1974 Strathclyde Regional Council election
7 May 1974 (1974-05-07)
All 103 seats to Strathclyde Regional Council
52 seats needed for a majority
Registered1,773,010
Turnout51.7%
  First party Second party Third party
 
Lab
Con
SNP
Leader Dick Stewart
Party Labour Conservative SNP
Seats won 71 20 5
Popular vote 388,480 250,719 132,871
Percentage 44.0% 28.4% 15.1%
Council Leader after election


Labour

Elections to Strathclyde Regional Council were held on Tuesday 7 May 1974, on the same day as the eight other Scottish regional elections. This was the first election to the regional council following the implementation of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973.

The election used the 103 electoral divisions created by the Formation Electoral Arrangements in 1974. Each electoral division elected one councillor using first-past-the-post voting.[1]

Labour took control of the regional council after winning a large majority of the seats. The party won 71 of the 103 seats and took 44% of the popular vote. The Conservatives were the second-largest party after winning 20 seats. The Scottish National Party (SNP) came third in the popular vote and took five seats. The Liberal Party took two seats while the other five were won by independent candidates.

Background

Prior to reform, local government in Scotland was made up of a system of counties and burghs. County councils controlled most of the local government functions across the country while the burghs had limited powers over smaller geographical areas. Small burghs had some control over planning as well as local taxation, building control, housing, lighting and drainage while large burghs also had further powers over the police, public health, social services, registration of births, marriages and deaths and electoral registration.[2]

Following the recommendations in the Wheatly Report, the old system of counties and burghs – which had resulted in a mishmash of local government areas in which some small burghs had larger populations but far fewer responsibilities than some large burghs and even counties[2] – was to be replaced by a new system of regional and district councils.

The area that was to become Strathclyde was made up of the former counties of Ayrshire, Buteshire, Dunbartonshire, Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire in full as well as the City of Glasgow, most of Argyll and part of Stirlingshire.[2]

Results

1974 Strathclyde Regional Council election
Party Seats Gains Losses Net gain/loss Seats % Votes % Votes +/−
  Labour 71 Steady 68.9 44.0 388,480 Steady
  Conservative 20 Steady 19.4 28.4 250,719 Steady
  SNP 5 Steady 4.9 15.1 132,871 Steady
  Independent 5 Steady 4.9 4.9 43,227 Steady
  Liberal 2 Steady 1.9 4.5 39,839 Steady
  Communist 0 Steady 0.0 1.2 10,437 Steady
  Ind. Conservative 0 Steady 0.0 0.5 4,764 Steady
  Independent Labour 0 Steady 0.0 0.5 4,708 Steady
  Independent Progressive 0 Steady 0.0 0.4 3,778 Steady
  Independent Socialist 0 Steady 0.0 0.3 2,746 Steady
  Paisley Local 0 Steady 0.0 0.1 1,043 Steady
  Socialist Workers Republican 0 Steady 0.0 0.0 140 Steady
Total 103 882,752

Source:[3]

Electoral division results

Argyll District

1. Kintyre
Party Candidate Votes %
Conservative J. McCorkindale 2,520 51.6
Labour D. McMillan 1,550 31.7
Liberal C. MacEchern 817 16.7
Majority 970 19.9
Turnout 4,887 59.5
Conservative win (new seat)
2. Mid Argyll and Islay
Party Candidate Votes %
Conservative A. Jackson 1,588 31.7
Liberal W. Pollock 1,402 28.0
Independent F. Spears 1,075 21.5
Labour J. Stewart 946 18.9
Majority 186 3.7
Turnout 5,011 52.4
Conservative win (new seat)
3. Lorn
Party Candidate Votes %
Independent D. Webster 2,593 45.0
Liberal Janet Michie 2,229 38.7
Labour G. MacKechnie 938 16.3
Majority 364 6.3
Turnout 5,760 55.9
Independent win (new seat)
4. Bute and West Cowal
Party Candidate Votes %
Conservative J. McMillan 2,968 67.9
Independent D. McIntyre 762 17.4
Labour H. McGill 641 14.7
Majority 2,206 50.5
Turnout 4,371 50.9
Conservative win (new seat)
5. Dunoon and East Cowal
Party Candidate Votes %
Conservative L. Hinge 1,635 29.8
Independent T. Henderson 1,350 24.6
Independent T. Crompton 864 15.7
Independent J. Mackinnon 735 13.4
Independent T. Trapp 348 11.8
Labour Isobel Coxon 262 4.8
Majority 285 5.2
Turnout 5,494 61.7
Conservative win (new seat)

Dumbarton District

6. Dumbarton
Party Candidate Votes %
Labour I. Macduff 6,523 65.8
Conservative J. Miller 3,398 34.4
Majority 3,125 31.4
Turnout 9,921 54.5
Labour win
7. Helensburgh
Party Candidate Votes %
Independent W. Petrie 5,869 58.8
Conservative N. Glen 3,174 31.8
Labour Gillian Carr 934 9.4
Majority 2,695 27.0
Turnout 9,977 60.6
Independent win
8. Vale of Leven
Party Candidate Votes %
Labour M. Haran 4,867 46.1
SNP W. Dick 3,444 32.6
Conservative E. Denny 1,898 18.0
Communist A. Bellingham 355 3.4
Majority 1,423 13.5
Turnout 10,564 60.6
Labour win

City of Glasgow District

9. Tollcross/ Parkhead
Party Candidate Votes %
Labour G. McClure 5,111 50.7
SNP B. Nugent 2,498 24.8
Conservative A. Scott 2,343 23.2
Communist W. Kennedy 134 1.3
Majority 2,613 25.9
Turnout 10,564 47.3
Labour win
10. Carntyne/ Camlachie
Party Candidate Votes %
Labour D. Marshall 4,030 57.2
SNP N. Logan 1,725 24.5
Conservative R.B May 1,187 16.8
Communist D. McGregor 107 1.5
Majority 2,305 32.7
Turnout 7,049 41.9
Labour win
11. Easterhouse/ Garthamlock
Party Candidate Votes %
Labour T. Fulton 4,251 57.8
SNP T. Murray 2,331 31.7
Conservative R.J. Howie 468 6.4
Communist J. Jackson 310 4.2
Majority 1,920 26.1
Turnout 7,360 35.5
Labour win
12. Wellhouse/ Queenslie
Party Candidate Votes %
Labour A.J. Long 4,402 57.6
SNP W. Lindsay 2,626 34.4
Conservative G.R. McKay 501 6.6
Communist K. Haldane 110 1.4
Majority 1,776 23.2
Turnout 7,639 45.9
Labour win
13.Riddrie/ Lethamhill
Party Candidate Votes %
Labour Agnes L. Ballantyne 4,281 60.7
SNP G. Wotherspoon 2,167 27.3
Conservative G. Bryce 1,487 18.7
Majority 2,114 33.4
Turnout 7,935 45.9
Labour win
14. City/ Townhead
Party Candidate Votes %
Labour W. Lindsay 3,362 69.7
Conservative W.G. Mackay 734 15.2
SNP J. Gilmer 726 15.1
Majority 2,628 54.5
Turnout 4,822 41.0
Labour win
15.Calton/ Dalmarnock
Party Candidate Votes %
Labour T. McLaren 3,169 60.7
SNP H. MacQueen 744 14.3
Conservative A. Alexander 686 13.1
Liberal W. Gibson Knight 622 11.9
Majority 2,425 46.4
Turnout 5,221 38.8
Labour win
16. Balornock/ Robroyston
Party Candidate Votes %
Labour P. Trainer 4,550 53.8
SNP W. Morton 2,942 34.8
Conservative T. Herriot 819 9.7
Communist N. McLellan 146 1.7
Majority 1,608 19.0
Turnout 8,457 47.4
Labour win
Ward 17. Cowlairs/ Petershill
Party Candidate Votes %
Labour R. Gould 2,895 57.8
SNP J. Young 1,483 29.6
Conservative J. Miller 568 11.3
Communist Jean Maitland 61 1.2
Majority 1,412 28.2
Turnout 5,007 42.3
Labour win
18. Milnbank/ Dennistoun
Party Candidate Votes %
Labour P. McEachran 3,988 44.5
Conservative J.C. Gilbert 2,644 29.5
SNP J.C. Donaldson 2,229 24.9
Communist R. Irving 100 1.1
Majority 1,344 15.0
Turnout 8,961 49.2
Labour win
19. Summerston/ Wyndford
Party Candidate Votes %
Labour L. McGarry 4,775 66.7
Conservative S. Taylor 2,183 30.5
Communist I. Wilson 203 2.8
Majority 2,592 36.2
Turnout 7,161 44.3
Labour win
20. Ruchill/ Milton
Party Candidate Votes %
Labour G. McGrath 4,182 53.3
SNP A. McIntosh 2,778 35.4
Conservative Harriet Paterson 778 9.9
Communist M. Meers 105 1.3
Majority 1,404 17.9
Turnout 7,843 47.1
Labour win
21. Possilpark/Cowcaddens
Party Candidate Votes %
Labour W. Harley 4,636 59.3
SNP J. Brown 2,400 30.7
Conservative A.T. Rennie 646 8.3
Communist J.O. Foster 137 1.8
Majority 1,404 28.6
Turnout 7,819 42.2
Labour win
22. Botanic Gardens/ Park
Party Candidate Votes %
Conservative J.G. Rennie 3,745 58.2
Labour R. Higgins 2,692 41.8
Majority 1,053 16.4
Turnout 6,437 44.6
Conservative win
23. Kelvin/Woodside
Party Candidate Votes %
Labour J. Gray 2,667 49.8
Conservative Mary Goldie 1,968 36.8
Independent Progressive W.M. Hutcheson 476 8.9
Scottish Workers Republican Party W. Montgomery 140 2.6
Communist P. Noon 103 1.9
Majority 699 13.0
Turnout 4,354 45.6
Labour win
24. Partick East/ Anderston
Party Candidate Votes %
Labour M.R. Green 3,248 40.5
Conservative H.J. McGoldrick 2,654 33.1
SNP C. Mackellar 1,930 24.1
Communist W.S. McFall 179 2.2
Majority 594 7.4
Turnout 8,011 49.8
Labour win
25. Anniesland/Kelvinside
Party Candidate Votes %
Conservative L.M. Turple 5,127 49.1
Liberal Louise Steedman 3,405 32.6
Labour Judith Wilkinson 972 9.3
SNP Elizabeth A. Robinson 937 9.0
Majority 1,722 16.5
Turnout 10,441 56.8
Conservative win
26. Scotstoun/ Partick West
Party Candidate Votes %
Conservative Janet S.B. Browning 5,331 40.2
SNP J. Hannah 3,019 22.8
Liberal I. McTavish 830 6.3
Majority 1,250 17.4
Turnout 13,260 56.9
Conservative win
27. Drumry/ Summerhill
Party Candidate Votes %
Labour J. Hemphill 4,282 57,4
SNP I. Cameron 2,443 32.7
Conservative W. Aitken 574 7.7
Communist S. Barr 166 2.2
Majority 1,839 24.7
Turnout 7,465 41.7
Labour win
28. Blairdardie/ Knightscliffe
Party Candidate Votes %
Labour D. McColl 3,883 42.8
SNP A. Gorman 3,019 33.3
Conservative G.A. Kidd 2,036 22.5
Communist J. Moffat 129 1.4
Majority 864 9.5
Turnout 9,067 52.8
Labour win
29. Yoker/ Knightswood
Party Candidate Votes %
Labour W. Perry 4,866 49.1
SNP R. Thomson 2,890 29.1
Conservative A. Rogers 1,965 19.8
Communist P. Morton 195 2.0
Majority 1,976 20.0
Turnout 9,916 50.5
Labour win
30. Gorbals/ Hutchesontown
Party Candidate Votes %
Labour J. Wray 4,760 63.3
SNP G. Baird 1,523 20.2
Conservative A. Green 960 12.8
Communist J. Kray 282 3.8
Majority 3,237 43.1
Turnout 7,525 40.2
Labour win
31. Crosshill/ Prospecthill
Party Candidate Votes %
Labour G.M. Shaw 4,508 45.4
Conservative L. Dorfman 2,748 27.6
SNP D.G. MacKellar 2,546 25.6
Communist A. Stewart 139 1.4
Majority 1,760 17.8
Turnout 9,941 49.7
Labour win
32. Drumoyne/ Fairfield
Party Candidate Votes %
Labour R. McClement 4,056 50.2
SNP T.M. Wilson 2,852 35.3
Conservative Christine Brotherston 1,096 13.6
Communist R. Mitchell 79 1.0
Majority 1,204 14.9
Turnout 8,083 49.4
Labour win
33. Ibrox/ Kingston
Party Candidate Votes %
Labour D. Deans 3,368 48.0
SNP C. McKenna 2,519 33.3
Conservative D. Sinnott 1,417 18.7
Majority 1,119 14.7
Turnout 7,574 48.2
Labour win
34. Hillington/ Bellahouston
Party Candidate Votes %
Labour J.F. McLean 6,487 46.6
Conservative R. Anderson 4,756 34.2
SNP Shiela Watterson 2,510 18.0
Communist G. Neaven 173 1.2
Majority 1,731 12.4
Turnout 13,926 57.9
Labour win
35. Cardonald/ Crookston
Party Candidate Votes %
Labour W. Timoney 5,755 53.6
Conservative M. Reilly 2,608 24.3
SNP D. McBain 2,211 20.6
Communist R.M. Rigby 155 1.4
Majority 3,147 29.3
Turnout 7,525 40.2
Labour win
36. Pollockshields/ Strathbungo
Party Candidate Votes %
Conservative J. Mair 5,720 55.9
Labour E. Clark 2,059 21.8
SNP G. Leslie 1,757 18.6
Liberal W.C. Todd 347 3.7
Majority 3,211 34.1
Turnout 9,433 52.5
Conservative win
37. Camphill/ Pollockshaws
Party Candidate Votes %
Conservative Anna Douglas 4,576 40.9
Labour J.D. Cannell 3,766 33.7
SNP R. Hamilton 2,200 19.7
Liberal R. McIntyre 562 5.0
Communist A. Elliot 72 0.6
Majority 810 7.2
Turnout 11,176 57.5
Conservative win
38. Nitshill/ Darnley
Party Candidate Votes %
Labour Jean Craig 6,071 61.4
SNP D. Murchie 2,759 27.9
Conservative Jan Goudie 873 8.8
Communist G. Currie 181 1.8
Majority 3,312 33.5
Turnout 9,884 44.9
Labour win
39. Newlands/ Mt.Florida
Party Candidate Votes %
Conservative J. Hicks 6,867 73.8
Labour H. McEachan 2,443 26.2
Majority 4,424 47.6
Turnout 9,310 60.6
Conservative win
40. Kings Park/ Castlemilk
Party Candidate Votes %
Labour T. Muir 3,668 41.0
Conservative N.D. Smith 3,501 39.2
SNP A. Carmichael 1,339 15.0
Liberal Christine Forest 326 3.7
Communist L. Raeburn 108 1.2
Majority 167 1.8
Turnout 8,942 50.9
Labour win
41. Linn/ Cathkin
Party Candidate Votes %
Labour J. Fitch 4,148 50.8
Conservative Christine MacInnes 2,709 24.3
SNP A. Ogg 1,169 14.3
Communist A. Hamilton 135 1.7
Majority 1,439 17.6
Turnout 8,161 48.5
Labour win
42. Rutherglen
Party Candidate Votes %
Labour D. Walker 4,324 40.6
Conservative Janet W. Nairn 3,797 35.6
SNP Heather Ewing 2,538 23.8
Majority 527 5.0
Turnout 10,659 55.7
Labour win
43. Baillieston
Party Candidate Votes %
Labour C. McNicol 4,895 52.3
Conservative H. Clark 4,469 47.7
Majority 426 4.6
Turnout 9,364 52.6
Labour win
44. Cambuslang
Party Candidate Votes %
Conservative Bunty Gunn 6,404 45.4
Labour J. Aiton 5,211 36.9
SNP Christine Latta 2,502 17.7
Majority 1,193 8.5
Turnout 14,117 56.6
Conservative win

Clydebank District

46. Clydebank & Kilpatrick South
Party Candidate Votes %
Labour M. Turner 6,300 54.3
SNP D. McKenzie 4,700 40.5
Communist E. Kelly 606 5.2
Majority 1,600 13.8
Turnout 11,606 55.8
Labour win
46. Clydebank & Kilpatrick North
Party Candidate Votes %
Labour W. Worthington 5,820 49.2
Independent Progressive A. Lawson 3,302 27.9
Communist J. Reid 2,700 22.8
Majority 2,518 21.3
Turnout 11,822 60.7
Labour win

Bearsden & Milngavie District

47. Milngavie/ Kilmardinny
Party Candidate Votes %
Independent J.G. Breckenridge 3,304 42.0
Conservative A.I. McAlpine 2,606 33.1
Labour R.E. Black 1,416 18.0
Liberal T.C. Harvey 545 6.9
Majority 698 8.9
Turnout 7,861 66.2
Independent win
48. Bearsden
Party Candidate Votes %
Conservative W. Boyle 5,149 59.3
Independent J.F. Doig 2,585 29.8
Liberal J.A. Thompson 956 11.0
Majority 2,564 29.5
Turnout 8,690 61.1
Conservative win

Bishopbriggs & Kirkintilloch District

49. Kirkintilloch
Party Candidate Votes %
SNP J. Lucas 4,169 36.8
Labour E. McGaughrin 3,502 30.9
Conservative D. Donovan 2,824 24.9
Liberal Marguerite Turcan 836 7.4
Majority 667 5.9
Turnout 11,331 64.8
SNP win
50. Bishopbriggs
Party Candidate Votes %
Independent J. Proctor 3,538 32.9
Labour G. Scobie 2,740 25.5
Conservative N. McCune 2,264 21.1
SNP G. Paterson 2,199 20.5
Majority 798 7.4
Turnout 10,741 61.1
Independent win
51. Chryston & Kelvin Valley
Party Candidate Votes %
Labour C. Gray 5,223 50.7
SNP Esther McKean 5,086 49.3
Majority 137 1.4
Turnout 10,309 63.3
Labour win

Cumbernauld District

52. Cumbernauld South & East
Party Candidate Votes %
SNP G. Murray 5,268 56.3
Labour Agnes McLean 4,088 43.7
Majority 1,180 12.6
Turnout 9,356 57.6
SNP win
Kilsyth & Cumbernauld North West
Party Candidate Votes %
SNP Janette Jones 4,651 50.5
Labour A. Houston 4,128 44.9
Liberal C. Hall 424 4.6
Majority 523 5.6
Turnout 9,203 58.9
SNP win

Monklands District

54. Coatbridge West
Party Candidate Votes %
Labour J. Whelan 5,577 55.2
Conservative Florence Inglis 4,529 44.8
Majority 1,048 10.4
Turnout 10,106 55.1
Labour win
55. Coatbridge East
Party Candidate Votes %
Labour Charlotte Toal 3,981 47.2
Conservative G. Hill 2,676 31.7
Independent Labour H. Hendrie 1,785 21.1
Majority 1,305 15.5
Turnout 8,442 53.4
Labour win
56. Airdrie East
Party Candidate Votes %
Labour R. Stewart 4,482 39.1
Conservative J. Crichton 3,512 30.7
Independent J. Brunton 1,986 17.3
SNP J. Russell 1,480 12.9
Majority 970 8.4
Turnout 11,460 60.0
Labour win
57. Airdrie West
Party Candidate Votes %
Labour J. Donnelly 5,141 54.0
Conservative J. Murdoch 4,378 46.0
Majority 763 8.0
Turnout 9,519 48.4
Labour win

Motherwell District

58. Dalziel
Party Candidate Votes %
Labour B. Scott 4,816 47.8
Conservative E.C. Houston 3,337 33.1
Communist J. Sneddon 1,928 19.1
Majority 1,479 14.7
Turnout 10,071 50.5
Labour win
59. Wishaw
Party Candidate Votes %
Labour J. Gibson 4,424 59.3
Conservative M. Morrison 3,032 40.7
Majority 1,392 18.6
Turnout 7,456 43.9
Labour win
60. Clydevale
Party Candidate Votes %
Labour J. Fyfe 4,873 63.8
Conservative T. Lannigan 2,760 36.2
Majority 2,113 27.6
Turnout 7,633 46.2
Labour win
61. Fortissat
Party Candidate Votes %
Labour J. Burns Unopposed N/A
Majority N/A N/A
Turnout N/A N/A
Labour win
62. Bellshill & Tannochside
Party Candidate Votes %
Labour R. Stewart 4,482 39.1
Conservative J. Crichton 3,512 30.7
Independent J. Brunton 1,986 17.3
SNP J. Russell 1,480 12.9
Majority 970 8.4
Turnout 11,460 60.0
Labour win
63. Clydesdale
Party Candidate Votes %
Labour E. Myles 4,870 54.2
SNP R. Hendrie 2,746 30.5
Conservative M. Jeffrey 966 10.7
Communist D. Bolton 410 4.6
Majority 2,124 23.7
Turnout 8,992 49.1
Labour win

Kilmarnock North

Kilmarnock North
Party Candidate Votes %
Labour J. Hunter 5,541 59.2
Conservative R. Ledgerwood 2,310 24.7
Liberal A. Korn 1,076 11.5
Independent Labour B. Mitchell 429 4.6
Majority 3,231 34.5
Turnout 9,356 45.9
Registered electors 20,616
Labour win (new seat)

Source:[3]

Kilmarnock South

Kilmarnock South
Party Candidate Votes %
Labour W. McCulloch 4,673 47.2
Conservative W. Adams 4,067 41.1
Liberal N. Tosh 1,154 11.7
Majority 606 6.1
Turnout 9,894 50.6
Registered electors 19,746
Labour win (new seat)

Source:[3]

Stewarton and Irvine Valley

Stewarton and Irvine Valley
Party Candidate Votes %
Labour J. McChristie 5,927 55.1
Conservative A. Foote 2,912 27.1
Liberal A. Wight 1,917 17.8
Majority 3,015 28.0
Turnout 10,756 53.5
Registered electors 20,281
Labour win (new seat)

Source:[3]

Cumnock

Cumnock
Party Candidate Votes %
Labour W. Paterson Unopposed
Registered electors 16,182
Labour win (new seat)

Source:[3]

New Cumnock and Doon Valley

New Cumnock and Doon Irvine Valley
Party Candidate Votes %
Labour W. Goudie Unopposed
Registered electors 17,684
Labour win (new seat)

Source:[3]

References

  1. ↑ "Formation Electoral Arrangements". Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 "Information Paper Local government in Scotland: before 1975" (PDF). Boundaries Scotland. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Botchel, J. M.; Denver, D. T. (1975). The Scottish Local Government Elections 1974: Results and Statistics (PDF). Edinburgh: Scottish Academic Press. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
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