The 1985 United Kingdom local elections were held on Thursday 2 May 1985 in England and Wales, and Wednesday 15 May 1985 in Northern Ireland.^[1][2][3][4] Labour had the largest share of the vote in local council elections for the first time since 1981.

Quick Facts All 39 non-metropolitan counties, 1 sui generis authority, all 26 Northern Irish districts and all 8 Welsh counties, Majority party ...

1985 United Kingdom local elections

← 1984 2 May 1985 (England & Wales) 15 May 1985 (Northern Ireland) 1986 →
All 39 non-metropolitan counties, 1 sui generis authority, all 26 Northern Irish districts and all 8 Welsh counties
Majority party Minority party Third party   Leader Margaret Thatcher Neil Kinnock David Steel and David Owen Party Conservative Labour Alliance Leader since 11 February 1975 2 October 1983 7 July 1976 and 21 June 1983 Percentage 32% 39% 26% Councillors 10,191 8,746 2,633 Councillors +/- 202 124 302
Colours denote the winning party, as shown in the main table of results.

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Both Conservatives and Labour lost some seats to the Liberal-SDP Alliance, who were rebuilding under the leadership of David Owen and enjoying strong showings — including a brief lead — in the opinion polls.

Alan Clark, writing in his diary for 11 May 1985, shortly after the election, stated: "Some stupid prick has done a 'projection' in one of the heavies showing that the SDP will have a massive overall majority in the House of Commons.."^[5]