1958 London County Council election

1958 London County Council election

← 1955 16 April 1958 1961 →

First party Second party   Leader Isaac Hayward Norris Kenyon Party Labour Conservative Leader since 1947 1952 Leader's seat Alderman Paddington South Seats won 101 25 Seat change 27 27

An election to the County Council of London took place on 16 April 1958. The council was elected by First Past the Post with each elector having three votes in the three-member seats. The Labour Party, who had already run the council for 24 years, won their largest ever majority.

Campaign

The Labour Party were optimistic about making gains, and targeted seats in Battersea South, Clapham, Lewisham West, Wandsworth Central and Woolwich West. The Conservatives targeted the marginal Labour-held constituencies of Barons Court, Kensington North and Paddington North.^[1] Their manifesto argued that the Labour Party were wasting money; they proposed reducing rates, and encouraged Londoners to move to new towns.^[2]

The Liberal Party stood 31 candidates, but reports suggested that they were hampered by poor organisation, and were not optimistic of taking a seat. The Communist Party of Great Britain and the Independent Labour Party each stood four candidates, while the Socialist Party of Great Britain stood three, and there were seven independents.^[1]

Results

The Labour Party gained 27 seats from the Conservatives,^[3] giving them a record majority on the council.^[4]

References