Elections to Manchester City Council were held on Thursday, 7 May 1998. One third of the council was up for election, with each successful candidate to serve a four-year term of office, expiring in 2002. A vacancy each in Ardwick and Harpurhey were also being contested. There were two Labour candidates for Barlow Moor ward, the result of de-selected Labour Councillor Arthur Maloney securing an official Labour Party nomination before he was replaced by a new candidate. The Independent Labour candidates stood as Labour Peace 2000. Overall turnout was 20.5%, with Labour retaining control of the council.