1986 Welwyn Hatfield District Council election

The 1986 Welwyn Hatfield District Council election took place on 8 May 1986 to elect members of Welwyn Hatfield District Council in England. This was on the same day as other local elections. One third of the seats were contested. While Labour maintained their control of the council, two seats in Handside Ward went to the SDP-Liberal Alliance's candidates, marking the first time any party outside of Labour and the Conservatives won a seat in one of the council's local elections.

1986 Welwyn Hatfield District Council election

8 May 1986 (1986-05-08)
15 out of 43 seats to Welwyn Hatfield District Council 22 seats needed for a majority
Turnout	~35,150, 50.4%
First party Second party Third party   Party Labour Conservative Alliance Last election 24 seats, 42.9% 19 seats, 38.2% 0 seats, 16.4% Seats before 24 19 0 Seats after 24 17 2 Seat change 2 2 Popular vote 14,392 13,696 9,974 Percentage 37.8% 36.0% 26.2% Swing 5.1 2.2 7.3
Council composition following the election.

Summary

Election results

1986 Welwyn Hatfield District Council election
Party		This election			Full council			This election
		Seats	Net	Seats %	Other	Total	Total %	Votes	Votes %	+/−
	Labour	8		55.3	16	24	55.8	14,392	37.8	–5.1
	Conservative	5	2	33.3	12	17	39.5	13,696	36.0	–2.2
	Alliance	2	2	13.3	0	2	4.7	9,974	26.2	+7.3