1986 Reading Borough Council election

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1986 Reading Borough Council election

The election was held on 8 May 1986, at the same time as other local elections in England and Scotland. One third of Reading Borough Council’s 45 seats were up for election (15 seats).

After the results:
- Labour 22 seats
- Conservatives 18 seats
- Liberal Alliance 5 seats

This left the council without a majority (a majority required 23 seats). Labour gained five seats, while the Conservatives lost five; the Liberal Alliance stayed on five seats.

Vote shares were:
- Labour 36.4% (15,213 votes)
- Conservatives 32.8% (13,736)
- Liberal Alliance 28.5% (11,920)

The election ended with no overall control. Labour formed a administration with support from two disaffected Conservative councillors. Labour’s Mike Orton became chair of the policy committee. Conservative leader Deryck Morton stood down and was replaced by Geoff Canning; Liberal leader Jim Day remained. Voter turnout was about 39%.

A Peppard ward by-election occurred in 1986 after the resignation of Conservative councillor Geoff Lowe.