On the ballot paper the candidates were listed alternatively as 'SDP-Liberal Alliance' and 'Liberal Alliance-SDP'.

The Ecology Party ran a single candidate in four wards - Brook Green, Coningham, Grove and Walham.

A single candidate in seven wards declared themselves to be representing the Residents' Association - Addison, Broadway, Coningham, Eel Brook, Gibbs Green, Margravine and Sands End.

This compared to 18 candidates in the 1978 election who listed themselves as part of the 'Save London Alliance'.

The Workers Revolutionary Party fielded two candidate - one each in Margravine and White City & Shepherds Bush wards.