# 1954 Leeds City Council election

The 1954 Leeds municipal elections were held on Thursday 14 May 1954, with one third of the council up for election.
Despite a further swing away from Labour to the Conservatives of 3.7%, leaving both parties neck and neck in votes, Labour continued on to their third and final gains unabated in the wards of Armley, Blenheim, Bramley, Cross Gates, Stanningley, Westfield, and Woodhouse, comfortably winning the majority of seats. The swing however helped the Conservatives to hold on to Wortley, unlike previous years. As such Labour doubled its majority on the council as part of a victorious night on the whole for them. Turnout for the election sunk below the 40% mark for the first time in the post-war period, to 39.2%.

## Election result

Leeds Local Election Result 1954 :
| Party | Seats | Gains | Losses | Net gain/loss | Seats % | Votes % | Votes | +/− |
| Labour | 18 | 6 | 0 | +6 | 64.3 | 49.9 | 69,429 | -2.6 |
| Conservative | 10 | 0 | 6 | -6 | 35.7 | 49.4 | 68,801 | +2.7 |
| Communist | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.4 | 527 | +0.2 |
| Liberal | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.4 | 495 | -0.2 |
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 | 48 | 14 | 54 | 14 |
| | Conservatives | 36 | 14 | 30 | 14 |
| Total | Total | 84 | 28 | 84 | 28 |
| Total | Total | 112 | 112 | 112 | 112 |
| Working majority | Working majority | 12 | 0 | 24 | 0 |
| Working majority | Working majority | 12 | 12 | 24 | 24 |

## Ward results

Allerton :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Edwin Wooler | 5,603 | 86.6 | +1.5 |
| | Labour | F. Watson | 866 | 13.4 | −1.5 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 4,737 | 73.2 | +2.9 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 6,469 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | +1.5 | |
Armley :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | S. Lee | 3,064 | 57.4 | −3.9 |
| | Conservative | E. Glover | 2,273 | 42.6 | +3.9 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 791 | 14.8 | −7.8 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,337 | | |
| | Labour gain from Conservative | Labour gain from Conservative | Swing | -3.9 | |
Beeston :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | M. Collins | 3,797 | 53.0 | +2.5 |
| | Labour | H. Booth | 3,369 | 47.0 | −2.5 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 428 | 6.0 | +5.1 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 7,166 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | +2.5 | |
Blenheim :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | D. Lake | 3,164 | 57.9 | +1.0 |
| | Conservative | B. Lyons | 2,303 | 42.1 | −1.0 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 861 | 15.7 | +2.0 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,467 | | |
| | Labour gain from Conservative | Labour gain from Conservative | Swing | +1.0 | |
Bramley :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | G. Rhodes | 3,455 | 53.4 | +0.0 |
| | Conservative | T. Bennett | 3,011 | 46.6 | −0.0 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 444 | 6.9 | +0.0 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 6,466 | | |
| | Labour gain from Conservative | Labour gain from Conservative | Swing | +0.0 | |
Burmantofts :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | W. Shutt | 2,266 | 66.3 | −4.8 |
| | Conservative | A. Clark | 1,150 | 33.7 | +4.8 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,116 | 32.7 | −9.5 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 3,416 | | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | -4.8 | |
City :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | W. Stoner | 2,023 | 67.3 | −2.0 |
| | Conservative | R. Hudson | 981 | 32.7 | +2.0 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,042 | 34.7 | −4.0 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 3,004 | | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | -2.0 | |
Cross Gates :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | L. Jackson | 2,688 | 58.7 | −7.5 |
| | Conservative | L. Demaine | 1,888 | 41.3 | +7.5 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 800 | 17.5 | −15.1 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,576 | | |
| | Labour gain from Conservative | Labour gain from Conservative | Swing | -7.5 | |
East Hunslet :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | F. Naylor | 3,094 | 76.9 | +1.8 |
| | Conservative | G. Hewdy | 931 | 23.1 | −1.8 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,163 | 53.7 | +3.5 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,025 | | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | +1.8 | |
Far Headingley :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | W. Hargrave | 3,931 | 83.9 | +1.8 |
| | Labour | D. Yalland | 756 | 16.1 | −1.8 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 3,175 | 67.7 | +3.5 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,687 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | +1.8 | |
Halton :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | J. Brooksbank | 4,086 | 76.2 | +3.4 |
| | Labour | N. Barrett | 1,279 | 23.8 | −3.4 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,807 | 52.3 | +6.9 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,365 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | +3.4 | |
Harehills :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | N. Kay | 2,921 | 53.5 | −0.1 |
| | Labour | A. Vickers | 2,541 | 46.5 | +0.1 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 380 | 7.0 | −0.1 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,462 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | -0.1 | |
Holbeck :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | T. Smith | 2,930 | 68.6 | +4.3 |
| | Conservative | J. Sizer | 1,340 | 31.4 | +6.3 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,590 | 37.2 | −2.0 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,270 | | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | -1.0 | |
Hunslet Carr :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | T. Ellison | 2,643 | 88.8 | +13.7 |
| | Communist | R. Wilkinson | 332 | 11.2 | +7.1 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,311 | 77.7 | +23.3 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,975 | | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | +3.3 | |
Hyde Park :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Kenneth Davison | 3,322 | 68.4 | +5.1 |
| | Labour | I. Calvert | 1,532 | 31.6 | −5.1 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,790 | 36.9 | +10.1 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,854 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | +5.1 | |
Kirkstall :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | A. Happold | 3,543 | 61.1 | −1.7 |
| | Conservative | E. Lucas | 2,253 | 38.9 | +1.7 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,290 | 22.3 | −3.4 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,796 | | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | -1.7 | |
Meanwood :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Alan Pedley | 4,270 | 70.1 | +1.1 |
| | Labour | J. Hedley | 1,817 | 29.9 | −1.1 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,453 | 40.3 | +2.3 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 6,087 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | +1.1 | |
Middleton :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Arthur Brown | 2,800 | 81.2 | −4.1 |
| | Conservative | F. Stubley | 648 | 18.8 | +4.1 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,152 | 62.4 | −8.2 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 3,448 | | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | -4.1 | |
Moortown :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | S. Bolton | 4,580 | 76.7 | +6.4 |
| | Labour | J. Slater | 1,393 | 23.3 | −6.4 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 3,187 | 53.4 | +12.9 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,973 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | +6.4 | |
Osmondthorpe :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | D. Gabb | 3,409 | 77.4 | −2.1 |
| | Conservative | D. Bradley | 997 | 22.6 | +2.1 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,412 | 54.7 | −4.2 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,406 | | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | -2.1 | |
Potternewton :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | J. Bidgood | 2,385 | 64.7 | +3.4 |
| | Labour | F. Howard | 1,301 | 35.3 | −3.4 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,084 | 29.4 | +6.7 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 3,686 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | +3.4 | |
Richmond Hill :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | W. Fowler | 2,215 | 80.2 | +0.2 |
| | Conservative | W. Clayton | 547 | 19.8 | −0.2 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,668 | 60.4 | +0.4 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,762 | | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | +0.2 | |
Roundhay :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | G. Monkman | 4,619 | 64.5 | −2.1 |
| | Labour | R. Pennington | 2,541 | 35.5 | +2.1 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,078 | 29.0 | −4.3 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 7,160 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | -2.1 | |
Stanningley :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | W. Spence | 2,939 | 50.3 | −1.4 |
| | Conservative | F. Ayres | 2,899 | 49.7 | +1.4 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 40 | 0.7 | −2.8 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,838 | | |
| | Labour gain from Conservative | Labour gain from Conservative | Swing | -1.4 | |
Wellington :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | A. Farrington | 2,942 | 71.6 | −1.1 |
| | Conservative | D. Wolstenholme | 972 | 23.7 | +5.8 |
| | Communist | J. Wheatley | 195 | 4.7 | +2.5 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,970 | 47.9 | −7.0 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,109 | | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | -3.4 | |
Westfield :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | H. Wiseman | 2,331 | 50.9 | −5.8 |
| | Conservative | S. Cowling | 1,756 | 38.3 | −5.0 |
| | Liberal | H. Burbridge | 495 | 10.8 | +10.8 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 575 | 12.5 | −0.9 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,582 | | |
| | Labour gain from Conservative | Labour gain from Conservative | Swing | -0.4 | |
Woodhouse :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | R. Ellis | 3,528 | 60.7 | +0.9 |
| | Conservative | F. Winterburn | 2,280 | 39.3 | −0.9 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,248 | 21.5 | +1.8 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,808 | | |
| | Labour gain from Conservative | Labour gain from Conservative | Swing | +0.9 | |
Wortley :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Bertrand Mather | 3,058 | 50.5 | +3.3 |
| | Labour | E. Morris | 3,000 | 49.5 | −3.3 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 58 | 1.0 | −4.7 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 6,058 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | +3.3 | |