# 1974 Lothian Regional Council election

The 1974 Lothian Regional Council election was held on 7 May 1974 and saw Labour emerging as the largest party on the council, although falling just shy of a majority.

## Results

1974 Lothian Regional Council election election :
| Party | Seats | Seats % | Votes % | Votes |
| Labour | 24 | 49.0 | 39.9 | 103,622 |
| Conservative | 19 | 38.8 | 34.3 | 89,194 |
| SNP | 3 | 6.1 | 11.6 | 30,149 |
| Liberal | 1 | 2.0 | 9.0 | 23,495 |
| Independent | 1 | 2.0 | 3.5 | 9,065 |
| Residents Association | 1 | 2.0 | 1.1 | 2,940 |
| Independent Labour | 0 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 900 |
| Communist | 0 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 473 |

## Ward results
### Armadale

Armadale :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | SNP | J. Hamilton | 2,441 | 40.3 |
| | Labour | C. Morgan | 2,322 | 38.3 |
| | Independent Labour | W. Ferrier | 900 | 14.9 |
| | Independent | M. King | 393 | 6.5 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 119 | 2.0 |
| | SNP hold | SNP hold | SNP hold | SNP hold |

### Bathgate

Bathgate :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Residents | W. Stewart | 2,349 | 43.1 |
| | Labour | J. Burns | 1,683 | 30.9 |
| | SNP | S. MacQuarrie | 1,324 | 24.3 |
| | Communist | C. Bett | 94 | 1.7 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 666 | 12.2 |
| | Residents hold | Residents hold | Residents hold | Residents hold |

### Whitburn

Whitburn :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | A. Bell | 3,409 | 54.6 |
| | SNP | W. McBride | 2,180 | 34.9 |
| | Independent | W. M. Kenny | 560 | 9.0 |
| | Communist | J. King | 94 | 1.5 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,229 | 19.7 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Labour hold | Labour hold |

### Calders

Calders :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | W. G. Rankine | 3,153 | 48.3 |
| | SNP | W. L. Stevenson | 2,594 | 39.8 |
| | Liberal | W. M. Kenny | 776 | 11.9 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 559 | 8.5 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Labour hold | Labour hold |

### Linlithgow/Uphall

Linlithgow/Uphall :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | SNP | J. McGinley | 3,761 | 62.4 |
| | Labour | J. Christie | 2,264 | 37.6 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,497 | 24.8 |
| | SNP hold | SNP hold | SNP hold | SNP hold |

### Broxburn

Broxburn :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | M. Coyne | 2,311 | 36.6 |
| | SNP | R. Taylor | 2,153 | 34.1 |
| | Independent | Jane Paris | 1,852 | 29.3 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 158 | 2.5 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Labour hold | Labour hold |

### Livingston

Livingston :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | W. Hanlon | 3,000 | 50.5 |
| | SNP | B. B. Pitt | 2,945 | 49.5 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 55 | 1.0 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Labour hold | Labour hold |

### Holyrood/Meadows

Holyrood/Meadows :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | G. Foulkes | 2,400 | 53.6 |
| | Conservative | L. Taylor | 1,489 | 33.2 |
| | Residents | H. C. Gray | 591 | 13.2 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 911 | 20.4 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Labour hold | Labour hold |

### Lochrin/Tron

Lochrin/Tron :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | W. J. Taylor | 1,824 | 45.5 |
| | Conservative | D. F. E. Hall | 1,632 | 40.7 |
| | Liberal | I. C. Simpson | 551 | 13.8 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 192 | 4.8 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Labour hold | Labour hold |

### Dalry/Tynecastle

Dalry/Tynecastle :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | J. G. W. Buchanan | 1,745 | 41.7 |
| | Conservative | Fiona M. Cameron | 970 | 23.2 |
| | SNP | R. K. Strathan | 945 | 22.6 |
| | Liberal | Jenny M. M. Blain | 525 | 12.5 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 775 | 18.5 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Labour hold | Labour hold |

### Moat/Polwarth

Moat/Polwarth :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | Catherine B. M. Filsell | 2,127 | 40.4 |
| | Liberal | J. F. Lawrie | 1,943 | 36.9 |
| | Conservative | K. N. McLeod | 1,196 | 22.7 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 184 | 3.5 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Labour hold | Labour hold |

### Church Hill/Braid

Church Hill/Braid :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | A. H. Lester | 3,381 | 52.2 |
| | Liberal | N. L. Gordon | 2,651 | 40.9 |
| | Labour | Isabella M. Williamson | 444 | 6.9 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 730 | 11.3 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold |

### Sciennes/Marchmont

Sciennes/Marchmont :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | G. W. Reid | 3,359 | 57.0 |
| | Liberal | J. Gilmour | 1,721 | 29.2 |
| | Labour | I. M. Christie | 811 | 13.8 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,638 | 27.8 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold |

### Prestonfield/Mayfield

Prestonfield/Mayfield :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | D. Alves | 3,141 | 51.1 |
| | Labour | Jessie Rogan | 1,864 | 30.3 |
| | Liberal | R. P. Wassell | 1,143 | 18.6 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,277 | 20.8 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold |

### Inch/Gilmerton

Inch/Gilmerton :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | P. Wilson | 4,345 | 76.4 |
| | Conservative | Muriel Lester | 1,346 | 23.6 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,999 | 52.8 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Labour hold | Labour hold |

### Alnwickhill/Kaimes

Alnwickhill/Kaimes :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | T. J. Davies | 2,717 | 55.4 |
| | Conservative | Rosemary Macarthur | 2,190 | 44.6 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 527 | 10.8 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Labour hold | Labour hold |

### Merchiston/Colinton

Merchiston/Colinton :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | J. D. Maclennan | 3,936 | 53.5 |
| | Liberal | S. P. Ross-Smith | 2,189 | 29.8 |
| | SNP | R. E. Young | 637 | 8.7 |
| | Labour | J. A. Mitchell | 593 | 8.1 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,747 | 23.7 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold |

### Fairmilehead/Firrhill

Fairmilehead/Firrhill :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | B. A. Meek | 3,003 | 43.7 |
| | Labour | M. C. B. McGregor | 1,794 | 26.1 |
| | SNP | J. McKernan | 1,282 | 18.7 |
| | Liberal | J. S. O. Moffat | 793 | 11.5 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,209 | 17.6 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold |

### Sighthill/Stenhouse

Sighthill/Stenhouse :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | W. Wallace | 4,594 | 68.3 |
| | Conservative | W. G. Samuel | 2,030 | 30.2 |
| | Communist | M. Currie | 107 | 1.6 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,564 | 38.1 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Labour hold | Labour hold |

### Slateford/Hailes

Slateford/Hailes :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | C. D. Bisset | 2,498 | 42.4 |
| | Conservative | Elizabeth Alves | 1,739 | 29.5 |
| | SNP | I. H. Macdonald | 1,655 | 28.1 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 759 | 12.9 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Labour hold | Labour hold |

### Pilton/Muirhouse

Pilton/Muirhouse :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | N. Lindsay | 2,501 | 70.0 |
| | Liberal | W. H. Bailey | 532 | 14.9 |
| | Conservative | J. Johnston | 455 | 12.7 |
| | Independent | C. McManus | 85 | 2.4 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,969 | 55.1 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Labour hold | Labour hold |

### Craigsbank/Carrickknowe

Craigsbank/Carrickknowe :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Liberal | D. C. E. Gorrie | 2,728 | 48.8 |
| | Conservative | Lynn F. Scott | 2,084 | 37.2 |
| | Labour | A. Howden | 784 | 14.0 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 644 | 11.6 |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Liberal hold |

### Corstorphine/Drumbrae

Corstorphine/Drumbrae :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | G. A. Theurer | 2,235 | 41.5 |
| | Liberal | Joyce Shein | 1,753 | 32.6 |
| | Labour | J. E. Boyack | 1,397 | 25.9 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 482 | 8.9 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold |

### Murrayfield/Blackhall

Murrayfield/Blackhall :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | R. M. Knox | 4,127 | 71.9 |
| | Liberal | T. Glen | 998 | 17.4 |
| | Labour | R. J. E. Marks | 618 | 10.8 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 3,129 | 54.5 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold |

### Cramond/Barnton

Cramond/Barnton :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | G. G. Norval | 3,662 | 57.4 |
| | Labour | R. H. Macintosh | 1,415 | 22.2 |
| | Liberal | E. S. Loveday | 1,304 | 20.4 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,247 | 35.2 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold |

### Drylaw/Comely Bank

Drylaw/Comely Bank :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | Winifred E. Donaldson | 2,749 | 56.4 |
| | Labour | R. D. Anderson | 2,129 | 43.6 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 620 | 12.8 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold |

### Dean/St. Andrews

Dean/St. Andrews :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | I. A. Cramond | 3,068 | 59.9 |
| | Liberal | C. S. Waterman | 1,234 | 23.3 |
| | Labour | H. R. Wagstaff | 998 | 18.8 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,834 | 36.6 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold |

### Pilrig/Calton

Pilrig/Calton :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | J. Cook | 2,965 | 54.2 |
| | Conservative | J. L. Walls | 2,503 | 45.8 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 462 | 8.4 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Labour hold | Labour hold |

### Broughton/Inverleith

Broughton/Inverleith :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | W. R. V. Percy | 3,246 | 48.7 |
| | Labour | J. Godfrey | 1,738 | 26.1 |
| | Liberal | R. Guild | 1,684 | 25.3 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,508 | 22.6 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold |

### Royston/Granton

Royston/Granton :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | R. Brown | 1,834 | 49.0 |
| | SNP | G. W. Telford | 1,143 | 30.5 |
| | Conservative | W. Alexander | 770 | 20.5 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 691 | 18.5 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Labour hold | Labour hold |

### Trinity/Newhaven

Trinity/Newhaven :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | H. A. Nicholson | 3,974 | 64.7 |
| | Labour | A. Findlay | 2,172 | 35.3 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,802 | 29.4 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold |

### Harbour/Bonnington

Harbour/Bonnington :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | J. A. Crichton | 2,778 | 70.8 |
| | Conservative | Elizabeth M. Brodie | 1,145 | 29.2 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,633 | 41.6 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Labour hold | Labour hold |

### Links/Lorne

Links/Lorne :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | C. Waugh | 3,122 | 55.5 |
| | Labour | J. Anderson | 2,506 | 44.5 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 616 | 11.0 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold |

### Willowbrae/Craigentinny

Willowbrae/Craigentinny :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | Phyllis Herriot | 3,334 | 62.2 |
| | Conservative | J. A. H. Clark | 1,941 | 36.2 |
| | Communist | C. B. Swan | 85 | 1.6 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,393 | 26.0 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Labour hold | Labour hold |

### Jocks' Lodge/Portobello

Jocks' Lodge/Portobello :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | K. W. Borthwick | 4,143 | 62.5 |
| | Labour | G. Alexander | 2,481 | 37.5 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,662 | 25.0 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold |

### Duddingston/Milton

Duddingston/Milton :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | J. S. Cavaye | 2,675 | 53.0 |
| | Labour | Mary Hutcheson | 2,377 | 47.1 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 298 | 5.9 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold |

### Niddrie/Craigmillar

Niddrie/Craigmillar :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | J. Kane | 3,312 | 75.6 |
| | SNP | W. K. Archibald | 974 | 22.2 |
| | Communist | Irene Swan | 93 | 2.1 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,338 | 53.4 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Labour hold | Labour hold |