# 1952 Leeds City Council election

The 1952 Leeds municipal elections were held on Thursday 8 May 1952, with one third of the council to be elected.
Along with the rest of the country, Leeds saw a sharp swing from the Conservatives to Labour with a swing of over 15%, resulting in Labour receiving their highest post-war vote and making nine gains (alongside a gain in the interim) to whittle the Tory majority down to just two. Labour's nine gains were in the wards of Armley, Beeston, Blenheim, Bramley, Cross Gates, Stanningley, Westfield, Woodhouse, and Wortley. They also narrowly missed out on gaining Harehills. With the exception of a close-run victory in Beeston, the remarkably large swing made the Labour gains fairly comfortable. Turnout fell by two percent from the previous year, to 43.9%.

## Election result

Leeds Local Election Result 1952 :
| Party | Seats | Gains | Losses | Net gain/loss | Seats % | Votes % | Votes | +/− |
| Labour | 19 | 9 | 0 | +9 | 67.8 | 56.5 | 87,821 | +16.7 |
| Conservative | 9 | 0 | 9 | -9 | 32.1 | 42.5 | 66,018 | -13.3 |
| Liberal | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.8 | 1,213 | -3.2 |
| Communist | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 236 | -0.3 |
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 |
| | Conservatives | 52 | 18 | 43 | 14 |
| | Labour | 32 | 10 | 41 | 14 |
| Total | Total | 84 | 28 | 84 | 28 |
| Total | Total | 112 | 112 | 112 | 112 |
| Working majority | Working majority | 20 | 8 | 2 | 0 |
| Working majority | Working majority | 28 | 28 | 2 | 2 |

## Ward results

Allerton :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | H. Drake | 5,101 | 83.8 | +5.3 |
| | Labour | J. Shakleton | 984 | 16.2 | +4.5 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 4,117 | 67.7 | +0.8 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 6,085 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | +0.4 | |
Armley :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | K. Cohen | 4,136 | 61.4 | +16.9 |
| | Conservative | J. North | 2,600 | 38.6 | −7.6 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,536 | 22.8 | +21.1 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 6,736 | | |
| | Labour gain from Conservative | Labour gain from Conservative | Swing | +12.2 | |
Beeston :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | H. Wright | 3,884 | 51.1 | +14.1 |
| | Conservative | B. Bolton | 3,722 | 48.9 | −5.9 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 162 | 2.1 | −15.7 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 7,606 | | |
| | Labour gain from Conservative | Labour gain from Conservative | Swing | +10.0 | |
Blenheim :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | J. Wallbanks | 3,204 | 57.5 | +12.5 |
| | Conservative | J. Butterfield | 2,373 | 42.5 | −12.5 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 831 | 14.9 | +4.8 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,577 | | |
| | Labour gain from Conservative | Labour gain from Conservative | Swing | +12.5 | |
Bramley :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Eric Atkinson | 3,904 | 60.0 | +19.5 |
| | Conservative | H. Womersley | 2,600 | 40.0 | −6.3 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,304 | 20.0 | +14.3 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 6,504 | | |
| | Labour gain from Conservative | Labour gain from Conservative | Swing | +12.9 | |
Burmantofts :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | W. Jackson | 3,327 | 74.8 | +18.4 |
| | Conservative | J. Sizer | 1,119 | 25.2 | −18.4 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,208 | 49.7 | +36.8 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,446 | | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | +18.4 | |
City :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | E. Whitehead | 2,694 | 68.9 | +13.5 |
| | Conservative | N. Kay | 1,216 | 31.1 | −13.5 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,478 | 37.8 | +26.9 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 3,910 | | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | +13.5 | |
Cross Gates :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | F. Booth | 3,342 | 70.1 | +21.5 |
| | Conservative | A. Ingram | 1,427 | 29.9 | −21.5 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,915 | 40.2 | +37.3 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,769 | | |
| | Labour gain from Conservative | Labour gain from Conservative | Swing | +21.5 | |
East Hunslet :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | M. Fish | 3,884 | 82.7 | +21.8 |
| | Conservative | G. Hewdy | 814 | 17.3 | −21.8 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 3,070 | 65.3 | +43.5 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,698 | | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | +21.8 | |
Far Headingley :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | W. Hey | 3,725 | 79.0 | −5.4 |
| | Labour | W. Lord | 989 | 21.0 | +5.4 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,736 | 58.0 | −10.9 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,714 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | -5.4 | |
Halton :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | C. Watson | 3,405 | 66.4 | −9.3 |
| | Labour | A. Harrison | 1,522 | 29.7 | +5.5 |
| | Liberal | Victor Louis Raymond Delepine | 198 | 3.9 | +3.9 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,883 | 36.7 | −14.8 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,125 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | -7.4 | |
Harehills :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Lawrence Turnbull | 3,011 | 51.2 | −14.8 |
| | Labour | G. Lloyd | 2,869 | 48.8 | +14.8 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 142 | 2.4 | −29.7 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,880 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | -14.8 | |
Holbeck :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | W. Jones | 4,072 | 69.4 | +17.7 |
| | Conservative | J. Farrell | 1,379 | 23.5 | −15.6 |
| | Liberal | K. Heald | 420 | 7.2 | −2.1 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,693 | 45.9 | +33.4 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,871 | | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | +16.6 | |
Hunslet Carr :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | E. Hodkinson | 4,195 | 80.2 | +22.6 |
| | Conservative | T. Snape | 885 | 16.9 | −13.6 |
| | Communist | J. Roche | 153 | 2.9 | +2.9 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 3,310 | 63.3 | +36.2 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,233 | | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | +18.1 | |
Hyde Park :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | F. Walker | 3,398 | 60.0 | −4.3 |
| | Labour | B. Cohen | 2,263 | 40.0 | +16.9 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,135 | 20.0 | −21.2 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,661 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | -10.6 | |
Kirkstall :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Albert Smith | 4,734 | 63.2 | +16.9 |
| | Conservative | F. Cowell | 2,398 | 32.0 | −11.1 |
| | Liberal | A. Powell | 362 | 4.8 | −5.7 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,336 | 31.2 | +28.0 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 7,494 | | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | +14.0 | |
Meanwood :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | V. Cardno | 3,804 | 68.2 | −9.6 |
| | Labour | K. Davy | 1,777 | 31.8 | +9.6 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,027 | 36.3 | −19.2 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,581 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | -9.6 | |
Middleton :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Harold Watson | 4,190 | 89.7 | +20.3 |
| | Conservative | P. Clew | 479 | 10.3 | −20.3 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 3,711 | 79.5 | +40.6 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,669 | | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | +20.3 | |
Moortown :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | John Watson | 3,703 | 72.7 | −5.8 |
| | Labour | S. Lee | 1,390 | 27.3 | +5.8 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,313 | 45.4 | −11.6 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,093 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | -11.6 | |
Osmondthorpe :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | F. Potter | 4,151 | 83.0 | +16.8 |
| | Conservative | W. Brownridge | 851 | 17.0 | −16.8 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 3,300 | 66.0 | +33.6 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,002 | | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | +16.8 | |
Potternewton :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | T. Driver | 2,199 | 55.8 | −8.2 |
| | Labour | A. Sharp | 1,743 | 44.2 | +15.5 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 456 | 11.6 | −23.7 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 3,942 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | -11.8 | |
Richmond Hill :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | A. King | 3,478 | 85.0 | +17.2 |
| | Conservative | W. Clayton | 613 | 15.0 | −17.2 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,865 | 70.0 | +34.4 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,091 | | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | +17.2 | |
Roundhay :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Allan Bretherick | 4,185 | 59.3 | −14.5 |
| | Labour | E. Morris | 2,869 | 40.7 | +14.5 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,316 | 18.7 | −28.9 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 7,054 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | -14.5 | |
Stanningley :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | R. Waterman | 3,893 | 59.3 | +15.5 |
| | Conservative | T. Kirkby | 2,670 | 40.7 | −15.5 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,223 | 18.6 | +6.3 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 6,563 | | |
| | Labour gain from Conservative | Labour gain from Conservative | Swing | +15.5 | |
Wellington :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | E. Youngman | 3,938 | 75.8 | +16.6 |
| | Conservative | J. Palmer | 938 | 18.1 | −15.5 |
| | Liberal | Harry Burbridge | 233 | 4.5 | +4.5 |
| | Communist | B. Kline | 83 | 1.6 | −5.6 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 3,000 | 57.8 | +32.1 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,192 | | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | +16.0 | |
Westfield :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | A. Malcolm | 2,834 | 55.0 | +16.3 |
| | Conservative | R. Neill | 2,319 | 45.0 | −16.3 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 515 | 10.0 | −12.7 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,153 | | |
| | Labour gain from Conservative | Labour gain from Conservative | Swing | +16.3 | |
Woodhouse :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Henry Vick | 3,850 | 64.9 | +20.8 |
| | Conservative | B. Gardner | 2,082 | 35.1 | −20.8 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,768 | 29.8 | +17.9 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,932 | | |
| | Labour gain from Conservative | Labour gain from Conservative | Swing | +20.8 | |
Wortley :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Aimee Tong | 3,705 | 55.2 | +15.8 |
| | Conservative | Mary Dowling | 3,002 | 44.8 | −7.2 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 703 | 10.5 | −2.0 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 6,707 | | |
| | Labour gain from Conservative | Labour gain from Conservative | Swing | +11.5 | |