1986 Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council election
{{Short description|1986 UK local government election}}
{{one source|date=June 2012}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}}
{{Use British English|date=March 2020}}
Elections to the Wigan council were held on Thursday, 8 May 1986, with one third of the seats scheduled for re-election. Since the previous election three by-elections had taken place, with Labour gaining the seat being fought in Orrell from the Conservatives as well as holding their seats in Bedford-Astley and Beech Hill. The election seen fewer contestants than any previous election since the council's creation in 1973, with a record of four seats (Abram, Hindley, Hindley Green and Leigh Central) unchallenged. Even amongst those contested there were no minor parties represented, the fewest Alliance candidates since the 1980 election and a record low of Conservative contenders at sixteen. The results were similarly record-breaking as Labour won twenty two seats, with the Conservative and Alliance majorities in their respective heartland wards - and only holds - of Swinley and Langtree reduced to slender majorities. Labour won a high of 65% share of the vote, conversely the Conservatives share fell to a low of 13.1%, with their actual vote dropping into four figures for the first time. Overall turnout rose from the preceding year's underwhelming figure of 29.2%, to a more commonplace 35.8%.{{cite web | url = http://www.wigan.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/3692F771-E969-41EE-B068-1F9F20DFE0B7/0/WiganResults1973to2007.pdf | title = Wigan Council results from 1973 to 2008 | publisher = wigan.gov.uk | access-date = 2012-01-30 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111120022015/http://www.wigan.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/3692F771-E969-41EE-B068-1F9F20DFE0B7/0/WiganResults1973to2007.pdf | archive-date = 2011-11-20 | url-status = dead }}
Election result
{{Election summary begin|title = Wigan Local Election Result 1986}}
{{Election summary party|
|party = Labour Party (UK)
|seats = 22
|gain = 3
|loss = 0
|net = +3
|seats % = 91.7
|votes % = 65.0
|votes = 45,205
|plus/minus = +2.8%
}}
{{Election summary party|
|party = SDP-Liberal Alliance
|seats = 1
|gain = 0
|loss = 3
|net = -3
|seats % = 4.2
|votes % = 21.8
|votes = 15,171
|plus/minus = +2.2%
}}
{{Election summary party|
|party = Conservative Party (UK)
|seats = 1
|gain = 0
|loss = 0
|net = 0
|seats % = 4.2
|votes % = 13.1
|votes = 9,136
|plus/minus = -4.9%
}}
{{Election box end}}
This result had the following consequences for the total number of seats on the Council after the elections:
| class="wikitable" |
| valign=top colspan="2" style="width: 230px"|Party
! valign=top style="width: 30px"|Previous council ! valign=top style="width: 30px"|New council |
|---|
| style="background-color: {{party color|Labour Party (UK)}}; width: 3px;" |
| Labour | 61 | 64 |
| style="background-color: {{party color|SDP-Liberal Alliance}}; width: 3px;" |
| SDP-Liberal Alliance | 8 | 5 |
| style="background-color: {{party color|Conservative Party (UK)}}; width: 3px;" |
| Conservatives | 3 | 3 |
| colspan=2| Total
! style="text-align: center"| 72 ! colspan=3| 72 |
| colspan=2| Working majority
! {{Color box|#FFBF00|50|border=darkgray}} ! {{Color box|#FFBF00|56|border=darkgray}} |
Ward results
{{Election box begin | title=Abram}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Labour Party (UK)
|candidate = I. McCartney
|votes = Unopposed
|percentage = N/A
|change = N/A
}}
{{Election box hold with party link |
|winner = Labour Party (UK)
|swing = N/A
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin | title=Ashton-Golborne}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Labour Party (UK)
|candidate = S. Lea
|votes = 2,124
|percentage = 72.7
|change = +6.4
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Conservative Party (UK)
|candidate = J. Wright
|votes = 441
|percentage = 15.1
|change = -2.3
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = SDP-Liberal Alliance
|candidate = H. Crook
|votes = 358
|percentage = 12.2
|change = -4.1
}}
{{Election box majority|
|votes = 1,683
|percentage = 57.6
|change = +8.8
}}
{{Election box turnout|
|votes = 2,923
|percentage = 30.2
|change = +0.8
}}
{{Election box hold with party link |
|winner = Labour Party (UK)
|swing = +4.3
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin | title=Aspull-Standish}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Labour Party (UK)
|candidate = J. Hilton
|votes = 2,222
|percentage = 45.8
|change = +4.1
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = SDP-Liberal Alliance
|candidate = G. Davies
|votes = 2,009
|percentage = 41.4
|change = -1.4
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Conservative Party (UK)
|candidate = K. Hart
|votes = 616
|percentage = 12.7
|change = -2.7
}}
{{Election box majority|
|votes = 213
|percentage = 4.4
|change = +2.0
}}
{{Election box turnout|
|votes = 2,796
|percentage = 29.6
|change = -9.1
}}
{{Election box gain with party link |
|winner = Labour Party (UK)
|loser = SDP-Liberal Alliance
|swing = +2.7
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin | title=Atherton}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Labour Party (UK)
|candidate = L. Sumner
|votes = 2,313
|percentage = 82.7
|change = +3.6
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Conservative Party (UK)
|candidate = M. Sharland
|votes = 483
|percentage = 17.3
|change = -3.6
}}
{{Election box majority|
|votes = 1,830
|percentage = 65.4
|change = +7.2
}}
{{Election box turnout|
|votes = 2,796
|percentage = 29.6
|change = -9.1
}}
{{Election box hold with party link |
|winner = Labour Party (UK)
|swing = +3.6
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin | title=Bedford-Astley}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Labour Party (UK)
|candidate = F. Walker
|votes = 2,051
|percentage = 67.6
|change = +13.1
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = SDP-Liberal Alliance
|candidate = W. Shaw
|votes = 983
|percentage = 32.4
|change = +14.5
}}
{{Election box majority|
|votes = 1,068
|percentage = 35.2
|change = +8.4
}}
{{Election box turnout|
|votes = 3,034
|percentage = 30.7
|change = -7.7
}}
{{Election box hold with party link |
|winner = Labour Party (UK)
|swing = -0.7
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin | title=Beech Hill}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Labour Party (UK)
|candidate = J. Parkinson
|votes = 2,090
|percentage = 74.2
|change = +5.1
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = SDP-Liberal Alliance
|candidate = R. Richardson
|votes = 430
|percentage = 15.2
|change = -1.7
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Conservative Party (UK)
|candidate = E. Nicholson
|votes = 297
|percentage = 10.5
|change = -3.4
}}
{{Election box majority|
|votes = 1,660
|percentage = 58.9
|change = +6.9
}}
{{Election box turnout|
|votes = 2,817
|percentage = 31.9
|change = -0.2
}}
{{Election box hold with party link |
|winner = Labour Party (UK)
|swing = +3.4
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin | title=Bryn}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Labour Party (UK)
|candidate = A. Melling
|votes = 2,649
|percentage = 78.8
|change = +6.1
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Conservative Party (UK)
|candidate = C. Michaels
|votes = 377
|percentage = 11.2
|change = -1.4
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = SDP-Liberal Alliance
|candidate = D. Ramsdale
|votes = 337
|percentage = 10.0
|change = -4.8
}}
{{Election box majority|
|votes = 2,272
|percentage = 67.6
|change = +9.7
}}
{{Election box turnout|
|votes = 3,363
|percentage = 33.9
|change = +0.9
}}
{{Election box hold with party link |
|winner = Labour Party (UK)
|swing = +3.7
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin | title=Hindley}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Labour Party (UK)
|candidate = G. Green
|votes = Unopposed
|percentage = N/A
|change = N/A
}}
{{Election box hold with party link |
|winner = Labour Party (UK)
|swing = N/A
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin | title=Hindley}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Labour Party (UK)
|candidate = G. Green
|votes = Unopposed
|percentage = N/A
|change = N/A
}}
{{Election box hold with party link |
|winner = Labour Party (UK)
|swing = N/A
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin | title=Hindley Green}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Labour Party (UK)
|candidate = T. Wynn
|votes = Unopposed
|percentage = N/A
|change = N/A
}}
{{Election box hold with party link |
|winner = Labour Party (UK)
|swing = N/A
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin | title=Hindsford}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Labour Party (UK)
|candidate = A. Wright
|votes = 2,216
|percentage = 73.3
|change = -8.6
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = SDP-Liberal Alliance
|candidate = S. Jones
|votes = 806
|percentage = 26.7
|change = +26.7
}}
{{Election box majority|
|votes = 1,410
|percentage = 46.7
|change = -17.2
}}
{{Election box turnout|
|votes = 3,022
|percentage = 28.4
|change = -0.9
}}
{{Election box hold with party link |
|winner = Labour Party (UK)
|swing = -17.6
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin | title=Hope Carr}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Labour Party (UK)
|candidate = J. Hession
|votes = 2,211
|percentage = 66.1
|change = +5.3
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Conservative Party (UK)
|candidate = E. Manson
|votes = 1,135
|percentage = 33.9
|change = +2.6
}}
{{Election box majority|
|votes = 1,076
|percentage = 32.2
|change = +2.7
}}
{{Election box turnout|
|votes = 3,346
|percentage = 34.4
|change = -3.0
}}
{{Election box hold with party link |
|winner = Labour Party (UK)
|swing = +1.3
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin | title=Ince}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Labour Party (UK)
|candidate = T. Davies
|votes = 2,357
|percentage = 88.9
|change = -0.3
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = SDP-Liberal Alliance
|candidate = A. Robinson
|votes = 155
|percentage = 5.8
|change = -4.9
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Conservative Party (UK)
|candidate = A. Jackson
|votes = 138
|percentage = 5.2
|change = +5.2
}}
{{Election box majority|
|votes = 2,202
|percentage = 83.1
|change = +4.7
}}
{{Election box turnout|
|votes = 2,650
|percentage = 33.4
|change = +5.2
}}
{{Election box hold with party link |
|winner = Labour Party (UK)
|swing = +2.3
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin | title=Langtree}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = SDP-Liberal Alliance
|candidate = R. Grayson
|votes = 2,376
|percentage = 46.9
|change = +1.7
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Labour Party (UK)
|candidate = T. O'Hagan
|votes = 2,201
|percentage = 43.5
|change = +4.6
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Conservative Party (UK)
|candidate = J. Wolstenholme
|votes = 485
|percentage = 9.6
|change = -6.3
}}
{{Election box majority|
|votes = 175
|percentage = 3.5
|change = -2.9
}}
{{Election box turnout|
|votes = 5,062
|percentage = 47.3
|change = +3.6
}}
{{Election box hold with party link |
|winner = SDP-Liberal Alliance
|swing = -1.4
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin | title=Leigh Central}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Labour Party (UK)
|candidate = P. Smith
|votes = Unopposed
|percentage = N/A
|change = N/A
}}
{{Election box hold with party link |
|winner = Labour Party (UK)
|swing = N/A
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin | title=Leigh East}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Labour Party (UK)
|candidate = T. Harper
|votes = 2,068
|percentage = 74.1
|change = +10.1
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Conservative Party (UK)
|candidate = D. Angell
|votes = 723
|percentage = 25.9
|change = -1.8
}}
{{Election box majority|
|votes = 1,345
|percentage = 48.2
|change = +11.9
}}
{{Election box turnout|
|votes = 2,791
|percentage = 27.7
|change = -2.1
}}
{{Election box hold with party link |
|winner = Labour Party (UK)
|swing = +5.9
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin | title=Lightshaw}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Labour Party (UK)
|candidate = T. Sherratt
|votes = 2,955
|percentage = 67.5
|change = N/A
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Conservative Party (UK)
|candidate = E. Morris
|votes = 807
|percentage = 18.4
|change = N/A
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = SDP-Liberal Alliance
|candidate = J. Wilson
|votes = 616
|percentage = 14.1
|change = N/A
}}
{{Election box majority|
|votes = 2,148
|percentage = 49.1
|change = N/A
}}
{{Election box turnout|
|votes = 4,378
|percentage = 41.8
|change = N/A
}}
{{Election box hold with party link |
|winner = Labour Party (UK)
|swing = N/A
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin | title=Newtown}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Labour Party (UK)
|candidate = K. Pye
|votes = 2,376
|percentage = 84.0
|change = +3.9
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Conservative Party (UK)
|candidate = J. Lawson
|votes = 243
|percentage = 8.6
|change = -4.4
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = SDP-Liberal Alliance
|candidate = P. Gwyn
|votes = 209
|percentage = 7.4
|change = +0.5
}}
{{Election box majority|
|votes = 2,133
|percentage = 75.4
|change = +8.4
}}
{{Election box turnout|
|votes = 2,828
|percentage = 31.5
|change = +1.6
}}
{{Election box hold with party link |
|winner = Labour Party (UK)
|swing = +4.1
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin | title=Norley}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Labour Party (UK)
|candidate = N. Turner
|votes = 2,499
|percentage = 88.2
|change = -0.0
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = SDP-Liberal Alliance
|candidate = P. Coleman
|votes = 191
|percentage = 6.7
|change = +1.0
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Conservative Party (UK)
|candidate = E. Bispham
|votes = 143
|percentage = 5.0
|change = -1.0
}}
{{Election box majority|
|votes = 2,308
|percentage = 81.5
|change = -0.7
}}
{{Election box turnout|
|votes = 2,833
|percentage = 35.4
|change = +2.2
}}
{{Election box hold with party link |
|winner = Labour Party (UK)
|swing = -0.5
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin | title=Orrell}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Labour Party (UK)
|candidate = G. Seaward
|votes = 1,898
|percentage = 46.7
|change = +3.1
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = SDP-Liberal Alliance
|candidate = H. Evans
|votes = 1,281
|percentage = 31.5
|change = +14.1
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Conservative Party (UK)
|candidate = J. Grimshaw
|votes = 889
|percentage = 21.9
|change = -17.2
}}
{{Election box majority|
|votes = 617
|percentage = 15.2
|change = +10.7
}}
{{Election box turnout|
|votes = 4,068
|percentage = 39.6
|change = +4.0
}}
{{Election box hold with party link |
|winner = Labour Party (UK)
|swing = -5.5
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin | title=Swinley}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Conservative Party (UK)
|candidate = C. Giles
|votes = 1,637
|percentage = 38.2
|change = -5.7
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Labour Party (UK)
|candidate = S. Turner
|votes = 1,567
|percentage = 36.6
|change = -0.8
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = SDP-Liberal Alliance
|candidate = C. Rhys
|votes = 1,079
|percentage = 25.2
|change = +6.5
}}
{{Election box majority|
|votes = 70
|percentage = 1.6
|change = -4.8
}}
{{Election box turnout|
|votes = 4,283
|percentage = 47.5
|change = +6.5
}}
{{Election box hold with party link |
|winner = Conservative Party (UK)
|swing = -2.4
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin | title=Tyldesley East}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Labour Party (UK)
|candidate = B. Wilson
|votes = 2,496
|percentage = 61.6
|change = +14.6
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = SDP-Liberal Alliance
|candidate = G. Pickthall
|votes = 1,557
|percentage = 38.4
|change = -3.8
}}
{{Election box majority|
|votes = 939
|percentage = 23.2
|change = +18.3
}}
{{Election box turnout|
|votes = 4,053
|percentage = 39.3
|change = -3.3
}}
{{Election box gain with party link |
|winner = Labour Party (UK)
|loser = SDP-Liberal Alliance
|swing = +9.2
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin | title=Whelley}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Labour Party (UK)
|candidate = W. Pendleton
|votes = 2,499
|percentage = 79.9
|change = +3.4
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = SDP-Liberal Alliance
|candidate = J. Kearsley
|votes = 364
|percentage = 11.6
|change = -4.0
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Conservative Party (UK)
|candidate = F. Sidebotham
|votes = 263
|percentage = 8.4
|change = +0.6
}}
{{Election box majority|
|votes = 2,135
|percentage = 68.3
|change = +4.3
}}
{{Election box turnout|
|votes = 3,126
|percentage = 35.5
|change = +2.7
}}
{{Election box hold with party link |
|winner = Labour Party (UK)
|swing = +3.7
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin | title=Winstanley}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Labour Party (UK)
|candidate = W. Evans
|votes = 2,104
|percentage = 46.2
|change = +2.6
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = SDP-Liberal Alliance
|candidate = J. Fitzpatrick
|votes = 1,988
|percentage = 43.7
|change = +1.1
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Conservative Party (UK)
|candidate = F. Fairbairn
|votes = 459
|percentage = 10.1
|change = -3.7
}}
{{Election box majority|
|votes = 116
|percentage = 2.5
|change = +1.5
}}
{{Election box turnout|
|votes = 4,551
|percentage = 40.0
|change = +2.1
}}
{{Election box gain with party link |
|winner = Labour Party (UK)
|loser = SDP-Liberal Alliance
|swing = +0.7
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin | title=Worsley Mesnes}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Labour Party (UK)
|candidate = H. Milligan
|votes = 2,309
|percentage = 84.2
|change = +10.1
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = SDP-Liberal Alliance
|candidate = A. Meal
|votes = 432
|percentage = 15.8
|change = +0.0
}}
{{Election box majority|
|votes = 1,877
|percentage = 68.5
|change = +10.1
}}
{{Election box turnout|
|votes = 2,741
|percentage = 27.7
|change = -1.5
}}
{{Election box hold with party link |
|winner = Labour Party (UK)
|swing = +5.0
}}
{{Election box end}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{United Kingdom local elections, 1986 |state=expanded}}
{{Wigan Council elections}}