1972 Edinburgh Corporation election

An Election to the Edinburgh Corporation was held on 2 May 1972, alongside municipal elections across Scotland. Of the councils 69 seats, 23 were up for election.[1]

1972 Edinburgh Corporation election

2 May 1972 (1972-05-02)
23 of the 69 seats to the Edinburgh Corporation 35 seats needed for a majority
First party Second party Third party   Leader Jack Kane Brian Meek Party Labour Progressives Conservative Last election 28 27 9 Seats before 28 26 9 Seats won 10 7 3 Seats after 33 21 9 Seat change 5 5 Popular vote 59,456 31,479 25,808 Percentage 42.0% 22.2% 18.2%   Fourth party Fifth party   Leader Robert Smith Party Liberal Independent Last election 3 2 Seats before 4 3 Seats won 2 1 Seats after 5 2 Seat change 1 1 Popular vote 14,554 4,286 Percentage 10.3% 3.0%
Results by ward.
Council control before election No overall control Council control after election No overall control

Following the election, with two by-elections pending, Edinburgh Corporation was composed of 33 Labour councillors, 21 Progressives, 9 Conservatives, and 5 Liberals. Labour did particularly well in the 1972 municipal elections across Scotland, and this was also the case in Edinburgh, where the party came close to gaining control of the council for the first time, controlling 33 of the councils 68 seats. The Liberals, with 5 seats, held the balance of power in the new council.[1] Following the election Edinburgh corporation would elect its first Labour Lord Provost; Jack Kane.[2]

The election also witnessed the continuation of the decline of the Progressives, who lost 5 seats.[1]

Turnout was 42.1%.