1904 Carmarthenshire County Council election

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1904 Carmarthenshire County Council election
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All 68 seats to Carmarthenshire County Council
35 seats needed for a majority
 First partySecond partyThird party
 
Party Liberal Conservative Liberal Unionist
Last election54/6812/681/68
Seats before54/6812/681/68
Seats won59/687/682/68
Councillors4172
Aldermen1700
Seats +/–Increase2.svg5Decrease2.svg5Increase2.svg1
 Fourth party
 
Party Independent
Last election1/68
Seats before1/68
Seats won0/68
Councillors0
Aldermen0
Seats +/–Decrease2.svg1
Council control after election

Liberal
Liberal Party

The sixth election to the Carmarthenshire County Council was held in March 1904. [1] It was preceded by the 1901 election and followed by the 1907 election.

Contents

Overview of the result

The Liberals retained a strong majority with a majority of members returned unopposed. [2] From the outset the election was dominated by the debate over the implementation of the 1902 Education Act, which was fiercely opposed by the radical wing of the Welsh Liberal Party.

Candidates

The election was fought on more explicitly political lines, largely as a result of the way the education question dominated the election. Following the nominations, the Liberals already had a majority due to the number of candidates returned unopposed. [3] These included all eight candidates in the Llanelli Urban area, including Joseph Roberts, who was returned unopposed, with the support of the local Trades and Labour Council, for the division previously represented by the veteran tinplate leader, Tom Phillips, who retired due to ill health. [3] [n 1]

Two sitting members, Col. J.W. Gwynne Hughes of Tregib, chairman of the council and his kinsman, Colonel Gwynne Hughes of Glancothy, stood as Unionists due to the education question.

Only six of those elected at the first election, and who had served continuously since then, sought re-election. None of the retiring aldermen stood as candidates.

Outcome

There were a number of changes. At Laugharne, J.D. Morse, the member since 1889, was defeated by a Conservative while the Liberals captured seats from the Conservatives at Carmarthen, Llandovery and St Clears. Colonel Gwynne Huighes of Glancothy was defeated by a Liberal at Llanegwad.

The Liberals took all nine of the vacant aldermanic seats, with both J.S. Tregoining and Sir James Hills-Johnes receiving small numbers of votes.

Abergwili

Abergwili 1904
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal John Lloyd*296
Conservative H.W. Pryse125
Majority
Liberal hold Swing

Bettws

Bettws 1904
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal William Nathaniel Jones*527
Liberal Tom Jones505
Majority
Liberal hold Swing

Caio

Caio 1904
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal T. Francis Jones*unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Carmarthen Eastern Ward (Lower Division)

Carmarthen Eastern Ward (Lower Division) 1904
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative T.E. Brigstocke*268
Liberal H.W. Thomas207
Majority
Conservative hold Swing

Carmarthen Eastern Ward (Upper Division)

Carmarthen Eastern Ward (Upper Division) 1904
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal Rev Andrew Fuller-Mills* 255
Conservative D. Davies135
Majority
Liberal hold Swing

Carmarthen Western Ward (Lower Division)

Carmarthen Western Ward (Lower Division) 1904
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal John Lewis162
Conservative James John*159
Majority3
Liberal gain from Conservative Swing

Carmarthen Western Ward (Upper Division)

Carmarthen Eastern Ward (Lower Division) 1904
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal Professor D.E. Jones*unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Cenarth

Cenarth 1904
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative David Davies*unopposed
Conservative hold Swing

Cilycwm

Cilycwm 1904
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal James Rees*unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Conwil

Conwil 1904
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal Thomas Jones*unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Kidwelly

Kidwelly 1904
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Alfred Stephens*unopposed
Conservative hold Swing

Laugharne

Laugharne 1904
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Unionist Richard Evans185
Liberal John D. Morse*152
Majority33
Unionist gain from Liberal Swing

Llanarthney

Llanarthney 1904
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal Henry Jones-Davies*unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Llanboidy

David Thomas had been elected as a Conservative in 1901.

Llanboidy 1904
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal David Thomas*unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Llandebie

Llandebie 1904
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal David Davies*unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Llandilo Rural

William Jones had been elected as an Independent at previous elections.

Llandilo Rural 1904
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal William Jones*unopposed
Liberal gain from Independent Swing

Llandilo Urban

Gwynne Hughes had previously sat as a Liberal.

Llandilo Urban 1904
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Unionist J.W. Gwynne Hughes*unopposed
Unionist gain from Liberal Swing

Llandovery

Llandovery 1904
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal J.R. James193
Conservative Walter Powell Jeffreys*105
Majority
Liberal gain from Conservative Swing

Llanedy

Llanedy 1904
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal John Ll. Thomas*280
Conservative R.H. Sampson210
Majority70
Liberal hold Swing

Llanegwad

Gwynne Hughes had previously sat as a Liberal and failed to defend the seat as an Unionist.

Llanegwad 1904
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal D.J. Harries257
Unionist Col. W. Gwynne Hughes*210
Majority
Liberal gain from Unionist Swing

Llanelly Division.1

Llanelly Division.1 1904
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Unionist W. Griffithsunopposed
Unionist hold Swing

Llanelly Division 2

Llanelly Division 2 1904
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal W. Williamsunopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Llanelly Division 3

Llanelly Division.3 1904
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal William David*unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Llanelly Division 4

Llanelly Division 4 1904
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal Rev Thomas Johns* unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Llanelly Division 5

Llanelly Division 5 1904
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal D.C. Parry*unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Llanelly Division 6

Llanelly Division 6 1904
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal Joseph RobertsUnopposed
Majority
Liberal hold Swing

Llanelly Division 7

Llanelly Division 7 1904
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal Thomas Jones*unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Llanelly Division 8

Llanelly Division 8 1904
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal Joseph Williams*unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Llanelly Rural, Berwick

Llanelly Rural, Berwick 1904
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal D. Harryunopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Llanelly Rural, Hengoed

Llanelly Rural, Hengoed 1904
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal David John*unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Llanelly Rural, Westfa and Glyn

Llanelly Rural, Westfa and Glyn 1904
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal Rev B. Humphreys293
Liberal Rev John Evans129
Liberal hold Swing

Llanfihangel Aberbythick

Llanfihangel Aberbythick 1904
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Earl Cawdor*unopposed
Conservative hold Swing

Llanfihangel-ar-Arth

Llanfihangel-ar-Arth 1904
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal Thomas Barrett*unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Llangadock

Llangadock 1904
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal William Davies*unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Llangeler

Llangeler 1904
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Colonel W.P. Lewes*unopposed
Conservative hold Swing

Llangendeirne

Llangendeirne 1904
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal William Jenkins*unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Llangennech

Llangennech 1904
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal T. Thomasunopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Llangunnor

Llangunnor 1904
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal C.E. Morris*182
Conservative David Evan Stephens160
Liberal hold Swing

Llanon

Llanon 1904
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal Morgan Jones*unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Llansawel

Llansawel 1904
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Sir J.H.W. Drummond, Bart.* unopposed
Conservative hold Swing

Llanstephan

Llanstephan 1904
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal John Johns*unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Llanybyther

Williams was one of two Liberal candidates in 1901 when both polled the same number of votes and Williams lost on the toss of a coin.

Llanybyther 1904
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal J. Thomas266
Conservative David Williams234
Majority32
Liberal hold Swing

Mothvey

Mothvey 1904
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal David Davies*unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Pembrey North

Pembrey North 1904
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal Rev J.H. Rees*272
Liberal Dr J.H. Williams174
Unionist Rev W.G. Williams129
Liberal hold Swing

Pembrey South

This ward was not recorded in the local press.

Pembrey South 1901
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Thomas F. Wilkins391
John G. Thomas148
Conservative hold Swing

Quarter Bach

Quarter Bach 1904
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal W.J. Williams296
Liberal Gwilym Vaughan289
Liberal hold Swing

Rhydcymmerai

Rhydcymmerai 1904
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal Benjamin Evans*unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

St Clears

Dr Thomas had sat as a Conservative but was said to have fought this election as a 'radical'.

St Clears 1904
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal J. Lewis253
Liberal Dr R.L. Thomas*182
Independent Capt. D.J. Powell28
Liberal gain from Conservative Swing

St Ishmael

St Ishmael 1904
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal John Lloyd Thomas*unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Trelech

Trelech 1904
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal W. Thomasunopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Whitland

Whitland 1904
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal J. Scourfield*unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Election of aldermen

In addition to the 51 councillors the council consisted of 17 county aldermen. Aldermen were elected by the council, and served a six-year term. Following the elections the following nine aldermen were elected (with the number of votes recorded in each case).

The following retiring aldermen were re-elected:

In addition, two new aldermen were elected:

Four retiring aldermen were not re-elected:

All the elected aldermen were supported by the majority of members. [4]

By-elections between 1904 and 1907

Betws by-election 1904

A by-election was held on 23 April due to the elevation of W.N. Jones to the aldermanic bench. The Rev. Towyn Jones, Garnant, consented to stand after two public meetings at Ammanford and in Cwmamman and was expected to be returned unopposed. However, he was opposed by David John Jones, an Ammanford ironmonger and a prominent Congregationalist, who refused to withdraw. After a contest between two Liberals which involved the local MP, Abel Thomas, Towyn Jones was elected by a relatively comfortable majority. [5]

Betws by-election 1904
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal J. Towyn Jones 611
Liberal David John Jones416
Majority195
Turnout
Liberal hold Swing

Notes

  1. ↑ Joseph Roberts was the nominee of the Trades and Labour Council and was described in some sources as a Labour candidate.

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The second election to the Carmarthenshire County Council was held in March 1892. It was preceded by the 1889 election and followed by the 1895 election.


The third election to the Carmarthenshire County Council was held in March 1895. It was preceded by the 1892 election and followed by the 1898 election.

The fourth election to the Carmarthenshire County Council was held in March 1898. It was preceded by the 1895 election and followed by the 1901 election.

The fifth election to the Carmarthenshire County Council was held in March 1901. It was preceded by the 1898 election and followed by the 1904 election.

The seventh election to the Carmarthenshire County Council was held in March 1907. It was preceded by the 1904 election and followed by the 1910 election.

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The ninth election to the Carmarthenshire County Council was held in March 1913. It was preceded by the 1910 election and followed, due to the First World War and the postponement of the 1916 elections, by the 1919 election.

An election to the Carmarthenshire County Council was held in March 1946. The 1940 and 1943 elections were postponed due to the Second World War, therefore the election was preceded by the 1937 election and followed, by the 1949 election.

An election to the Carmarthenshire County Council was held in March 1919. It was preceded by the 1913 election and followed by the 1922 election.

An election to the Carmarthenshire County Council was held in March 1925. It was preceded by the 1922 election and followed by the 1928 election.

An election to the Carmarthenshire County Council was held in March 1949. It was preceded by the 1946 election and followed, by the 1952 election.

An election to the Carmarthenshire County Council was held in April 1952. It was preceded by the 1949 election and followed, by the 1955 election.

An election to the Carmarthenshire County Council was held in April 1955. It was preceded by the 1952 election and followed, by the 1958 election.

An election to the Carmarthenshire County Council was held in April 1958. It was preceded by the 1955 election and followed, by the 1961 election.

An election to the Carmarthenshire County Council was held on 13 April 1967. It was preceded by the 1964 election and followed by the 1970 election.

References

  1. ↑ "Carmarthenshire County Council Elections. Sweeping Victory for the National Policy". Carmarthen Weekly Reporter. 11 March 1904. p. 1. Retrieved 15 September 2015.
  2. ↑ "County Council Nominations". Carmarthen Journal. 4 March 1904. p. 5. Retrieved 17 September 2015.
  3. 1 2 "The Pending Fight (editorial)". Llanelly Mercury. 3 March 1904. p. 4. Retrieved 13 May 2021.
  4. ↑ "Carmarthenshire County Council. Statutory Meeting". Carmarthen Journal. 18 March 1904. p. 5. Retrieved 19 September 2015.
  5. ↑ "Amman Valley Bye-Election. Return of the Rev. Towyn Jones". Carmarthen Weekly Reporter (supplement). 29 April 1904. p. 1. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
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