1838 Manchester Borough Council election
Elections to Manchester Borough Council were held on Friday, 14 December 1838.
This was the first local election held in Manchester since it had been incorporated under the provisions of the Municipal Corporations Act 1835 alongside the townships of Beswick, Cheetham Hill, Chorlton upon Medlock, and Hulme. As this was the first election to the Council, all seats for each of the fifteen wards were up for election. The candidate in each ward with the highest number of votes was elected for three years, the candidate with the second highest number of votes was elected for two years and the candidate with the third highest number of votes was elected for one year. Only one of the fifteen wards was contested.
The Conservative anti-corporators boycotted the election due to their opposition to incorporation. All seats were won by the Liberal incorporators with the only opposition coming in New Cross ward where the Radicals stood a slate of candidates.
Ward results
Oxford
Aldermanic election, 15 December 1838
Aldermanic elections took place during the council's first meeting on 15 December 1838, all Aldermanic seats were up for election.
By-elections between 1838 and 1839
By-elections, 16 May 1839
Seven by-elections were held on 16 May 1839 to fill vacancies that were created by the appointment of aldermen on 15 December 1838.
Collegiate Church
Caused by the election as an alderman of Councillor James Kershaw on 15 December 1838, following the incorporation of Manchester Borough Council on 14 December 1838, requiring the election of aldermen by the council.
New Cross
Caused by the election as an alderman of Councillor C. J. S. Walker on 15 December 1838, following the incorporation of Manchester Borough Council on 14 December 1838, requiring the election of aldermen by the council.
Oxford
Caused by the election as an alderman of Councillor Henry Tootal on 15 December 1838, following the incorporation of Manchester Borough Council on 14 December 1838, requiring the election of aldermen by the council.
St. Clement's
Caused by the election as an alderman of Councillor William Neild on 15 December 1838, following the incorporation of Manchester Borough Council on 14 December 1838, requiring the election of aldermen by the council.
St. James'
Caused by the election as an alderman of Councillor William Romaine Callender on 15 December 1838, following the incorporation of Manchester Borough Council on 14 December 1838, requiring the election of aldermen by the council.
St. John's
Caused by the election as an alderman of Councillor Alexander Kay on 15 December 1838, following the incorporation of Manchester Borough Council on 14 December 1838, requiring the election of aldermen by the council.
St. Michael's
Caused by the election as an alderman of Councillor Richard Cobden, Councillor John Brooks, and the Mayor, Councillor Thomas Potter on 15 December 1838, following the incorporation of Manchester Borough Council on 14 December 1838, requiring the election of aldermen by the council.