1946 Glamorgan County Council election

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The seventeenth election to Glamorgan County Council , south Wales, took place in March 1946. It was preceded by the 1937 election and the 1940 and 1943 elections were postponed due to the Second World War. It was followed by the 1949 election.

Contents

Overview

Labour's comfortable majority on the council, including the aldermanic bench, remained unchanged.

Boundary changes

There were no boundary changes at this election.

Candidates

A significant number of Labour candidates were returned unopposed. A number of long-standing members stood down including the Reverend William Saunders, who was not selected as a Labour candidate and Gwilym Davies (Dulais Valley).

There was significant Communist opposition, particularly in the Rhondda where Labour had only narrowly retained the Rhondda West constituency at the previous year's General Election.

In Neath, it was originally reposed that long-serving councillor D.G. Davies, who had been a member of the county council with a few breaks for twenty-five years, would stand again. [1] However, he ultimately stood down.

Nine of the retiring aldermen sought re-election, the exceptions being the Rev William Saunders and Edgar Chappell.

Outcome

Labour retained their majority. In the Rhondda Valley, Labour withstood a Communist challenge [2] This was the first county election for nine years as polling was reported as heavy in a number of wards, including the two contested wards at Pontypridd. [3]

In the Neath area, Labour retained four seats but at Coedffranc the sitting member D.T. Jenkins was defeated by Communist Alun Thomas, a member of the Neath Rural council since 1937. [4]

Results

Aberaman

Aberaman 1937
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Florence Rose Davies**
Labour hold Swing

Aberavon

Aberavon 1937
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Edward Lewis Hare*Unopposed
Labour hold Swing

Abercynon

Abercynon 1937
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Joseph Dicks**Unopposed
Labour hold Swing

Aberdare Town

Aberdare Town 1937
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Independent Thomas Alwyn John 1,292
Labour Tom Williams977
Independent Henry Cohen242
Majority315
Independent hold Swing

Bargoed

Bargoed 1937
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour William John Kedward*Unopposed
Labour hold Swing

Barry

Dudley Howe had previously represented Cadoxton and gained the neighbouring Barry ward from Labour. However, Labour won Cadoxton for the first time against the new candidate.

Barry 1946
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Independent Dudley Thomas Howe* 2,304
Labour W. East*2,004
Majority300
Independent gain from Labour Swing

Barry Dock

Barry Dock 1946
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Dorothy Rees** 1,965
Independent G. Edward Smith1,762
Majority203
Labour hold Swing

Blaengwawr

Blaengwawr 1937
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour William J. Edwards*Unopposed
Labour hold Swing

Bridgend

Bridgend 1937
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Independent William W. Phillips*Unopposed
Independent hold Swing

Briton Ferry

Briton Ferry 1946
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour George Gethin*Unopposed
Labour hold Swing

Cadoxton

Cadoxton 1946
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Digby Smith 1,499
Independent A.L. Davies1,158
Majority341
Labour gain from Independent Swing

Caerphilly

Caerphilly 1937
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Evan Phillips*Unopposed
Labour hold Swing

Cilfynydd

Cilfynydd 1946
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour W. Edryd LewisUnopposed
Labour hold Swing

Coedffranc

Coedffranc 1946
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Communist Alun Thomas 2,055
Labour D.T. Jenkins*1,938
Independent Bessie Davies1,286
Plaid Cymru Noah Williams84
Majority117
Communist gain from Labour Swing

Cowbridge

Cowbridge 1937
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour P. John SmithUnopposed
Labour hold Swing

Cwm Aber

Cwm Aber 1937
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Rev David M. Jones*Unopposed
Majority
Labour hold Swing

Cwmavon

Cwmavon 1937
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour John Jones Edwards*Unopposed
Labour hold Swing

Cymmer

Cymmer 1937
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour John James Garwood* 1,167
Independent Evan Thomas485
Majority682
Labour hold Swing

Dinas Powys

Dinas Powys 1937
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Independent Ivor Broadbent Thomas*Unopposed
Independent hold Swing

Dulais Valley

Dulais Valley 1946
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour George AdamsUnopposed
Labour hold Swing

Ferndale

Ferndale 1946
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Alfred Evans*Unopposed
Labour hold Swing

Gadlys

Gadlys 1937
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Independent Thomas Phillips* 1,802
Labour David Idris Bruton796
Majority1,006
Independent hold Swing

Garw Valley

Garw Valley 1937
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Charles Gunter*Unopposed
Labour hold Swing

Glyncorrwg

Glyncorrwg 1946
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Sir William Jenkins** Unopposed
Labour hold

Gower

Gower 1937
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Independent Fredrick William Davies 2,083
Labour Stanley Jones1,480
Majority603
Independent hold Swing

Hengoed

Hengoed 1946
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Thomas Evans**Unopposed
Labour hold Swing

Hopkinstown

Hopkinstown 1946
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Tom WaiteUnopposed
Labour hold Swing

Kibbor

Kibbor 1946
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Independent Edgar L. Chappell 1,769
Independent John Kane1,400
Majority369
Independent hold Swing

Castell Coch

Castell Coch 1946
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Independent Sir Lewis Lougher* 1,458
Labour Edward Harry Follis606
Majority852
Independent hold Swing

Llandeilo Talybont

Llandeilo Talybont 1937
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Caradoc Jones**Unopposed
Labour hold Swing

Llanfabon

Llanfabon 1937
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour William Bowen**Unopposed
Labour hold Swing

Llwydcoed

Llwydcoed 1937
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Independent Martha Emma Jones*Unopposed
Independent hold Swing

Llwynypia

Llwynypia 1937
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Philip Haines Rowlands*Unopposed
Labour hold Swing

Loughor

Loughor 1937
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour David John DaviesUnopposed
Labour hold Swing

Maesteg, Caerau and Nantyffyllon

Maesteg, Caerau and Nantyffyllon 1946
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour John Evans** Unopposed
Labour hold

Maesteg, East and West

Maesteg East and West 1937
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Tom Jenkins*Unopposed
Labour hold Swing

Mountain Ash

The sitting member, the Hon. John Bruce (Ind) stood down and Labour gained the seat without a contest.

Mountain Ash 1937
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Justin LewisUnopposed
Labour gain from Independent Swing

Neath (North)

Neath (North) 1946
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Independent W.K. Owen 1,445
Labour Edgar Owen991
Majority454
Independent hold Swing

Neath (South)

Neath (South) 1946
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Rev W. Degwel Thomas** 1,484
Independent Katie Davies1,035
Majority449
Labour hold Swing

Newcastle

Newcastle 1937
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Rev Horatio R. Protheroe*Unopposed
Labour hold Swing

Ogmore Valley

Ogmore Valley 1937
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Communist Frederick Arthur Llewellyn* 1,963
Labour Stanley James Moore833
Majority1,130
Communist hold Swing

Penarth North

Penarth North 1937
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour H.J. Cook 1,001
Independent F.R. Cratchley801
Majority200
Labour gain from Independent Swing

Penarth South

Penarth South 1937
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Independent D.B. JonesUnopposed
Independent hold Swing

Pencoed

Pencoed 1937
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Mervyn W. Paine*Unopposed
Labour hold Swing

Penrhiwceiber

Penrhiwceiber 1937
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour John William Bath*Unopposed
Labour hold Swing

Pentre

Pentre 1946
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Independent Glyn L. Wales 2,530
Labour Glyn Evans978
Communist Thomas Evans414
Majority1,552
Independent gain from Labour Swing

Pontardawe

Pontardawe 1946
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour David Daniel Davies**Unopposed
Labour hold Swing

Pontyclun

Pontyclun 1946
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Theo GriffithsUnopposed
Labour hold Swing

Port Talbot East

Port Talbot East 1937
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour John Thomas**Unopposed
Labour hold Swing

Port Talbot West

Port Talbot West 1937
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Independent Llewelyn David*Unopposed
Independent hold Swing

Porthcawl

Porthcawl 1937
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Independent W.A. Howell*Unopposed
Independent hold Swing

Pontlottyn

Pontlottyn 1946
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour W.A. Hancock*Unopposed
Labour hold Swing

Pontypridd Town

Pontypridd Town 1946
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Ivor M. Jenkins 1,458
Independent Cyril R. Morgan1,450
Majority308
Labour hold Swing

Penygraig

Penygraig 1937
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Thomas Churchill* 2,148
Independent William John Gribble981
Majority1,267
Labour hold Swing

Porth

Porth 1946
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Thomas Griffiths 976
Independent Daniel Jones*974
Communist Murray Williams868
Majority2
Labour gain from Independent Swing

Swansea Valley

Swansea Valley 1937
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour David Jenkins*
Labour hold Swing

Tonyrefail and Gilfach Goch

Tonyrefail and Gilfach Goch 1937
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Thomas Rogers* 1,484
Communist David John Griffiths711
Independent Harold Whitton Davies584
Independent Evan Jones97
Majority773
Labour hold Swing

Trealaw

Trealaw 1937
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Communist Lewis Jones 1,945
Labour Richard Jones1,315
Majority630
Communist hold Swing

Treforest

Treforest 1946
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Arthur W. Harris 2,507
Independent Ceiriog Williams1,029
Majority1,478
Labour gain from Independent Swing

Treherbert

Treherbert 1946
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour William Llewellyn* 3,345
Communist George Thomas1,964
Majority1,391
Labour hold Swing

Treorchy

Treorchy 1946
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Rhys Evans** 4,401
Communist Ivor Williams1,077
Majority3,324
Labour hold Swing

Tylorstown

Tylorstown 1946
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Llewellyn Jones 1,984
Communist Frederick J. Morton942
Majority1,042
Labour hold Swing

Vale of Neath

Vale of Neath 1946
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour William A. Betty*Unopposed
Labour hold Swing

Ynyshir

Ynyshir 1946
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Ivor Jones 1,855
Independent Morgan Benjamin1,418
Majority437
Labour hold Swing

Ystalyfera

Ystalyfera 1937
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Alice Williams* 2,051
Plaid Cymru Wynne Samuel 873
Majority1,176
Labour hold Swing

Ystrad

Ystrad 1946
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Sidney Cadogan** 1,931
Communist Annie Powell 1,189
Independent Thomas Aldridge853
Majority742
Labour hold Swing

Election of Aldermen

In addition to the 66 councillors the council consisted of 22 county aldermen. Aldermen were elected by the council, and served a six-year term. Following the 1946 election, there were eleven Aldermanic vacancies, all of which all of which were filled by Labour nominees despite the protestations of their opponents. [5] Rhys Evans was the longest serving alderman, having first been elected in 1922.

The following retiring aldermen were re-elected:

The following new aldermen were elected:

By-elections

Eleven vacancies were caused by the election of aldermen. At Neath, Charles P. Huins held his seat with a majority whip exceeded that gained by Alderman Degwel Thomas at the triennial election. [6]

Aberaman by-election

Aberaman by-election 1946
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Sydney Herbert Stephens*
Labour hold Swing

Neath South by-election

Neath South by-election 1946
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Charles P. Huins 1,571
Independent John Walter Jones896
Majority675
Labour hold Swing

Llanfabon by-election

Llanfabon by-election 1946
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Charles Herbert Davies 1,387
Independent Rev. Henry Withers798
Majority589
Labour hold Swing

Tylorstown by-election

Tylorstown by-election 1947
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour John Mardy Evans* 1,977
Communist George Edward Maslin584
Independent David John284
Majority1,393
Labour hold Swing

Related Research Articles

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References

  1. "County Council Election Prospects". Neath Guardian. 15 February 1946. p. 1. Retrieved 15 December 2022.
  2. "Communist Fare Badly in the Rhondda". Western Mail. 9 March 1946. p. 3. Retrieved 19 April 2021.
  3. "County Election Results". Pontypridd Observer. 9 March 1946. p. 1. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
  4. "Communist Wins at Skewen. Surprise Election Result". Neath Guardian. 15 March 1946. p. 6. Retrieved 15 December 2022.
  5. "Seniority Ignored in Selection of Chairman". Western Mail. 15 March 1946. p. 3. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
  6. "South Ward By-Election Result". Neath Guardian. 19 April 1946. p. 8. Retrieved 15 December 2022.

Bibliography