael P J Phelan 3,485
Majority
Turnout
Conservative hold Swing

Ealing

Acton
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative John Chaytor Dobson* 12,599
Labour Jennifer Fletcher 10,208
Liberal Simon James Rowley 2,918
Ecology Paul Gorka 310 n/a
Irish National Party James O'Leary 214 n/a
Save London Action Group Helen M Elliott 182 n/a
Communist Jerome C Spring 139
Workers Revolutionary Martin Larkin 118 n/a
Majority
Turnout
Conservative hold Swing
Ealing North
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Gareth John Daniel 16,681
Conservative Sir Malby Sturges Crofton* 16,297
Liberal Brian R Pollock 5,702
NNF James Shaw 500
Irish National Party Daniel P O'Brien 235 n/a
Independent Protect Individual Rights John A Torrence 164 n/a
Constitutional Movement John A Murphy 159 n/a
Majority
Turnout
Labour gain from Conservative Swing
Southall
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Yvonne Sieve* 16,714
Conservative Robin J P Wheatley 8,419
Liberal Eric Reginald Lubbock 2,804
Independent Southall Mr Clean Shambu D Gupta 2,619 n/a
Communist Vishnu D Sharma 872 n/a
National Front Ernest Pendrous 569
Irish National Party Mrs Bridget G O'Leary 344 n/a
Workers Revolutionary Peter P Doraisamy 134 n/a
Constitutional Movement Richard Franklin 132 n/a
Rebublican Party Sohan L Bodh 111 n/a
Majority
Turnout
Labour hold Swing

Enfield

Edmonton
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Kenneth Watson Little 13,831
Conservative Ellen E Saul 7,813
Liberal Barbara G Adams 2,360
NNF David J Bruce 496
Abolish the GLC Pamela J Adams 235
Constitutional Movement David Izzard 145
Majority
Turnout
Labour hold Swing
Enfield North
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Anthony McBrearty 12,994
Conservative John Alfred Boris Connors* 12,249
Liberal David R Affleck 3,982
Ecology David J Merryweather 446
NNF David G Robinson 377
Abolish the GLC Dennis J E Keighley 186
Constitutional Movement Ramon P Johns 130
Majority
Turnout
Labour gain from Conservative Swing
Southgate
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Rachel Trixie Anne Gardner 17,535
Labour Miss Gladys E M Stanbridge 7,141
Liberal Alan M Abrahams 3,997
NNF Mark W Lavine 334
Abolish the GLC Colin Sibley 330
Constitutional Movement Mrs Janice E Izzard 189
Majority
Turnout
Conservative hold Swing

Greenwich

Greenwich
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Deirdre Frances Mary Wood 12,857
Conservative Peter J Bassett 6,571
Liberal Anthony J W Renouf 2,001
Fellowship Ronald Stephen Mallone 637
National Front Leslie Bristo 319
NNF June R Dunster 225
Abolition of Rates Phyllis Hansford-Miller 129
Majority
Turnout
Labour hold Swing
Woolwich East
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Mair Eluned Garside 14,596
Conservative David Arthur Stephen Tredinnick 4,920
Liberal David J Hall 2,094
Ecology Nicholas P F Drey 260
National Front Frank S Hitches 190
NNF Henry E Dunster 186
Workers Revolutionary Alan Clark 169
Majority
Turnout
Labour hold Swing
Woolwich West
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Neil Davies 14,431
Conservative David Glynn Ashby* 11,522
Liberal Edward J Randall 3,034
Ecology David R Daniels 399
National Front William J Lovell 241
NNF Sidney L Skeggs 117
Majority
Turnout
Labour gain from Conservative Swing

Hackney

Hackney Central
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour John Adam Carr 11,402
Conservative James C Murphy 2,684
Communist Leslie Jones 611
National Front John D Field 564
Independent Augustus Wodhams 521 n/a
Enoch Powell is Right Robin May 504 n/a
Majority
Turnout
Labour hold Swing
Hackney North & Stoke Newington
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Co-op Gerald Ross 10,045
Conservative Leslie R. House 3,592
Liberal Maurice S. Owen 2,243
Communist Monty Goldman 444
Enoch Powell is Right Sylvia May 341 n/a
National Front Ralph Ashton 192
East London Workers Against Racism Joan Lalmont 187 n/a
Workers Revolutionary William P. Rogers 159 n/a
Independent Goksel Hassan 101 n/a
Majority
Turnout
Labour hold Swing
Hackney South & Shoreditch
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Joan Margaret Morgan* 8,410
Liberal Stephen J C Walkley 2,585
Conservative Bernard Lansman 2,287
National Front Gerald Viner 636
Enoch Powell is Right George Williams 399 n/a
Communist Helen L Rosenthal 321 n/a
Workers Revolutionary Peter Curtis 86 n/a
Majority
Turnout
Labour hold Swing

Hammersmith and Fulham

Fulham
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Barrington John Stead 13,304
Conservative John Charles Putnam* 12,537
Liberal William George Wintle 2,625
Ecology Roger J Coward 386
National Front Alistair I S Cameron 282
Save London Action Group Ms Linda Hobbs 102
Abolish the GLC Colin R Box 68
Majority
Turnout
Labour gain from Conservative Swing
Hammersmith North
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour David Christopher Wetzel 11,882
Conservative William Christopher Smith* 7,544
Liberal Miss Margaret A Connaughton 2,009
Ecology Deborah M Sutherland 571
National Front Robert L J Pearse 384
Save London Action Group David A M Constable 194
Majority
Turnout
Labour gain from Conservative Swing

Haringey

Hornsey
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Anthony Bernard Hart 12,311
Conservative Christopher Hannington 11,758
Liberal Richard D Kennard 2,870
Ecology Miriam F Daus 740
Majority
Turnout
Labour hold Swing
Tottenham
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Andrew Robert McIntosh 10,775
Conservative Alan T Amos 3,802
Liberal Katherine Alexander 1,605
Constitutional Movement Alexander Clark 277
Workers Revolutionary Richard D Goldstein 189
Majority
Turnout
Labour hold Swing
Wood Green
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Michael Ward 10,908
Conservative Jenefer Gwendolen Anne Riley* 8,159
Liberal Alan N Sherwell 2,010
National Front Anthony J Deboise 359
New Britain Robert G Pritchard 346
Majority
Turnout
Labour gain from Conservative Swing

Harrow

Harrow Central
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Jill Elizabeth Clack 8,002
Labour Alfred H Elderton 6,618
Liberal Stephen B A F H Giles-Medhurst 5,107
Independent Labour Edward J O Hixon 103 n/a
Majority
Turnout
Conservative hold Swing
Harrow East
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Harold Trevor Mote* 10,678
Labour John G. Bartlett 8,452
Liberal John S. Winter 3,357
Constitutional Movement Leslie Edward David Le Croissette 296
Majority
Turnout
Conservative hold Swing
Harrow West
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Sir Horace Walter Cutler* 14,524
Labour Kerry Underwood 6,542
Liberal Ronald Fraser Dick 4,943
Constitutional Movement Bernard W. Robinson 271 n/a
Majority
Turnout
Conservative hold Swing

Havering

Hornchurch
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Alan Ronald Williams 13,734
Conservative Robert James MacGillivray Neill 10,845
Liberal Adrienne L. McCarthy 4,226
Majority
Turnout
Labour gain from Conservative Swing
Romford
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Bernard Brook-Partridge* 12,041
Labour Jack Hoepelman 9,029
Liberal Pauline A. Longhorn 3,123
National Front Madeline Pauline V. Caine 562
Majority
Turnout
Conservative hold Swing
Upminster
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Anthony William Bays 14,549
Labour Graham W. Allen 12,391
Liberal David J. Ingle 4,213
National Front William J. Neary 655
Majority
Turnout
Conservative hold Swing

Hillingdon

Hayes & Harlington
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour John Martin McDonnell 12,871
Conservative Arthur Horace Sydney Hull* 8,525
Liberal Alan H. Rowland 3,628
Communist John C. Mansfield 299
Majority
Turnout
Labour hold Swing
Ruislip-Northwood
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Cyril Julian Hebden Taylor* 17,147
Labour Keith Goldsworthy 5,791
Liberal George Raymond Stephenson 4,958
Constitutional Movement George W. Bryant 196 n/a
Majority
Turnout
Conservative hold Swing
Uxbridge
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative James Anthony Lemkin* 15,413
Labour Patrick J. Magee 11,791
Liberal Brian Outhwaite 3,675
Constitutional Movement Jane O. Stubbs 148
Majority
Turnout
Conservative hold Swing

Hounslow

Brentford & Isleworth
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative George Nicholas Alexander Bailey 17,695
Labour Roy G Gregory 15,091
Liberal Joan B Langrognat 3,342
Save London Action Group Paul A Hughes-Smith 233
Full Employment & Anti-Common Market Reginald E G Simmerson 201
Constitutional Movement Gareth D Pearce 104
Majority
Turnout
Conservative hold Swing
Feltham & Heston
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Peter Samuel Pitt 18,788
Conservative Ronald Dennis Mitchell* 12,565
Liberal Mrs Ann M Alagappa 3,629
Majority
Turnout
Labour gain from Conservative Swing

Islington

Islington Central
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Simon John Turney* 9,675
Conservative Peter R Crockford 3,788
Liberal Margot Joan Dunn 1,744
NNF John R Smith 333
Workers Revolutionary Mrs Sylvia Lincoln 133
Constitutional Movement Philip Holden 118
Majority
Turnout
Labour hold Swing
Islington North
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Stephen Bundred 10,401
Conservative Kenneth E J Graham 3,564
Social Democratic Alliance Patrick Sheeran 2,505
Liberal Christopher T Johnson 812
Constitutional Movement Shaun P Bowdidge 152
Majority
Turnout
Labour hold Swing
Islington South & Finsbury
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Frances M Morrell 7,296
Conservative John D E Gallagher 3,014
Social Democratic Alliance Douglas Eden 2,707
Liberal John P Hudson 696
National Front John B Donegan 447
Constitutional Movement Francis T Theobald 109
Socialist (GB) Barry K McNeeney 83
Majority
Turnout
Labour hold Swing

Kensington and Chelsea

Chelsea
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative William Archibald Ottley Juxon Bell* 12,131
Labour Stephen Benn 3,810
Liberal Jennifer Margaret Ware 2,793
Save London Action Group Mrs Mary P W Colmore 316 n/a
Majority
Turnout
Conservative hold Swing
Kensington
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Robert Louis Vigars* 9,579
Labour Stephen Peter Hoier 7,317
Liberal Ernest Richard Tudway 1,907
Social Democratic Alliance Len Green 650 n/a
Ecology Roger E Shorter 427 n/a
Communist Edward S Adams 161
Workers Revolutionary Lesley E Gould 101 n/a
Save London Action Group Maureen V M Cornwall 97 n/a
Majority
Turnout
Conservative hold Swing

Kingston upon Thames

Kingston upon Thames
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Sydney William Leonard Ripley* 11,551
Labour Stuart Henry James Hercock 5,739
Liberal Stephen J Harris 4,894
Social Democratic Alliance Anthony M Ward 1,544
Ecology Mike Elam 355
Majority
Turnout
Conservative hold Swing
Surbiton
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Geoffrey John David Seaton* 9,998
Labour Andrew Stuart MacKinlay 6,056
Liberal Patrick Thurlbeck Humphrey 3,246
Ecology Jim MacLellan 432 n/a
Independent— Pauline E L M Russell 82 n/a
Majority
Turnout
Conservative hold Swing

Russell: Abolitionist

Lambeth

Lambeth Central
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Paul David Moore 8,349
Conservative Douglas S Mills 4,788
Social Democratic Alliance Roger G Fox 1,737
Liberal Christopher Josef Sadowski 865
National Front Roger L Denny 321
Communist Mrs Jean E Styles 178
Revolutionary Communist Kevin Green 116
Majority
Turnout
Labour hold Swing
Norwood
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Prof. Norman John David Smith* 10,700
Labour Edward Robert Knight 8,107
Social Democratic Alliance Stephen Michael Alan Haseler 3,709
Liberal Fraser K. Murrey 1,443
National Front Catherine M. Williams 423
Ratepayers Watchdog Bernard Webb 317
Fair Rates, Anti-Corruption Sidney A. Chaney 73
Majority
Turnout
Conservative hold Swing
Streatham
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Frederick Walter Weyer* 13,340
Labour Michael F Drake 7,259
Liberal Christine L Headley 3,732
National Front John G Wright 344
Save London Alliance Martin C Gowar 126
Public Safety Democratic Monarchist White Resident William George Boaks 82
Majority
Turnout
Conservative hold Swing
Vauxhall
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Brinley Howard Davies* 7,383
Conservative Richard M S O'Sullivan 4,177
Social Democratic Alliance Rev. David M Mason 2,262
Liberal John W Parton 830
National Front Vernon C Atkinson 508
Majority
Turnout
Labour hold Swing

Lewisham

Deptford
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Alexander Charles Mackay 11,698
Liberal Miss Hilary J Kramer 7,479
Conservative William A A Wells 4,438
NNF Richard C Edmonds 487
Ecology Mrs Elaine A Gibson 406
Constitutional Movement Trevor M Smith 91
Majority
Turnout
Labour hold Swing
Lewisham East
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Paul Nigel Rossi 15,887
Conservative Jonathan Sayeed 10,758
Liberal John R Hassall 3,005
NNF Stephen P Greene 719
Abolition of Rates Fannie E Saffery 272
Communist Michael Power 267
Workers Revolutionary Donovan H St E Chapman 143
Majority
Turnout
Labour hold Swing
Lewisham West
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Alan Lewis Herbert* 12,984
Conservative Robin F Pitt 10,709
Liberal Gwilym J Savill 2,333
NNF Ramon F Hoy 511
Ecology Susan M Kennedy 242
Constitutional Movement Susan C McKenzie 100
Majority
Turnout
Labour hold Swing

Merton

Mitcham & Morden
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Anthony Robert Judge 13,299
Conservative Brian Joseph Shenton* 10,588
Liberal Ronald Arthur Locke 3,681
National Front John R Perryman 693
Ecology Roger C Stanley 330
Majority
Turnout
Labour gain from Conservative Swing
Wimbledon
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Stanley Charles Bolton* 16,548
Labour Rock Benedict Tansey 9,645
Liberal Andrew C Trompeteler 3,889
Ecology Antony Jones 781
National Front Mark T Spong 376
Teacher Frank Barnett 162
Majority
Turnout
Conservative hold Swing

Newham

Newham North East
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour John Wilson* 14,231 61.6 +12.0
Conservative Christopher D. Sills 4,563 19.8 -17.9
Liberal David John Corney 2,608 11.3 n/a
National Front Robert S.F. Young 850 3.7 -9.0
East London Workers Against Racism Farehk Afzal 469 2.0 n/a
Workers Revolutionary Keith R. Scotcher 198 0.9 n/a
Constitutional Movement Timothy S. Bennett 173 0.7 n/a
Majority 9,668 41.8 +29.9
Turnout 35.8
Labour hold Swing +14.9
Newham North West
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Arthur Frank George Edwards* 11,724 69.6 +16.0
Conservative David R. Bick 2,530 15.0 -17.6
Liberal Christopher M. Hill 1,845 10.9 +6.8
National Front William J. Roberts 753 4.5 -5.20
Majority 9,194 54.6 +33.6
Turnout 33.0
Labour hold Swing +16.8
Newham South
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Thomas Alfred Jenkinson* 11,238 70.6 +15.9
Conservative Robert F. Williams 1,899 11.9 -12.5
Liberal William P. Galinis 1,780 11.2 +7.8
National Front Michael B. Hipperson 1,006 6.3 n/a
Majority 9,339 58.7 +28.4
Turnout 30.7
Labour hold Swing +14.2

Redbridge

Ilford North
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Marion Audrey Roe* 15,022
Labour Michael M A Killingworth 11,857
Liberal Gary P Straight 3,236
National Front Harold Marshall 387
Ecology Neil Jeffries 330
NNF Keith Sims 92
Majority
Turnout
Conservative hold Swing
Ilford South
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Edward Stephen Gouge 11,561
Conservative Arnold Kinzley* 10,115
Liberal Ralph John Scott 2,988
NNF Peter J Clark 342
Ecology David Matanle 247
Majority
Turnout
Labour gain from Conservative Swing
Wanstead & Woodford
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Robert Mitchell* 13,355
Labour Paul R Fiander 4,770
Liberal Alan Frank Cornish 4,616
Ecology Mrs Cynthia Warth 625
National Front Denis G Holland 354
Communist Anthony J Briscoe 186
NNF Robert A Martin 87
Majority
Turnout
Conservative hold Swing

Richmond upon Thames

Richmond
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Adrian Carnegie Slade 14,168
Conservative Edward Julian Egerton Leigh* 14,053
Labour Elizabeth Nash 2,431
Ecology Barnaby Martin 300
Save London Action Group Ms Gwendoline M Marsh 112
Majority
Turnout
Liberal gain from Conservative Swing
Twickenham
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative George William Tremlett* 17,513
Liberal John P M Rowlands 15,906
Labour Brian A Kemp 4,856
Ecology Peter Furtado 486
Majority
Turnout
Conservative hold Swing

Southwark

Bermondsey
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour George Edward Nicholson 12,000
Liberal Simon Henry Ward Hughes 2,914
Conservative Nicholas Paul Mearing-Smith 2,444
National Front James Stephen Sneath 830
Majority
Turnout
Labour hold Swing
Dulwich
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Lesley Hammon 13,039
Conservative Gerald Francis Bowden* 10,041
Liberal Jonathan Nigel Hunt 3,526
National Front Patrick McConnell 684
Ecology David A Smart 525
Abolish the GLC William E S Newton 110
Majority
Turnout
Labour gain from Conservative Swing
Peckham
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Harvey William Hinds* 12,461
Conservative John Alan Redwood 2,702
Liberal Gillian Isabel Clemens 1,669
National Front Wayne L Martin 971
Communist Eric L Hodson 313
Abolish the GLC Brian W Dames 116
Majority
Turnout
Labour hold Swing

Sutton

Carshalton
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Sonia Copland* 14,070
Labour John A S Weir 10,548
Liberal Thomas Edward Dutton 7,059
National Front Denis V Horton 513
Ecology Robert W Steel 490
Majority
Turnout
Conservative hold Swing
Sutton & Cheam
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Muriel Gumbel* 15,666
Liberal Elizabeth M Sharp 14,664
Labour Philip J Bassett 3,555
Ecology Jonathan P Vickery 312
Majority
Turnout
Conservative hold Swing

Tower Hamlets

Bethnal Green & Bow
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Sir Ernest Ashley Bramall* 9,162
Liberal Brian Williams 7,591
Conservative Christopher William Nolan 1,230
National Front Victor J Clark 755
NFCM Alan J Wilkens 257
East London Workers Against Racism Fran Eden 211
Workers Revolutionary Angela Mitchell 185
Majority
Turnout
Labour hold Swing
Stepney & Poplar
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour John Patrick Branagan* 14,538
Conservative Mrs Elizabeth N Spencer 2,458
National Front Peter W Poinery-Rudd 618
Communist Max Samuel Levitas 487
Enoch Powell is Right Ms Jean R White 487
Ecology David J Fitzpatrick 475
Majority
Turnout
Swing

Waltham Forest

Chingford
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Richard Maddock Brew* 13,501
Labour Benjamin B Birnbaum 7,057
Liberal Miss Lucille D Wells 3,634
Ecology John E Morgan 847
National Front Mrs Irene McDuff 694
Majority
Turnout
Conservative hold Swing
Leyton
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Peter John Dawe 12,953
Conservative Waldemar Thor Neilson-Hansen* 6,008
Liberal Robert F Sullivan 3,071
National Front Colin R Coward 734
Communist John Arthur Courcouf 242
Majority
Turnout
Labour gain from Conservative Swing
Walthamstow
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Paul Yaw Boateng 9,749
Conservative Mark A L Batchelor 5,293
Social Democratic Alliance Peter L Leighton 3,068
Liberal Robert J Wheatley 1,572
National Front George J F Flaxton 824
Ecology Jean Denise Lambert 544
Majority
Turnout
Labour hold Swing

Wandsworth

Battersea North
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Gladys Felicia Dimson* 11,143
Conservative Mrs Margaret Riddell 4,760
Liberal James G Caple 981
National Front Michael J Salt 493
Ecology Paul W Ekins 299
Workers Revolutionary Sandra Baker 70
Save London Action Group Ralston L Winn 43
Majority
Turnout
Labour hold Swing
Battersea South
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Valerie Wise 9,525
Conservative Mrs Margaret Williams* 8,956
Liberal Charles S Welchman 2,359
Ecology Bruce MacKenzie 337
National Front Anthony W Perry 275
Save London Action Group Ms Catherine D Kennington 35
Majority
Turnout
Labour gain from Conservative Swing
Putney
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Andrew Phillip Harris 14,488
Conservative Jeffrey Gordon 13,741
Liberal Colin Gordon Darracott 3,813
Social Democratic Alliance Michael J Burton 1,555
National Front Ms Shirley Attree 393
Ecology Ms Geraldine A Goller 240
Save London Action Group Mrs Mary M Giles 53
Majority
Turnout
Labour hold Swing
Tooting
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Anthony Louis Banks 12,127
Conservative Thomas Alfred Leefe Ham* 7,268
Liberal Ian D Mason 2,278
National Front Peter Berbridge 443
Ecology Donald J Valentine 314
Communist Robert E Lewis 281
Workers Revolutionary Adrian L Greeman 145
Majority
Turnout
Labour gain from Conservative Swing

Westminster and the City of London

City of London & Westminster South
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative David James Avery 9,660
Labour Reg M Fryer 4,628
Liberal Adrian A Walker-Smith 1,807
Communist Jeremy J Clark 215
Save London Action Group Alison A Furness 178
Workers Revolutionary David W Gilbert 87
Majority
Turnout
Swing
Paddington
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Kenneth Robert Livingstone* 11,864
Conservative Patricia Mary Kirwan* 8,467
Social Democratic Alliance James Spillius 1,845
Liberal Alastair John Brett 1,135
National Front William T. Acton 237
Save London Action Group David P. Green 109
Majority
Turnout
Labour gain from Conservative Swing
St Marylebone
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Herbert Henry Sandford* 8,183
Labour Co-op Jean Merriton 4,573
Liberal Penelope E. Baker 1,305
Ecology Audrey B. Hickey 408
Majority
Turnout
Conservative hold Swing

By-elections 1981-1986

Further information: List of Greater London Council by-elections

The following by-elections took place between May 1981 and May 1986.[5]

St. Pancras North, October 1981
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
SDP Anne Hallowell Sofer* 6,919 43.6
Labour Mildred Gordon 6,181 39.0 -20.2
Conservative Ian Pasley-Tyler 2,684 16.9 -14.1
Abolish the GLC John J de R West 82 0.5 n/a
Majority 738 4.6 54.8
Turnout 15,866 38.6
SDP gain from Labour Swing +27.4
Tottenham, May 1983
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Jennifer Fletcher 8,984
Conservative Peter L Murphy 5,835
Liberal Alexander S C L'Estrange 2,089
National Front John B Donegan 244
Majority
Turnout 40.1
Labour hold Swing
Surbiton, September 1983
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Anthony Francis Arbour 5,458
SDP Christopher Nowakowski 3,870
Labour Allister H McGowan 2,184
Ecology Jim Maclellan 202
Communist Jean S F Turner 58
Majority
Turnout 25.0
Conservative hold Swing
Edmonton, September 1984
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Kenneth W Little* 9,340
SDP Alan J Wall 2,007
Ind. Conservative Kevin Miller 802
National Front Brent A Cheetham 167
Ecology Stephen Rooney 85
Majority
Turnout 20.4
Labour hold Swing
Hayes & Harlington, September 1984
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour John Martin McDonnell* 11,279 68.9 +18.1
SDP Peter F N Russell 4,870 29.7 +15.4
National Front Mark T Spong 227 1.4 n/a
Majority 6,409 39.2
Turnout 16,376 28.3
Labour hold Swing +1.3
Lewisham West, September 1984
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Alan Lewis Herbert 10,432 66.3
Liberal Julian M Davies 4,715 29.9
Pro-Abolition Alliance Michael Moore 330 2.1 n/a
National Front John G Wright 266 1.7
Majority 5,717 36.3
Turnout 15,743 26.3
Labour hold Swing
Paddington, September 1984
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Kenneth Robert Livingstone* 12,414
Liberal Stephen J Harris 2,729
Conservative, Anti-Common Market Reginald E G Simmerson 287
Abolish the GLC Stephen W D Banks 226
National Front Roger L Denny 123
Reform schools George A Clerick 55
Gaitskellite Labour Peter J. Nealton 45
Majority
Turnout 29.9
Labour hold Swing
Battersea North, June 1985
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour John Vincent Norman Lucas 7,321
Liberal Stephen J Pearson 1,877
Ecology Sonia G Willington
Majority
Turnout 23.5
Labour hold Swing
Putney, June 1985
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Margaret Anne Jenkins 8,680
SDP Jeremy N Ambache 4,900
Ecology Christopher Cantwell 392
Pro-Abolition Alliance Mark W Hatherell 171
Majority
Turnout 22.5
Labour hold Swing
Romford, July 1985
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Robert James MacGillivray Neill 7,122
Labour Gillian C. Hannah-Rogers 4,793
Liberal Pauline A. Longhorn 4,332
Ecology Diane R. Burgess 431
Majority
Turnout 29.5
Conservative hold Swing
Vauxhall, July 1985
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Michael William Tuffrey 4,600 20.4 +28.6
Labour Lorna M Boreland 4,212 48.7 -3.8
National Front John G Wright 253 2.7 -0.6
Pro-Abolition Alliance Simon H Fawthorp 113 1.2 n/a
Communist David J S Cook 110 1.2 n/a
Revolutionary Communist Jean Smith 93 1.0 n/a
Majority 32.4
Turnout 9,381 24.7
Liberal gain from Labour Swing +16.2

Notes

  1. ^ Andrew McIntosh led the party into the election. Within 24 hours however McIntosh's leadership was toppled by Ken Livingstone; a member of the party's left-wing.

References

  1. ^ "Local Government (Interim Provisions) Act 1984" (PDF). legislation.gov.uk. Archived (PDF) from the original on 17 December 2010.
  2. ^ Webber, Esther (31 March 2016). "The rise and fall of the GLC". BBC News. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
  3. ^ Boothroyd, David. "GLC Election Results Summaries". United Kingdom Election Results. Archived from the original on 1 September 2018. Retrieved 9 February 2009.
  4. ^ "Greater London Council Election: 7 May 1981" (PDF). London Datastore. 1981. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 August 2013. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
  5. ^ "Appendix B By-elections for Greater London councillors, May 1981 to May 1986" (PDF). London Datastore. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
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