| The civic head and chair of the council has been a Labour politician since the time of Margaret Thatcher, through to New Labour and the current economic problems throughout the world.
Even before James P. Gowans became the figurehead in 1980, the party had enjoyed long periods in power. In fact, it is easier to list the times they did not hold office, rather than the periods in which they have.
Dundee has frequently been labelled a “Labour city” and, whoever the new Lord Provost is, he or she will mark the beginning of a new era for politics in the city.
Labour has controlled local politics in Dundee in one form or another for the vast majority of the last 50 years. The party held power, initially as the Socialists, (prior to becoming Labour in 1960) since 1946 with only three periods: May 1949 to May 1954, May 1970 to May 1973, and May 1977 to May 1980, when they were not in power. They have ruled consecutively since May 1980.
There have been seven Lord Provosts in Dundee since May 1980, including Mr Letford.
1980-1984: James P. Gowans
1984-1992: Thomas Mitchell
1992-1995: Thomas M. McDonald
1995-1996: Norman A. McGowan
1996-1999: Mervyn Rolfe
1999-2001: Helen Wright
2001-2009: John Letford |
