1896 Edinburgh Corporation election

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Elections for Edinburgh Corporation were held on Tuesday 3 November 1896, alongside municipal elections across Scotland, and the wider British local elections. The election was relatively quiet, with no particularly important issues being raised, and contests took place in only 2 of the cities 13 wards, with candidates in the remaining 11 being returned unopposed.[1]

The election followed the annexation of Portobello to Edinburgh, and the three new Portobello wards had to elect their initial representation. Contests took place in two of the three Portobello wards, with Portobello West and Portobello East seeing contests. Portobello would in total contribute 5 Unionist and 4 Liberal councillors. This gave the new council a slight Unionist majority.[1]

Ward Results[edit]

Canongate[edit]

Canongate[1]
Spoiled papers: 4
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Miller Dunlop
(former councillor for ward)
862 60.11
Labour Thomas Blankie 572 39.89
Majority 290 20.22
Turnout 1,434
Liberal hold Swing

Portobello West[edit]

Portobello West[1]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Councillor Alfred Nichol (incumbent) 383
Councillor George Balfour (incumbent) 371
Unionist Mr William Gray 320
Mr John Shepherd 170
Majority
Turnout
Councillor Nichol hold Swing
Councillor Balfour hold Swing
Gray gain from Retiring councillor

Portobello East[edit]

Portobello East (16th)[1]
Spoiled papers: 8
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Bailie David Grieve (incumbent) 302
Bailie R. Kellock (incumbent) 230
Unionist Mr James Watson 147
Councillor Alexander Clark (incumbent) 137
Majority
Turnout
Bailie Grieve hold Swing
Bailie Kellock hold Swing
Watson gain from Councillor Clark

St. Bernards[edit]

St. Bernards[1]
Spoiled papers: 11
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Lang Todd (incumbent) 1,216 58.10
Unionist Forbes Dallas S.S.C. 877 41.90
Majority 339 16.20
Turnout 2,093
Liberal hold Swing

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f "Municipal Elections: Edinburgh". The Glasgow Herald. 4 November 1896. p. 8.