An Election to the Edinburgh Corporation was held on 2 November 1897, alongside municipal elections across Scotland, and the wider British local elections . Contests took place in 5 of the cities’ 13 wards, with candidates in the remaining 8 being returned unopposed. Three Portobello wards also held elections. The election was relatively quiet, with no particularly important issues being raised. As a result, the main focus of the election was on the Lord Provost and the personalities of the individual candidates.[1]
The Liberal Sir Mitchell Mitchell-Thomson, 1st Baronet took over as Provost following the election, replacing the Unionist Sir Andrew McDonald.
Aggregate results Edinburgh Corporation election, 1897[1] Party Seats Gains Losses Net gain/loss Seats % Votes % Votes +/− Unionist 5 Liberal 2 Radical 1
Ward Results Results by ward. Newington[1] Party Candidate Votes % ±% Unionist John Harrison 2,431 Liberal Mr Macpherson 2,254 Majority 177 Turnout 4,685 Unionist hold Swing
St. Leonard's[1] Party Candidate Votes % ±% Liberal Robert Menzies 1,776 Socialist William Gall 467 Majority 1,309 Turnout 2,243 Liberal hold Swing
Broughton[1] Party Candidate Votes % ±% Radical Hugh M. Michael 1,108 Unionist James M. Anderson 664 Majority 444 Turnout 1,772 Radical hold Swing
Canongate[1] Party Candidate Votes % ±% Unionist Councillor Gubie 1,116 Social Democratic Federation George Doull 636 Majority 480 Turnout 1,752 Unionist hold Swing
St. George's[1] Party Candidate Votes % ±% Unionist David Purves 1,800 Liberal Councillor Scott 1,519 Majority 281 N/A Turnout 3,319 Unionist gain from Liberal Swing
Portobello: 14th[1] Party Candidate Votes % ±% Unionist W. Gray 306 Liberal Alexander Tod 133 Majority 173 Turnout 439 Unionist hold Swing
Portobello: 15th[1] Party Candidate Votes % ±% Liberal Bailie Brand 274 Unionist J. L. B. Higgin 179 Majority 95 Turnout 453 Liberal hold Swing
Portobello: 16th[1] Party Candidate Votes % ±% Unionist Robert Innes 209 Unionist James Watson 151 Majority 58 Turnout 360 Unionist hold Swing
References ^ a b c d e f g h i j "The Municipal Elections: Edinburgh". The Glasgow Herald . 3 November 1897. p. 8. 
Elections in Edinburgh
