Greater London Council election, 1964
Encyclopedia
The first election to the Greater London Council
was held on 9 April 1964. The election happened at a time of very high political tension, with a general election due in a few months. When the GLC had been created, many had assumed it would be a natural Conservative victory, but due to the exclusion of some Conservative-voting areas from the new boundaries and to the national trend of some dissatisfaction with the Conservative government and enthusiasm for the Labour opposition, Labour won a narrow victory in votes. The GLC did not come into its powers until 1 April 1965, but spent the first year setting up its committee structure and arranging with its predecessor authorities to take over.
With no satisfactory sub-divisions in place, the electoral system used multi-member 'first past the post' in the new London Borough
s (the Parliamentary constituencies did not follow the Greater London boundaries). The large constituencies where the winner took all exaggerated Labour's win in votes into a near two-to-one lead in terms of seats. It also made it extremely difficult for the Liberal Party to win any seats. In addition to the 100 councillors, there were sixteen Aldermen who divided 11 to Labour and 5 to the Conservatives, the strength of the parties on the council was 75 Labour to 41 Conservatives.
With an electorate of 5,466,756, there was a turnout of 44.2%. Labour did particularly well to win Bexley
and Havering
, but performed poorly in Enfield
which they might have expected to win. In Tower Hamlets
, the Communist Party of Great Britain came in as runners-up with 8% of the vote.
) died and precipitated a byelection; however, given that the voters had elected the GLC and the new London Boroughs, the parties were short of money and the Conservatives decided not to oppose the Labour candidate who was returned unopposed on 18 June. Oliver Galley (Conservative, Harrow
, died in October 1965 and the Conservatives retained his seat at a byelection on 27 January 1966. By the end of the term, there were two seats vacant due to the resignations of Sir Joseph Haygarth (Conservative, Barnet
) and Mrs Mavis Webster (Labour, Waltham Forest
).
Greater London Council
The Greater London Council was the top-tier local government administrative body for Greater London from 1965 to 1986. It replaced the earlier London County Council which had covered a much smaller area...
was held on 9 April 1964. The election happened at a time of very high political tension, with a general election due in a few months. When the GLC had been created, many had assumed it would be a natural Conservative victory, but due to the exclusion of some Conservative-voting areas from the new boundaries and to the national trend of some dissatisfaction with the Conservative government and enthusiasm for the Labour opposition, Labour won a narrow victory in votes. The GLC did not come into its powers until 1 April 1965, but spent the first year setting up its committee structure and arranging with its predecessor authorities to take over.
With no satisfactory sub-divisions in place, the electoral system used multi-member 'first past the post' in the new London Borough
London borough
The administrative area of Greater London contains thirty-two London boroughs. Inner London comprises twelve of these boroughs plus the City of London. Outer London comprises the twenty remaining boroughs of Greater London.-Functions:...
s (the Parliamentary constituencies did not follow the Greater London boundaries). The large constituencies where the winner took all exaggerated Labour's win in votes into a near two-to-one lead in terms of seats. It also made it extremely difficult for the Liberal Party to win any seats. In addition to the 100 councillors, there were sixteen Aldermen who divided 11 to Labour and 5 to the Conservatives, the strength of the parties on the council was 75 Labour to 41 Conservatives.
With an electorate of 5,466,756, there was a turnout of 44.2%. Labour did particularly well to win Bexley
London Borough of Bexley
The London Borough of Bexley lies in south east Greater London, and is a borough referred to as part of Outer London. It has common borders with the London Borough of Bromley to the south, the London Borough of Greenwich to the west, across the River Thames to the north it borders the London...
and Havering
London Borough of Havering
The London Borough of Havering is a London borough in North East London, England and forms part of Outer London. The principal town in Havering is Romford and the other main communities are Hornchurch, Upminster and Rainham. The borough is mainly characterised by suburban development with large...
, but performed poorly in Enfield
London Borough of Enfield
The London Borough of Enfield is the most northerly London borough and forms part of Outer London. It borders the London Boroughs of Barnet, Haringey and Waltham Forest...
which they might have expected to win. In Tower Hamlets
London Borough of Tower Hamlets
The London Borough of Tower Hamlets is a London borough to the east of the City of London and north of the River Thames. It is in the eastern part of London and covers much of the traditional East End. It also includes much of the redeveloped Docklands region of London, including West India Docks...
, the Communist Party of Great Britain came in as runners-up with 8% of the vote.
Results
| Greater London Council election, 1964 | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Votes | Votes % | Candidates | Seats | |||||
| 1,063,390 | 44.6 | 100 | 64 | ||||||
| 956,543 | 40.1 | 100 | 36 | ||||||
| 238,967 | 10.0 | 86 | |||||||
| 90,779 | 3.8 | 36 | |||||||
| 19,983 | 0.9 | 9 | |||||||
| Waltham Forest London Borough of Waltham Forest The London Borough of Waltham Forest is in northeast London, England. Officially, it forms part of Outer London as it borders Essex. However, it can be seen that the NE London boundary does not extend far compared to elsewhere in the city... Residents' Association |
5,858 | 0.3 | 3 | ||||||
| Christian Independent | 2,895 | 0.1 | 1 | ||||||
| New Liberal | 2,474 | 0.1 | 3 | ||||||
| 2,353 | 0.1 | 2 | |||||||
By-elections 1964-1967
Less than a month after the election, Marjorie McIntosh (Labour, HammersmithLondon Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham
The London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham is a London borough in West London, and forms part of Inner London. Traversed by the east-west main roads of the A4 Great West Road and the A40 Westway, many international corporations have offices in the borough....
) died and precipitated a byelection; however, given that the voters had elected the GLC and the new London Boroughs, the parties were short of money and the Conservatives decided not to oppose the Labour candidate who was returned unopposed on 18 June. Oliver Galley (Conservative, Harrow
London Borough of Harrow
The London Borough of Harrow is a London borough of north-west London. It borders Hertfordshire to the north and other London boroughs: Hillingdon to the west, Ealing to the south, Brent to the south-east and Barnet to the east.-History:...
, died in October 1965 and the Conservatives retained his seat at a byelection on 27 January 1966. By the end of the term, there were two seats vacant due to the resignations of Sir Joseph Haygarth (Conservative, Barnet
London Borough of Barnet
The London Borough of Barnet is a London borough in North London and forms part of Outer London. It has a population of 331,500 and covers . It borders Hertfordshire to the north and five other London boroughs: Harrow and Brent to the west, Camden and Haringey to the south-east and Enfield to the...
) and Mrs Mavis Webster (Labour, Waltham Forest
London Borough of Waltham Forest
The London Borough of Waltham Forest is in northeast London, England. Officially, it forms part of Outer London as it borders Essex. However, it can be seen that the NE London boundary does not extend far compared to elsewhere in the city...
).