A major talking point in the lead up to the election was the potential of a clash with the 1953 Royal Tour.

[1] There were proposals to postpone local elections until early 1954 over fears of reduced turnout due to a conflicted schedule.

The proposals were considered by the Minister of Internal Affairs William Bodkin, who ultimately decided against it.

Dowse was opposed by Citizens' Association candidate and former deputy mayor Eric Rothwell who had been a councillor from 1944 to 1950.

The election resulted in another landslide victory for the Labour ticket, winning the mayoralty and every council seat.