Labour Elections to Manchester City Council were held on Thursday, 13 May 1971.

Due to boundary changes, which reduced the number of wards by five, all 99 councillors seats were up for election.

However, due the replacement of the corporation by the Local Government Act 1972, only one set of these scheduled elections ever took place.

Nine by-elections were held on 8 July 1971 to fill vacancies created by the appointment of aldermen on 26 May 1971.

Caused by the election as an alderman of Councillor William Downward (Labour, Moss Side, elected 18 September 1969; previously 1946-50, 1952-55, and 1956-68)[15] to fill the vacancy that emerged as a result of ward reorganisation.