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1979 Reading Borough Council election
The 1979 Reading Borough Council election was held on 3 May 1979, alongside local elections across England and Wales and the general election. All 49 seats on Reading Borough Council were contested.
Prior to the election, the council had been under no overall control, with the Conservatives the largest party. Labour saw the biggest net increase in its seats, gaining three, but the council remained under no overall control with the Conservatives as the largest party. After the election the Conservatives had 22 seats (down from 24), Labour had 16 seats (up from 13), and the Liberals had 11 seats (down from 12).
The party leaders on the council ahead of the election were Deryck Morton for the Conservatives, Geoff Mander for Labour, and Geoff Salisbury for the Liberals. Geoff Salisbury did not stand at the election, and the Liberals' former leader Jim Day became party leader again after the election, having spent the 1978–1979 civic year as mayor of Reading. Deryck Morton was re-appointed to the council's most senior political role as chair of the policy committee after the election, effectively leading a Conservative minority administration.
Party
Seats
Gains
Losses
Net gain/loss
Seats %
Votes %
Votes
+/−
22
1
3
-2
44.9
44.2
123,224
16
3
0
+3
32.7
31.1
86,591
11
0
1
-1
22.4
24.6
68,404
0
0.0
0.1
176
0
0.0
0.0
139
The results in each ward were as follows (candidates with an asterisk(*) were the previous incumbent standing for re-election, candidates with a dagger(†) were sitting councillors contesting different wards):
The Thames ward by-election in 1980 was triggered by the resignation of Conservative councillor Eric Davies.
By-elections for the two wards of Christchurch and Redlands were held on 7 May 1981, alongside elections to Berkshire County Council. The Christchurch by-election was triggered by the resignation of Labour councillor Chris Goodall, and the Redlands by-election was triggered by the death of Conservative councillor John Lawford.
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
Labour
1,762
59.1
Liberal
1,221
40.9
541
18.1
2,983
Labour hold
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
Conservative
934
34.8
−11.1
Labour
894
33.3
+5.4
Liberal
853
31.8
+5.7
40
1.5
2,681
Conservative hold
-8.25
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
Labour
437
47.4
−6.0
Conservative
244
26.5
−20.2
SDP
241
26.1
n/a
193
20.9
922
Labour hold
+7.1
The Abbey ward by-election in 1981 was triggered by the resignation of Labour councillor Graham Chapman.
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