1994 Tayside Regional Council election

The sixth and last election to Tayside Regional Council was held on 5 May 1994 as part of the wider 1994 Scottish regional elections. The election saw the Scottish National Party overtaking Labour to become the council's largest party, and following the election the SNP formed a minority administration. The Conservatives lost 10 seats and became the third largest party. 8 weeks later, leader of the council Lena Graham resigned 'for personal reasons' and Ewan Dow took over as council leader.

1994 Tayside Regional Council election
5 May 1994 (1994-05-05)
All 46 seats to Tayside Regional Council
24 seats needed for a majority
Turnout45.5%
  First party Second party Third party
 
Party SNP Labour Conservative
Last election 10 18 14
Seats won 22 16 4
Seat change 12 2 10
Popular vote 54,640 35,561 28,869
Percentage 39.6% 25.7% 20.9%
  Fourth party Fifth party Sixth party
 
Party Liberal Democrats Independent Independent Labour
Last election 2 1 1
Seats won 2 1 1
Seat change
Popular vote 13,026 2,386 2,021
Percentage 9.4% 1.7% 1.6%
Interactive map of results in the 46 Tayside electoral divisions
Council control before election


No overall control

 Council control after election


No overall control

Background

The Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 created a two-tier system of local government in Scotland. Tayside was one of 9 regions, below which were 3 districts; Dundee, Angus and Perth and Kinross. The region was governed by Tayside Regional Council, whose 46 councillors were elected every 4 years using the first past the post voting system.[1] The previous election was held on 3 May 1990, and ended in victory for Labour who took 18 seats. The Conservatives came second with 14 seats, and the SNP finished third with 10.[2]:45

The SNP stood on a platform of anti-privitisation, campaigning against the Conservative government's attempts to privatise the water and sewerage systems.[3] A total of 160 candidates stood for 46 seats; 40 women and 120 men. The SNP stood in the most electoral divisions (45), followed by the Conservatives (41), Labour (36), the Liberal Democrats (25) and the Scottish Greens (8).[4] Two Liberal Democrat candidates were disqualified before the election after it transpired that their proposers had already nominated other individuals.[5]

Aftermath

The election ended with the SNP as the largest party, gaining 12 seats, although they were short of an overall majority. Labour took legal action after the SNP won Whitfield by just 1 vote, alleging that a spoiled ballot paper was counted in the SNP candidate's favour.[6] The challenge was dropped after the Labour candidate George Barr was allowed to examine the contentious ballot paper.[7]

Some Labour councillors backed nominating candidates to convenerships, knowing that they could only be elected with Conservative support. This was condemned by Scottish Labour's general secretary Jack McConnell, who tolf the councillors that "no Labour administration worth its salt would get the support of the Tories". Conservative group leader Bruce Mackie denied such a move, saying "There is no question at all of us working in any alliance with any other party."[8] The SNP eventually formed a minority administation, with former group leader Frances Duncan elected convener and Lena Graham elected as council leader.[9]

Graham resigned just 8 weeks into the role, and was replaced by Ewan Dow, a newly elected councillor. Dow was just 22 years old when he was appointed, making him the youngest Scottish council leader in history.[10]

Aggregate results
1994 Tayside Regional Council election
PartyVotes%+/–Seats+/–
SNP54,64039.588.82212
Labour35,56125.763.9162
Conservative28,86920.919.0410
Liberal Democrats13,0269.443.521
Independent2,3861.730.41
Independent Labour2,1431.551
Scottish Green9070.661.00
Others5180.380.60
Total138,050100.00–46–
Registered voters/turnout306,29245.5
Source: Elections Centre

Ward results

Each of the 46 electoral divisions elected one representative. Boundaries were reviewed by the Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland since the last election.[1]

Angus
1. Arbroath Central[2]:10
Party Candidate Votes %
SNP A. King 1,440 48.7
Liberal Democrats R. B. Spears 1,218 41.2
Conservative R. Irvine 296 48.7
Majority 222
Turnout 45.5
SNP win (new seat)
2. Carnoustie East/Arbroath West[2]:10
Party Candidate Votes %
SNP G. A. Lamont 1,103 31.2
Liberal Democrats G. Ryalls 937 26.5
Conservative J. A. McAdam 835 23.6
Labour P. A. Wardlaw 325 9.2
Majority 166
Turnout 52.3
SNP win (new seat)
3. Arbroath North/Central Angus[2]:10
Party Candidate Votes %
SNP H. M. W. Angus 1,423 50.2
Conservative E. C. Hill 700 24.7
Labour J. Warren 346 12.2
Liberal Democrats H. O'F. Will 289 10.2
Scottish Green P. C. Roberts 74 2.6
Majority 723
Turnout 43.5%
SNP win (new seat)
4. Arbroath East[2]:10
Party Candidate Votes %
SNP A. W. Shand 1,791 48.8
Labour F. G. Pearson 792 21.6
Conservative R. D. Ramsay 292 7.9
Majority 999
Turnout 51.9
SNP win (new seat)
5. Carnoustie West[2]:10
Party Candidate Votes %
SNP R. Lamont 1,329 41.1
Conservative J. Gray 759 25.1
Labour P. A. Murphy 727 24.1
Liberal Democrats G. McBeth 198 6.5
Majority 570
Turnout 45.9
SNP win (new seat)
6. Forfar West[2]:10
Party Candidate Votes %
SNP F. E. Duncan 2,067 67.5
Conservative B. J. T. Townsend 642 21.1
Labour L. Hood 345 11.2
Majority 1421
Turnout 43.7
SNP win (new seat)
7. Forfar East[2]:10
Party Candidate Votes %
SNP I. S. Hudghton 1,883 63.1
Conservative A. A. A. Cochrane-Dyet 523 17.5
Liberal Democrats H. C. Fleming 289 9.6
Labour G. MacDonald 289 9.6
Majority 1,360
Turnout 42.0
SNP win (new seat)
8. Montrose South[2]:10
Party Candidate Votes %
SNP W. A. West 1,435 59.1
Conservative D. J. Stubbs 579 23.8
Labour S. Singh 248 10.2
Liberal Democrats A. W. Warren 165 3.8
Majority 856
Turnout 38.7
SNP win (new seat)
9. Montrose North[2]:10
Party Candidate Votes %
SNP D. C. Doward 1,460 49.8
Conservative W. Johnston 897 30.6
Labour J. Stewart 571 19.5
Majority 563
Turnout 43.3
SNP win (new seat)
10. Kirriemuir/Western Glens[2]:10
Party Candidate Votes %
Conservative H. S. Arbuthnott 1,415 44.9
SNP R. Berrie 1,347 42.8
Labour D. K. Todd 384 12.2
Majority 68
Turnout 44.7
Conservative win (new seat)
11. Brechin/Eastern Glens[2]:10
Party Candidate Votes %
SNP G. P. Allan 2,061 56.6
Conservative R. J. L. Melville 971 26.6
Labour I. A. McFatridge 431 11.8
Liberal Democrats M. I. Gillespie 175 4.8
Majority 1090
Turnout 49.9
SNP win (new seat)

City of Dundee
12. Central[2]:10-12
Party Candidate Votes %
Labour J. D. Kemp 1,031 47.8
SNP D. C. L. Blake 478 23.6
Liberal Democrats D. A. Stansfield 316 14.9
Conservative J. C. W. Justice 189 8.9
Scottish Green F. Conacher 99 4.6
Majority 553
Turnout 30.1
Labour win (new seat)
13. Riverside[2]:10-12
Party Candidate Votes %
Conservative N. I. C. Powrie 1,429 42.1
Labour S. R. Butcher 1,206 35.6
SNP C. Cashley 423 12.4
Liberal Democrats D. R. MacDonald 260 7.6
Scottish Green E. C. Hood 72 2.0
Majority 223
Turnout 50.2
Conservative win (new seat)
14. Lochee[2]:10-12
Party Candidate Votes %
Labour G. W. Buckman 1,767 60.6
SNP N. Maiden 622 21.3
Conservative A. G. L. Powrie 297 10.1
Liberal Democrats R. J. Coates 141 4.8
Scottish Green C. J. S. Cassells 87 2.9
Majority 1,145
Turnout 44.9
Labour win (new seat)
15. Law[2]:10-12
Party Candidate Votes %
Labour B. Paterson 1,637 54.7
SNP P. L. Mulheron 755 25.2
Conservative W. C. Blackwood 365 12.2
Liberal Democrats S. M. Tennant 153 5.1
Scottish Green S. M. Hendry 82 2.7
Majority 882
Turnout 44.4
Labour win (new seat)
16. Dens[2]:10-12
Party Candidate Votes %
Labour J. C. McGovern 1,546 60.4
SNP E. Black 650 25.4
Conservative D. E. Hay 176 6.8
Scottish Militant Labour P. H. Manley 154 6.0
Communist T. D. Burn 30 1.1
Majority 869
Turnout 35.2
Labour win (new seat)
17. Stannergate[2]:10-12
Party Candidate Votes %
Labour D. Macmillan 1,413 39.1
SNP J. Corrigan 1,082 30.0
Conservative P. D. Scott 935 25.9
Liberal Democrats E. A. Dwyer 177 4.9
Majority 331
Turnout 53.9
Labour win (new seat)
18. Ninewells[2]:10-12
Party Candidate Votes %
Labour W. Derby 1,693 58.2
SNP M. T. B. Anderson 700 24.0
Conservative J. N. Gowans 294 10.1
Liberal Democrats G. Cowie 222 7.6
Majority 993
Turnout 46.7
Labour win (new seat)
19. Charleston[2]:10-12
Party Candidate Votes %
Labour J. R. Letford 1,834 61.8
SNP D. Cashley 994 33.5
Liberal Democrats C. Newell 139 4.6
Majority 840
Turnout 45.4
Labour win (new seat)
20. Kingsway West[2]:10-12
Party Candidate Votes %
Labour G. C. Hood 1,113 50.3
SNP M. Lennie 497 22.5
Scottish Militant Labour B. Wallace 334 15.1
Liberal Democrats I. K. Ridley 265 12.0
Majority 686
Turnout 38.2
Labour win (new seat)
21. St. Mary's[2]:10-12
Party Candidate Votes %
Independent Labour I. Borthwick 2,021 61.1
Labour W. Wright 831 21.3
SNP E. S. Scott 454 13.7
Majority 1,190
Turnout 50.6
Independent Labour win (new seat)
22. Kirkton[2]:10-12
Party Candidate Votes %
Labour W. Barr 1,529 57.9
SNP N. Maiden 1,108 42.0
Majority 421
Turnout 41.5
Labour win (new seat)
23. Clepington[2]:10-12
Party Candidate Votes %
Labour M. J. Rolfe 1,886 57.6
SNP D. McGovern 732 22.3
Conservative D. J. Searle 468 14.2
Liberal Democrats J. M. Mainland 188 5.7
Majority 1,154
Turnout 47.6
Labour win (new seat)
24. Kingsway East[2]:10-12
Party Candidate Votes %
Labour M. Barr 1,239 50.4
SNP A. A. Petrie 775 31.5
Conservative S. McQuire 387 15.7
Scottish Green D. M. McCabe 55 2.2
Majority 464
Turnout 38.7
Labour win (new seat)
25. Fintry[2]:10-12
Party Candidate Votes %
Labour H. Connolly 2,028 69.3
SNP K. Young 808 27.6
Conservative D. Kinnear 88 3.0
Majority 1,220
Turnout 43.9
Labour win (new seat)
26. Whitfield[2]:10-12
Party Candidate Votes %
SNP J. C. Duthie 895 46.0
Labour G. Barr 894 45.9
Liberal Democrats D. T. Dargie 58 2.9
Conservative J. D. Mackie 40 2.0
Majority 1
Turnout 36.7
SNP win (new seat)
27. Douglas and Angus[2]:10-12
Party Candidate Votes %
Labour J. Mudie 1,950 66.3
SNP F. Carlin 842 28.6
Conservative E. T. Hay 146 4.9
Majority 1,108
Turnout 44.5
Labour win (new seat)
28. Broughty Ferry[2]:10-12
Party Candidate Votes %
Conservative J. C. Cathro 1,266 35.8
SNP K. J. N. Guild 1,157 32.7
Labour I. Birnie 881 24.9
Liberal Democrats R. B. Johnston 229 6.4
Majority 109
Turnout 50.8
Conservative win (new seat)
29. Barnhill[2]:10-12
Party Candidate Votes %
Conservative B.D. Mackie 1,265 37.9
SNP A. J. Lawrence 942 28.8
Liberal Democrats A. Best 611 18.3
Labour G. Cruickshank 517 15.5
Majority 323
Turnout 49.9
Conservative win (new seat)
30. Monifieth[2]:10-12
Party Candidate Votes %
SNP R. J. Murray 1,655 52.0
Conservative D. McNaughton 1,052 33.1
Labour A. R. Butler 470 14.7
Majority 603
Turnout 46.4
SNP win (new seat)
31. Sidlaw[2]:10-12
Party Candidate Votes %
SNP F. Ellis 1,668 52.0
Conservative A. H. Brown 1,397 37.6
Labour G. J. Martin 458 12.3
Scottish Green S. E. Baird 186 5.0
Majority 271
Turnout 53.1
SNP win (new seat)

Perth and Kinross
32. Perth St. Johnstoun[2]:12-13
Party Candidate Votes %
Independent J. Doig 1,704 65.6
Conservative J. McNicol 637 24.5
Scottish Green P. F. Cheer 254 9.1
Majority 1,067
Turnout 38.0
Independent win (new seat)
33. Perth Moncrieffe[2]:12-13
Party Candidate Votes %
Labour M. H. Lennie 1,327 44.4
SNP N. M. Sime 943 31.5
Conservative L. Hurrell 442 14.7
Liberal Democrats G. Syme 227 9.2
Majority 384
Turnout 44.1
Labour win (new seat)
34. Perth Viewlands[2]:12-13
Party Candidate Votes %
Liberal Democrats L. Caddell 2,250 63.2
Conservative I. Spresser 739 20.7
SNP E. C. MacLachlan 566 15.9
Majority 1,511
Turnout 50.8
Liberal Democrats win (new seat)
35. Perth Letham[2]:12-13
Party Candidate Votes %
Labour C. Gillies 1,338 48.1
SNP C. M. Davidson 1,190 42.8
Conservative R. Fraser 252 9.0
Majority 148
Turnout 43.4
Labour win (new seat)
36. Perth Inveralmond
Party Candidate Votes %
Labour M. O'Malley 1,508 61.9
SNP J. Duthie 824 33.8
Conservative M. Doyle 104 4.2
Majority 684
Turnout 39.2
Labour win (new seat)
37. Bridge of Earn/The Carse[2]:12-13
Party Candidate Votes %
SNP E. G. Dow 1,990 61.5
Conservative P. McCormack 1,242 38.4
Majority 384
Turnout 44.1
SNP win (new seat)
38. Glenfarg/Methven Etc.[2]:12-13
Party Candidate Votes %
SNP J. G. K. Russell 1,113 44.2
Independent E. V. Pentland 682 22.3
Conservative A. J. Stewart 677 22.1
Liberal Democrats A. Pearson 580 18.0
Majority 430
Turnout 47.7
SNP win (new seat)
39. Auchterarder[2]:12-13
Party Candidate Votes %
SNP J. McLaclan 1,510 55.4
Conservative J. A. O. Fordyce 1,215 44.5
Majority 295
Turnout 45.3
SNP win (new seat)
40. Creiff[2]:12-13
Party Candidate Votes %
SNP A. M. Smith 1,620 53.8
Conservative R. E. Buchan 1,391 46.2
Majority 229
Turnout 43.8
SNP win (new seat)
41. Pitlochry/Aberfeldy Etc.[2]:12-13
Party Candidate Votes %
SNP J. Cullivan 2,112 59.2
Liberal Democrats J. C. F. Cameron 1,454 40.7
Majority 658
Turnout 50.3
SNP win (new seat)
42. Dunkeld/Strathtay[2]:12-13
Party Candidate Votes %
Liberal Democrats R. A. Scott 1,618 51.9
SNP J. Mackay 977 31.3
Conservative C. Cormack 521 16.7
Majority 341
Turnout 53.4
Liberal Democrats win (new seat)
43. Blairgowrie/Glenshee[2]:12-13
Party Candidate Votes %
SNP J. L. Wilson 1,842 55.3
Conservative J. Mackay 985 29.6
Labour R. Sweeney 500 15.0
Majority 857
Turnout 47.9
SNP win (new seat)
44. Alyth/Coupar Angus[2]:12-13
Party Candidate Votes %
SNP A. D. Grant 1,526 51.1
Conservative J. Main 1,201 40.2
Labour K. Wallace 254 8.5
Majority 325
Turnout 48.8
SNP win (new seat)
45. Scone and St. Martin's[2]:12-13
Party Candidate Votes %
SNP J. E. Lloyd 1,251 38.0
Conservative W. S. Courts 958 29.4
Liberal Democrats B. T. J. Gourdie 817 24.8
Majority 283
Turnout 42.0
SNP win (new seat)
46. Kinross[2]:12-13
Party Candidate Votes %
SNP L. Graham 2,601 76.8
Conservative A. I. Campbell 785 23.1
Majority 1816
Turnout 45.5
SNP win (new seat)

References
  1. "Local Government Electoral Arrangements 1974 to 1996" (PDF). Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
  2. Bochel, JM; Denver, DT (1990). The Scottish Regional Elections 1990 Results and Statistics (PDF). Dundee: University of Dundee. ISBN 1-869820-03-7.
  3. "SNP sets sights on Tayside". The Herald. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
  4. Bochel, HM; Denver, DT (1994). The Scottish Regional Elections 1994 Results and Statistics (PDF). Dundee: University of Dundee. pp. 46–47. ISBN 1-869820-05-3.
  5. "Parties claim election records". The Herald. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
  6. "Legal challenge in one-vote win". The Herald. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
  7. "Ballot action dropped". The Herald. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
  8. "Labour rocked by local party power bid". The Herald. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
  9. "Tayside proves a first for the SNP". The Herald. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
  10. "Baptism of fire for young council leader". The Herald. 27 July 1994. Retrieved 27 May 2016.
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