1978 United Kingdom local elections

Local elections were held in the United Kingdom in 1978. Elections took place in the London boroughs and metropolitan districts.^[1]^[2]

The main opposition Conservative Party gained 275 seats, bringing their number of councillors to 12,645. They gained Oldham and Havering from no overall control, and Ealing, Hillingdon, Wandsworth and Sandwell from Labour.

The governing Labour Party lost 461 seats, leaving them with 6,644 councillors. In addition to their losses to the Conservatives they also lost South Tyneside, Hammersmith and Fulham and Wolverhampton to no overall control.

The Liberal Party lost 163 seats in total, leaving them with 923 councillors.

Summary of results

England

London boroughs

In all 32 London boroughs the whole council was up for election.

Council	Previous control		Result
Barking ‡ style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #E4003B;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" \|	Labour style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #E4003B;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" \|	Labour hold	Details
Barnet ‡ style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative hold	Details
Bexley ‡ style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative hold	Details
Brent ‡ style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #E4003B;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" \|	Labour style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #E4003B;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" \|	Labour hold	Details
Bromley ‡ style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative hold	Details
Camden ‡ style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #E4003B;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" \|	Labour style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #E4003B;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" \|	Labour hold	Details
Croydon ‡ style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative hold	Details
Ealing ‡ style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #E4003B;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" \|	Labour style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative gain	Details
Enfield style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative hold	Details
Greenwich ‡ style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #E4003B;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" \|	Labour style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #E4003B;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" \|	Labour hold	Details
Hackney ‡ style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #E4003B;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" \|	Labour style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #E4003B;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" \|	Labour hold	Details
Hammersmith ‡ style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #E4003B;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" \|	Labour style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: black;" data-sort-value="No overall control" \|	No overall control gain	Details
Haringey ‡ style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #E4003B;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" \|	Labour style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #E4003B;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" \|	Labour hold	Details
Harrow ‡ style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative hold	Details
Havering ‡ style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: black;" data-sort-value="No overall control" \|	No overall control style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative gain	Details
Hillingdon ‡ style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #E4003B;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" \|	Labour style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative gain	Details
Hounslow ‡ style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #E4003B;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" \|	Labour style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #E4003B;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" \|	Labour hold	Details
Islington ‡ style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #E4003B;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" \|	Labour style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #E4003B;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" \|	Labour hold	Details
Kensington and Chelsea ‡ style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative hold	Details
Kingston upon Thames ‡ style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative hold	Details
Lambeth ‡ style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #E4003B;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" \|	Labour style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #E4003B;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" \|	Labour hold	Details
Lewisham ‡ style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #E4003B;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" \|	Labour style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #E4003B;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" \|	Labour hold	Details
Merton ‡ style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative hold	Details
Newham ‡ style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #E4003B;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" \|	Labour style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #E4003B;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" \|	Labour hold	Details
Redbridge ‡ style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative hold	Details
Richmond upon Thames ‡ style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative hold	Details
Southwark ‡ style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #E4003B;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" \|	Labour style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #E4003B;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" \|	Labour hold	Details
Sutton ‡ style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative hold	Details
Tower Hamlets ‡ style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #E4003B;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" \|	Labour style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #E4003B;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" \|	Labour hold	Details
Waltham Forest ‡ style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #E4003B;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" \|	Labour style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #E4003B;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" \|	Labour hold	Details
Wandsworth ‡ style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #E4003B;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" \|	Labour style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative gain	Details
Westminster ‡ style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative hold	Details

‡ New ward boundaries

Metropolitan boroughs

All 36 metropolitan borough councils had one third of their seats up for election.

Council	Previous control		Result
Barnsley style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #E4003B;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" \|	Labour style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #E4003B;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" \|	Labour hold	Details
Birmingham style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative hold	Details
Bolton style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative hold	Details
Bradford style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative hold	Details
Bury style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative hold	Details
Calderdale style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative hold	Details
Coventry style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #E4003B;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" \|	Labour style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative gain	Details
Doncaster style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #E4003B;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" \|	Labour style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #E4003B;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" \|	Labour hold	Details
Dudley style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative hold	Details
Gateshead style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #E4003B;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" \|	Labour style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #E4003B;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" \|	Labour hold	Details
Kirklees style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative hold	Details
Knowsley style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #E4003B;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" \|	Labour style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #E4003B;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" \|	Labour hold	Details
Leeds style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative hold	Details
Liverpool style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: black;" data-sort-value="No overall control" \|	No overall control style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: black;" data-sort-value="No overall control" \|	No overall control hold	Details
Manchester style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #E4003B;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" \|	Labour style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #E4003B;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" \|	Labour hold	Details
Newcastle upon Tyne style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #E4003B;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" \|	Labour style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #E4003B;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" \|	Labour hold	Details
North Tyneside style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #E4003B;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" \|	Labour style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #E4003B;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" \|	Labour hold	Details
Oldham style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: black;" data-sort-value="No overall control" \|	No overall control style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative gain	Details
Rochdale style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative hold	Details
Rotherham style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #E4003B;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" \|	Labour style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #E4003B;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" \|	Labour hold	Details
Salford style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #E4003B;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" \|	Labour style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #E4003B;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" \|	Labour hold	Details
Sandwell style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #E4003B;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" \|	Labour style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative gain	Details
Sefton style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative hold	Details
Sheffield style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #E4003B;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" \|	Labour style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #E4003B;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" \|	Labour hold	Details
Solihull style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative hold	Details
South Tyneside style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #E4003B;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" \|	Labour style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: black;" data-sort-value="No overall control" \|	No overall control gain	Details
St Helens style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #E4003B;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" \|	Labour style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #E4003B;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" \|	Labour hold	Details
Stockport style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative hold	Details
Sunderland style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #E4003B;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" \|	Labour style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #E4003B;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" \|	Labour hold	Details
Tameside style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative hold	Details
Trafford style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative hold	Details
Wakefield style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #E4003B;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" \|	Labour style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #E4003B;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" \|	Labour hold	Details
Walsall style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: black;" data-sort-value="No overall control" \|	No overall control style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: black;" data-sort-value="No overall control" \|	No overall control hold	Details
Wigan style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #E4003B;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" \|	Labour style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #E4003B;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" \|	Labour hold	Details
Wirral style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative hold	Details
Wolverhampton style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #E4003B;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" \|	Labour style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: black;" data-sort-value="No overall control" \|	No overall control gain	Details

District councils

In 44 districts one third of the council was up for election.

These were the first councils which had passed a resolution under section 7 (4) (b) of the Local Government Act 1972, requesting a system of elections by thirds. They could do so because they had had their new ward boundaries introduced at the 1976 elections.

Council	Previous control		Result
Basingstoke and Deane style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative hold	Details
Bath style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative hold	Details
Brentwood style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative hold	Details
Broxbourne style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative hold	Details
Burnley style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #E4003B;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" \|	Labour style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #E4003B;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" \|	Labour hold	Details
Cambridge style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative hold	Details
Cannock Chase style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #E4003B;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" \|	Labour style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #E4003B;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" \|	Labour hold	Details
Chorley style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative hold	Details
Colchester style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative hold	Details
Congleton style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative hold	Details
Eastbourne style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative hold	Details
Eastleigh style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative hold	Details
Ellesmere Port and Neston style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #E4003B;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" \|	Labour style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #E4003B;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" \|	Labour hold	Details
Elmbridge style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative hold	Details
Fareham style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative hold	Details
Halton style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #E4003B;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" \|	Labour style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #E4003B;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" \|	Labour hold	Details
Harlow style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #E4003B;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" \|	Labour style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #E4003B;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" \|	Labour hold	Details
Hart style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #DCDCDC;" data-sort-value="Independent (politician)" \|	Independent style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #DCDCDC;" data-sort-value="Independent (politician)" \|	Independent hold	Details
Hartlepool style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: black;" data-sort-value="No overall control" \|	No overall control style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: black;" data-sort-value="No overall control" \|	No overall control hold	Details
Havant style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: black;" data-sort-value="No overall control" \|	No overall control style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative gain	Details
Hertsmere style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative hold	Details
Huntingdon style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative hold	Details
Milton Keynes style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative hold	Details
Mole Valley style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: black;" data-sort-value="No overall control" \|	No overall control style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: black;" data-sort-value="No overall control" \|	No overall control hold	Details
Pendle style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative hold	Details
Peterborough style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: black;" data-sort-value="No overall control" \|	No overall control gain	Details
Preston style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative hold	Details
Rochford style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative hold	Details
Rossendale style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative hold	Details
Runnymede style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative hold	Details
Shrewsbury and Atcham style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative hold	Details
South Bedfordshire style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative hold	Details
South Cambridgeshire style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #DCDCDC;" data-sort-value="Independent (politician)" \|	Independent style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #DCDCDC;" data-sort-value="Independent (politician)" \|	Independent hold	Details
Southend-on-Sea style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative hold	Details
Tamworth style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: black;" data-sort-value="No overall control" \|	No overall control style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative gain	Details
Tandridge style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative hold	Details
Thamesdown style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: black;" data-sort-value="No overall control" \|	No overall control style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #E4003B;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" \|	Labour gain	Details
Three Rivers style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative hold	Details
Tunbridge Wells style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative hold	Details
Watford style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #E4003B;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" \|	Labour style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #E4003B;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" \|	Labour hold	Details
Welwyn Hatfield style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative hold	Details
West Lancashire style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative hold	Details
Winchester style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: black;" data-sort-value="No overall control" \|	No overall control style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: black;" data-sort-value="No overall control" \|	No overall control hold	Details
Woking style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" \|	Conservative hold	Details

Scotland

Regional councils

Council	Previous control		Result
Borders style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #DCDCDC;" data-sort-value="Independent politician" \|	Independent style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #DCDCDC;" data-sort-value="Independent politician" \|	Independent hold	Details
Central style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #E4003B;" data-sort-value="Scottish Labour Party" \|	Labour style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #E4003B;" data-sort-value="Scottish Labour Party" \|	Labour hold	Details
Dumfries and Galloway style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #DCDCDC;" data-sort-value="Independent politician" \|	Independent style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #DCDCDC;" data-sort-value="Independent politician" \|	Independent hold	Details
Fife style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #E4003B;" data-sort-value="Scottish Labour Party" \|	Labour style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #E4003B;" data-sort-value="Scottish Labour Party" \|	Labour hold	Details
Grampian style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Scottish Conservative Party" \|	Conservative style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Scottish Conservative Party" \|	Conservative hold	Details
Highland style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #DCDCDC;" data-sort-value="Independent politician" \|	Independent style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #DCDCDC;" data-sort-value="Independent politician" \|	Independent hold	Details
Lothian style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: black;" data-sort-value="No overall control" \|	No overall control style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #E4003B;" data-sort-value="Scottish Labour Party" \|	Labour gain	Details
Orkney style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #DCDCDC;" data-sort-value="Independent politician" \|	Independent style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #DCDCDC;" data-sort-value="Independent politician" \|	Independent hold	Details
Shetland style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #DCDCDC;" data-sort-value="Independent politician" \|	Independent style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #DCDCDC;" data-sort-value="Independent politician" \|	Independent hold	Details
Strathclyde style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #E4003B;" data-sort-value="Scottish Labour Party" \|	Labour style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #E4003B;" data-sort-value="Scottish Labour Party" \|	Labour hold	Details
Tayside style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: black;" data-sort-value="No overall control" \|	No overall control style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Scottish Conservative Party" \|	Conservative gain	Details
Western Isles style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #DCDCDC;" data-sort-value="Independent politician" \|	Independent style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #DCDCDC;" data-sort-value="Independent politician" \|	Independent hold	Details

References

^ Rallings, Colin; Thrasher, Michael. Local Elections Handbook 1978. The Elections Centre. Retrieved 3 May 2016.
^ "Council compositions". The Elections Centre. Retrieved 3 May 2016.

[1] Rallings, Colin; Thrasher, Michael. Local Elections Handbook 1978. The Elections Centre. Retrieved 3 May 2016.

[2] "Council compositions". The Elections Centre. Retrieved 3 May 2016.

[1]

[2]

v t e (1977 ←) 1978 United Kingdom local elections (→ 1979)
London boroughs	Barking Barnet Bexley Brent Bromley Camden Croydon Ealing Enfield Greenwich Hackney Hammersmith Haringey Harrow Havering Hillingdon Hounslow Islington Kensington and Chelsea Kingston upon Thames Lambeth Lewisham Merton Newham Redbridge Richmond upon Thames Southwark Sutton Tower Hamlets Waltham Forest Wandsworth Westminster
Metropolitan boroughs	Barnsley Birmingham Bradford Bolton Bury Calderdale Coventry Doncaster Dudley Gateshead Kirklees Knowsley Leeds Liverpool Manchester Newcastle North Tyneside Oldham Rochdale Rotherham Salford Sandwell Sefton Sheffield Solihull South Tyneside St Helens Stockport Sunderland Tameside Trafford Wakefield Walsall Wigan Wirral Wolverhampton
District councils (England)	Basingstoke and Deane Bath Brentwood Broxbourne Burnley Cambridge Cannock Chase Chorley Colchester Congleton Eastbourne Eastleigh Ellesmere Port and Neston Elmbridge Fareham Halton Harlow Hart Hartlepool Havant Hertsmere Huntingdon Milton Keynes Mole Valley Pendle Peterborough Preston Rochford Rossendale Runnymede Shrewsbury and Atcham South Bedfordshire South Cambridgeshire Southend-on-Sea Tamworth Tandridge Thamesdown Three Rivers Tunbridge Wells Watford Welwyn Hatfield West Lancashire Winchester Woking
Regional councils (Scotland)	Borders Central Dumfries and Galloway Fife Grampian Highland Lothian Orkney Shetland Strathclyde Tayside Western Isles

v t e Elections and referendums in the United Kingdom
General elections	1802 1806 1807 1812 1818 1820 1826 1830 1831 1832 1835 1837 1841 1847 1852 1857 1859 1865 1868 1874 1880 1885 1886 1892 1895 1900 1906 1910 (Jan) 1910 (Dec) 1918 1922 1923 1924 1929 1931 1935 1945 1950 1951 1955 1959 1964 1966 1970 1974 (Feb) 1974 (Oct) 1979 1983 1987 1992 1997 2001 2005 2010 2015 2017 2019 2024 Next
Local elections	1889 1890 1892 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899 1900 1901 1902 1903 1904 1905 1906 1907 1908 1909 1910 1911 1912 1913 1914 1915 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
European elections	1979 1984 1989 1994 1999 2004 2009 2014 2019
Referendums	1975 2011 2016
See also Elections in England Northern Ireland Scotland Wales Great Britain