The 1896 United Kingdom local elections took place in late 1896 for municipal councils (including Urban Districts), as well as Rural districts. Municipal elections were held across England and Wales on Monday 2 November, with Scotland holding municipal elections the following day. Municipal elections in Ireland took place later that month, on Wednesday 25 November.
The English and Welsh election saw the main parties making inroads into municipal politics, although many contests took place on non-party political lines, with little reference to the candidates party affiliation. Across England and Wales Liberals gained 56 seats, Conservatives 32, Liberal Unionists 1, Independents 5, and Labour 3.London Evening Standard - Tuesday 03 November 1896 pg.3, "The Municipal Elections"The Glasgow Herald - Nov 3, 1896, pg6, "The English Municipal Elections: Results of the Polling" (full breakdown)
In Scotland the newly enlarged Glasgow Corporation saw a group of Progressive candidates, known as the Progressive Union, become the largest force on the council.THE EVOLUTION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF GLASGOWGlasgow: 1830 to 1912, p.471
The Irish elections, particularly in Dublin, saw the ongoing battle between rival factions of Irish nationalists; the Redmondites and supporters of John Dillon and the Irish National Federation.Freeman's Journal - Thursday 26 November 1896 pg.4: "The Municipal Elections"
Results Municipal elections Council Previous control Result Birkenhead Birmingham Bolton Bradford Cardiff Edinburgh Glasgow Leeds Leicester Liverpool Plymouth Sheffield
District council elections Council Previous control Result Aberdare
References