# 1953 Leeds City Council election

The 1953 Leeds municipal elections were held on Thursday 7 May 1953, with one third of the council as well as a vacancy in Richmond Hill to be elected.
Winning control of Leeds was one of Labour's highlights in a night that seen them make gains across the country. Whilst there was a swing away from Labour to the Conservatives of over four percent from the previous year's high benchmark, Labour were able to repeat most of the gains they achieved the year before, with the two exceptions being Armley - a seat they already held - and Beeston, which the Tories managed to hold by sixty-six votes this time around. In total they gained seven seats, replacing the Tories slim majority of two with a majority of twelve. Turnout continued its trend downwards with a post-war low of 41.4%.

## Election result

Leeds Local Election Result 1953 :
| Party | Seats | Gains | Losses | Net gain/loss | Seats % | Votes % | Votes | +/− |
| Labour | 19 | 7 | 0 | +7 | 65.5 | 52.5 | 78,259 | -4.0 |
| Conservative | 10 | 0 | 7 | -7 | 34.5 | 46.7 | 69,560 | +4.2 |
| Liberal | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.6 | 923 | -0.2 |
| Communist | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 294 | +0.1 |
The result had the following consequences for the total number of seats on the council after the elections:
| Party | Party | Previous council | Previous council | New council | New council |
| Party | Party | Cllr | Ald | Cllr | Ald |
| | Labour | 41 | 14 | 48 | 14 |
| | Conservatives | 43 | 14 | 36 | 14 |
| Total | Total | 84 | 28 | 84 | 28 |
| Total | Total | 112 | 112 | 112 | 112 |
| Working majority | Working majority | -2 | 0 | 12 | 0 |
| Working majority | Working majority | -2 | -2 | 12 | 12 |

## Ward results

Allerton :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | M. Mustill | 5,260 | 85.2 | +1.3 |
| | Labour | W. Stoner | 917 | 14.8 | −1.3 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 4,343 | 70.3 | +2.6 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 6,177 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | +1.3 | |
Armley :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | J. Hodgson | 3,815 | 61.3 | −0.1 |
| | Conservative | J. Longstaff | 2,407 | 38.7 | +0.1 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,408 | 22.6 | −0.2 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 6,222 | | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | -0.1 | |
Beeston :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | P. Woodward | 3,810 | 50.4 | +1.5 |
| | Labour | S. Binns | 3,744 | 49.6 | −1.5 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 66 | 0.9 | −1.2 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 7,554 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | +1.5 | |
Blenheim :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | W. Merritt | 3,144 | 56.9 | −0.6 |
| | Conservative | K. Davison | 2,386 | 43.1 | +0.6 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 758 | 13.7 | −1.2 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,530 | | |
| | Labour gain from Conservative | Labour gain from Conservative | Swing | -0.6 | |
Bramley :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | W. Lord | 3,285 | 53.4 | −6.6 |
| | Conservative | B. Pearce | 2,862 | 46.6 | +6.6 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 423 | 6.9 | −13.1 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 6,147 | | |
| | Labour gain from Conservative | Labour gain from Conservative | Swing | -6.6 | |
Burmantofts :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | G. Murray | 2,832 | 71.1 | −3.7 |
| | Conservative | K. Platts | 1,150 | 28.9 | +3.7 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,682 | 42.2 | −7.5 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 3,982 | | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | -3.7 | |
City :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | E. Stubbs | 2,449 | 69.3 | +0.4 |
| | Conservative | N. Kay | 1,083 | 30.7 | −0.4 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,366 | 38.7 | +0.9 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 3,532 | | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | +0.4 | |
Cross Gates :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | A. Harrison | 3,181 | 66.3 | −3.8 |
| | Conservative | W. Tull | 1,618 | 33.7 | +3.8 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,563 | 32.6 | −7.6 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,799 | | |
| | Labour gain from Conservative | Labour gain from Conservative | Swing | -3.8 | |
East Hunslet :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | E. Kavanagh | 3,064 | 75.1 | −7.6 |
| | Conservative | G. Hewdey | 1,017 | 24.9 | +7.6 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,047 | 50.2 | −15.1 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,081 | | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | -7.6 | |
Far Headingley :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | G. Dovenor | 4,112 | 82.1 | +3.1 |
| | Labour | J. Bissell | 897 | 17.9 | −3.1 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 3,215 | 64.2 | +6.2 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,009 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | +3.1 | |
Halton :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | P. Dodson | 3,933 | 72.7 | +6.3 |
| | Labour | A. Vickers | 1,476 | 27.3 | −2.4 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,457 | 45.4 | +8.7 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,409 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | +4.3 | |
Harehills :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | B. Garden | 2,918 | 53.6 | +2.4 |
| | Labour | D. Gabb | 2,529 | 46.4 | −2.4 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 389 | 7.1 | +4.7 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,447 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | +2.4 | |
Holbeck :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | G. Bray | 3,545 | 64.3 | −5.0 |
| | Conservative | S. Ristron | 1,384 | 25.1 | +1.6 |
| | Liberal | K. Heald | 582 | 10.6 | +3.4 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,161 | 39.2 | −6.7 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,511 | | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | -3.3 | |
Hunslet Carr :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | W. Parker | 3,408 | 75.1 | −5.0 |
| | Conservative | N. Cooke | 942 | 20.8 | +3.9 |
| | Communist | R. Wilkinson | 185 | 4.1 | +1.2 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,466 | 54.4 | −8.9 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,535 | | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | -4.4 | |
Hyde Park :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | H. Walmsley | 3,402 | 63.4 | +3.4 |
| | Labour | I. Calvert | 1,965 | 36.6 | −3.4 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,437 | 26.8 | +6.8 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,367 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | +3.4 | |
Kirkstall :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | D. Matthews | 4,446 | 62.8 | −0.3 |
| | Conservative | R. Neill | 2,628 | 37.2 | +5.2 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,818 | 25.7 | −5.5 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 7,074 | | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | -2.7 | |
Meanwood :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | F. Carter | 4,231 | 69.0 | +0.9 |
| | Labour | J. Hedley | 1,900 | 31.0 | −0.9 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,331 | 38.0 | +1.7 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 6,131 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | +0.9 | |
Middleton :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | S. Hand | 3,510 | 85.3 | −4.4 |
| | Conservative | F. Stubley | 604 | 14.7 | +4.4 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,906 | 70.6 | −8.9 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,114 | | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | -4.4 | |
Moortown :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | L. Henson | 4,179 | 70.2 | −2.5 |
| | Labour | R. Hyams | 1,771 | 29.8 | +2.5 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,408 | 40.5 | −4.9 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,408 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | -2.5 | |
Osmondthorpe :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | L. Walsh | 3,690 | 79.5 | −3.5 |
| | Conservative | D. Bradley | 954 | 20.5 | +3.5 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,736 | 58.9 | −7.1 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,644 | | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | -3.5 | |
Potternewton :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | E. Coleman | 2,460 | 61.3 | +5.6 |
| | Labour | F. Howard | 1,550 | 38.7 | −5.6 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 910 | 22.7 | +11.1 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,010 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | +5.6 | |
Richmond Hill :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | W. Cain | 2,838 | 80.0 | −5.0 |
| | Labour | W. Fowler | 2,728 | | |
| | Conservative | W. Clayton | 710 | 20.0 | +5.0 |
| | Conservative | H. Harwood | 585 | | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,018 | 60.0 | −10.0 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 3,548 | | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | -5.0 | |
Roundhay :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | H. Jowitt | 4,409 | 66.6 | +7.3 |
| | Labour | E. Morris | 2,207 | 33.4 | −7.3 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,202 | 33.3 | +14.6 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 6,616 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | +7.3 | |
Stanningley :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | P. Kennally | 3,059 | 51.8 | −7.5 |
| | Conservative | F. Ayres | 2,850 | 48.2 | +7.5 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 209 | 3.5 | −15.1 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,909 | | |
| | Labour gain from Conservative | Labour gain from Conservative | Swing | -7.5 | |
Wellington :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | J. Underwood | 3,461 | 72.7 | −3.1 |
| | Conservative | J. Palmer | 848 | 17.8 | −0.2 |
| | Liberal | Harry Burbridge | 341 | 7.2 | +2.7 |
| | Communist | F. Warburton | 109 | 2.3 | +0.7 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,613 | 54.9 | −2.9 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,759 | | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | -1.4 | |
Westfield :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Stan Cohen | 2,916 | 56.7 | +1.7 |
| | Conservative | G. Appleby | 2,228 | 43.3 | −1.7 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 688 | 13.4 | +3.4 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,144 | | |
| | Labour gain from Conservative | Labour gain from Conservative | Swing | +1.7 | |
Woodhouse :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | H. Bretherick | 3,456 | 59.9 | −5.0 |
| | Conservative | H. Stott | 2,318 | 40.1 | +5.0 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,138 | 19.7 | −10.1 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,774 | | |
| | Labour gain from Conservative | Labour gain from Conservative | Swing | -5.0 | |
Wortley :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | W. Smart | 3,204 | 52.9 | −2.4 |
| | Conservative | Charles Horner | 2,857 | 47.1 | +2.4 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 347 | 5.7 | −4.8 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 6,061 | | |
| | Labour gain from Conservative | Labour gain from Conservative | Swing | -2.4 | |