An Election to the Edinburgh Corporation was held on 1 May 1973, alongside municipal elections across Scotland. Of the councils 69 seats, 26 were up for election. Labour, despite needing only 1 gain to take control of the council, failed to do so, preventing them from a historic win.^[1]

Quick Facts 23 of the 69 seats to the Edinburgh Corporation 35 seats needed for a majority, First party ...

1973 Edinburgh Corporation election

← 1972 1 May 1973 (1973-05-01) 1974 →
23 of the 69 seats to the Edinburgh Corporation 35 seats needed for a majority
First party Second party Third party   Leader Peter Wilson Brian Meek Donald Gorrie Party Labour Conservative Liberal Last election 33 9 5 Seats before 35 20 6 Seats won 13 9 3 Seats after 34 21 7 Seat change 1 1 1 Popular vote 44,456 29,806 20,155 Percentage 37.8% 25.3% 17.1%   Fourth party Fifth party   Party Progressives Independent Last election 21 2 Seats before 5 2 Seats won 1 0 Seats after 4 1 Seat change 1 1 Popular vote 17,406 N/A Percentage 14.8% N/A
Results by ward.
Council control before election No overall control Council control after election No overall control

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Following the election, with two by-elections pending, Edinburgh Corporation was composed of 34 Labour councillors, 21 Conservatives, and 7 Liberals, with 5 others.^[1]

By this point only a small rump Progressive party remained on the council, with the bulk of Progressive councillors having joined the Conservatives. A small number, such as Mrs Catherine Filsell (a former Progressive leader), had joined Labour.^[1]