1986 Scottish regional elections

1986 Scottish regional elections
← 1984 8 May 1986 (1986-05-08) 1988 →
  First party Second party
  Margaret Thatcher
Leader Neil Kinnock Margaret Thatcher
Party Labour Conservative
Leader since 2 October 1983 11 February 1975
Seats won 223 65
Seat change Increase37 Decrease54
Percentage 43.9 16.9
Swing Increase6.3 Decrease8.2
  Third party Fourth party
  David Steel
Leader David Steel Gordon Wilson
Party Alliance SNP
Leader since 1976 15 September 1979
Seats won 40 36
Seat change Increase15 Increase13
Percentage 15.1 18.2
Swing Decrease3.0 Increase4.8
Colours denote the winning party with outright control
Results by ward

Regional elections were held in Scotland on Thursday 8 May 1986, under the terms of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973. The previous elections had been held in 1982. The elections took place a year before the Conservative's third general election victory. Elections took place in England and Wales on the same day.