1983 Cardiff City Council election

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The 1983 Cardiff City Council election was held on Thursday 5 May 1983 to the district council known as Cardiff City Council, in Cardiff, South Glamorgan, Wales. It took place on the same day as other district council elections in Wales and England. The Conservative Party regained control of the council from the Labour Party. [1]

Contents

The previous Cardiff City Council election took place in 1979 and the next full elections took place in 1987. [2]

Ward changes

This was the first election to be affected by the changes resulting from The City of Cardiff (Electoral Arrangements) Order 1982. [3] Boundaries were redrawn and the number of electoral wards increased from 21 to 26, with a reduction in the numbers of councillors elected per ward. New wards of Butetown, Caerau, Cyncoed, Fairwater, Heath, Lisvane and St Mellons, Llandaff North, Llanrumney, Pentwyn, Radyr & St Fagans, Trowbridge and Whitchurch & Tongwynlais were introduced. The number of councillors reduced overall from 75 to 65. [2]

Overview

Labour had been in control of the council for the previous four years, but at the 1983 election the Conservatives regained control. With 34 councillors, they had an overall majority of three. [1] Winning only three seats, the SDP-Liberal Alliance did not perform as well as they expected. [4]

Labour blamed the ward boundary changes for the outcome. The former Labour council leader, Cllr John Reynolds, suggested it was a good performance, considering the number of council seats available had been reduced particularly in Labour voting areas. [1] The Alliance failed to win seats in wards such as Gabalfa and blamed this on UK politics dominating the contest (with a possible general election on the horizon). [1] The new Conservative council leader, Cllt Ron Watkiss, pledged to use the Tory majority to put some of the council's services out to private contractors. [1]

The next designated next Lord Mayor, Olwen Watkin and her designated deputy, Stan James, came top of the poll in Plasnewydd. Alliance husband and wife team, Mike German and Georgette German, won seats in neighbouring wards. [4] Eileen Roberts, recently widowed by the death of Conservative MP Michael Roberts, won a council seat in Rhiwbina. [1]

Cardiff Council election result 1983 [2]
PartySeatsGainsLossesNet gain/lossSeats %Votes %Votes+/−
  Conservative 34193+1652.3
  Labour 28136+743.0
  Alliance 330+34.6
  Plaid Cymru 000±00.04,037
  Ecology 000±00.01,661N/A
  Communist 000±00.0214

Ward Results

Contests took place in all twenty six wards. [2] (a) [5] (b)

Adamsdown (2 seats)

Adamsdown [5] [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour J. A. Phillips 1,063 61.8 N/A
Labour William P. Herbert * 1,062
Conservative W. Lewis40023.3N/A
Conservative A. L. Kelly391
Alliance A. Miles17810.3N/A
Alliance H. Minor173
Plaid Cymru Sian A. Edwards794.6N/A
Plaid Cymru Gwerfyl Arthur47
Turnout 30.6N/A
Registered electors 5,626
Labour hold Swing
Labour hold Swing

Butetown (1 seat)

Butetown [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Gaynor A. Legall 870 77.6 N/A
Conservative L. J. Day25122.4N/A
Turnout 46.2N/A
Registered electors 2,427
Labour win (new seat)

Caerau (2 seats)

Caerau [5] [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour W. H. Carling o1,462 54.6 N/A
Labour David J. Seligman o1,237
Conservative A. H. Hinder65824.6N/A
Conservative F. C. McAndrews571
Alliance J. R. Blain36413.6N/A
Ecology G. P. Jones1957.3N/A
Turnout 35.7N/A
Registered electors 7,501
Labour win (new seat)
Labour win (new seat)

Canton (3 seats)

Canton [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Bella Brown* 2,530 50.8 N/A
Conservative D. O. Davey 2,215
Conservative Trevor C. Tyrrell 2,170
Labour C. D. Eccles1,63732.9N/A
Labour Mark Drakeford 1,600
Labour J. Winslade1,549
Alliance M. Lawson59912.0N/A
Alliance G. Shepherd546
Alliance W. M. Smith534
Plaid Cymru Keith Parry2124.3N/A
Plaid Cymru Peter J. Keelan147
Turnout 47.5N/A
Registered electors 10,484
Conservative hold Swing
Conservative gain from Labour Swing
Conservative gain from Labour Swing

Cathays (3 seats)

Cathays [5] [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Alliance Michael J. German 1,742 36.9 N/A
Alliance Fred J. Hornblow 1,639
Labour Derek R. Allinson * 1,531 32.4 N/A
Alliance D. W. T. Rees1,524
Labour M. F. Harris1,496
Labour W. C. Laing1,335
Conservative F. Moorcraft96120.4N/A
Conservative S. Phillips909
Conservative E. Robinson861
Plaid Cymru Owen John Thomas 2615.5N/A
Ecology K. J. Pearson2254.8
Turnout 45.7N/A
Registered electors 10,321
Alliance gain from Labour Swing
Alliance gain from Labour Swing
Labour hold Swing

Cyncoed (3 seats)

Cyncoed [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative R. A. Hennessey o2,977 62.1 N/A
Conservative A. John o2,957
Conservative Stefan Terlezki o2,926
Alliance J. A. Bryant1,33527.8N/A
Alliance P. J. D. Bramall1,308
Alliance G. S. Sagoo1,556
Labour P. J. Williams48310.1N/A
Labour A. R. Lipman468
Labour M. J. Parkinson460
Turnout 55.6N/A
Registered electors 8,624
Conservative win (new seat)
Conservative win (new seat)
Conservative win (new seat)

Ely (3 seats)

Ely [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour A. Buttle * 2,083 66.9 N/A
Labour M. Buttle * 1,926
Labour Charlie Gale * 1,904
Conservative H. Derrick1,03133.1N/A
Conservative B. Sullivan1,007
Conservative J. Bushrod980
Turnout 28.8N/A
Registered electors 10,826
Labour hold Swing
Labour hold Swing
Labour hold Swing

Fairwater (3 seats)

Fairwater [5] [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour T. J. Ward o1,845 46.5 N/A
Labour M. J. Phillips o1,807
Labour D. M. Evans o1,685
Conservative B. Hall1,45236.6N/A
Conservative M. A. Hallinan1,324
Conservative F. B. Bowles1,317
Alliance D. A. Griffin66916.9N/A
Alliance Jacqui Gasson 500
Turnout 38.7N/A
Registered electors 10,253
Labour hold Swing
Labour hold Swing
Labour hold Swing

Gabalfa (1 seat)

Gabalfa [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour C. Hutchinson 929 40.0 N/A
Alliance H. J. O'Brien76632.9N/A
Conservative J. R. Turner63027.1N/A
Turnout 49.0N/A
Registered electors 4,749
Labour hold Swing

Grangetown (3 seats)

Grangetown [5] [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour John Smith o2,221 52.9 N/A
Labour P. Bowen o2,074
Labour C. Sheehan 2,032
Conservative J. P. O'Reilly *1,97847.1N/A
Conservative G. E. Judd *1,894
Conservative B. F. Moorcraft *1,795
Turnout 45.7N/A
Registered electors 9,182
Labour gain from Conservative Swing
Labour gain from Conservative Swing
Labour gain from Conservative Swing

Smith and Bowen were previously councillors for the South ward.

Heath (3 seats)

Heath [5] [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative C. D. Milsom o2,840 57.4 N/A
Conservative Ronald F. Watkiss o2,830
Conservative T. D. Merridew 2,702
Alliance P. Eldon82216.6N/A
Alliance P. H. Williams732
Labour R. S. Hughes70214.2N/A
Alliance E. Fitzgerald-Kuhl685
Labour B. R. Jones650
Labour E. Scheeres629
Ecology M. J. Evans3447.0N/A
Plaid Cymru H. M. Jones2414.9N/A
Plaid Cymru E. A. Coyle185
Turnout 9,35752.9N/A
Registered electors 9,182
Conservative win (new seat)
Conservative win (new seat)
Conservative win (new seat)

Milsom and Watkiss were previously councillors in the Llanishen ward.

Lisvane and St Mellons (1 seat)

Lisvane and St Mellons [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative T. H. Davies o1,152 71.5 N/A
Alliance D. I. Harrison26016.1N/A
Labour M. G. Picardie19912.4N/A
Turnout 33.9N/A
Registered electors 4,752
Conservative win (new seat)

Davies was the sitting councillor in the preceding ward of Lisvane, Llanedeyrn & St Mellons.

Llandaff (2 seats)

Llandaff [5] [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative M. E. Jones * 1,828 57.0 N/A
Conservative Julius Hermer * 1,807
Alliance W. A. Slack44613.9N/A
Labour R. W. Rees35911.2N/A
Labour C. P. Byers328
Ecology R. J. Rendell2999.3N/A
Plaid Cymru D. Cadog2758.6N/A
Turnout 47.6N/A
Registered electors 6,739
Conservative hold Swing
Conservative hold Swing

Llandaff North (2 seats)

Llandaff North [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour M. D. Flynn o1,576 44.7 N/A
Labour E. M. Matthewson o1,433
Alliance M. J. Sheppard1,01428.8N/A
Alliance T. O. Jenkins920
Conservative D. C.Porter86624.6N/A
Conservative M. E. W. Lindsay824
Plaid Cymru T. O'Neill671.9N/A
Turnout 57.8N/A
Registered electors 6,091
Labour win (new seat)
Labour win (new seat)


Llanishen (3 seats)

Llanishen [5] [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative L. O. Smith * 1,999 45.3 N/A
Conservative A. J. Thomas * 1,904
Conservative C. M. Saunders 1,890
Labour T. James o1,57835.7N/A
Labour A. Hobbs-Staff1,550
Labour A. K. Verma o1,506
Alliance T. J. Fitzgerald-Khul70716.0N/A
Alliance J. D. Gough705
Alliance S. M Adalja599
Plaid Cymru A. Couch1302.9N/A
Plaid Cymru D. Balch110
Turnout 41.1N/A
Registered electors 10,740
Conservative hold Swing
Conservative hold Swing
Conservative hold Swing

Representation reduced from six seats to three at this election.

Llanrumney (3 seats)

Llanrumney [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour M. B. Llewellyn o1,901 44.8 N/A
Labour John R. Phillips o1,711
Labour John A. Reynolds o1,646
Alliance Vita V. Jones1,29730.6N/A
Conservative E. R. McCarthy1,04124.6N/A
Alliance K. Tobin1,028
Conservative S. Woods1,028
Alliance E. Morgan1,010
Conservative S. Brown987
Turnout 45.7N/A
Registered electors 9,267
Labour win (new seat)
Labour win (new seat)
Labour win (new seat)

South Glamorgan councillor Vita Jones had recently defected from Labour to the SDP-Liberal Alliance. [4]

Pentwyn (3 seats)

Pentwyn [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative R. Lewis o1,763 42.1 N/A
Conservative M. Newman o1,746
Conservative W. J. Pursey 1,687
Labour S. J. Caesar1,12826.9N/A
Labour R. Longworth1,116
Labour S. G. Lewis1,041
Alliance M. McMahon1,03024.6N/A
Alliance M. Litchfield1,024
Alliance F. A. J. Adams985
Plaid Cymru A. Morgan2716.5N/A
Turnout 35.8N/A
Registered electors 11,701
Conservative win (new seat)
Conservative win (new seat)
Conservative win (new seat)

Plasnewydd (4 seats)

Plasnewydd [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Olwen M. Watkin * 2,227 36.4 N/A
Conservative S. A. James * 2,052
Conservative D. J. Evans * 1,969
Alliance Georgette O. J. German 1,819 29.7 N/A
Conservative R. C. Oldridge1,743
Labour G. E. Jenkins1,53225.5N/A
Labour M. Phelps1,475
Alliance D. E. Hill1,395
Alliance A. D. Powell1,391
Labour J. Wilkinson1,368
Alliance Jenny Randerson 1,346
Labour M. Walsh1,346
Ecology P. Taylor2824.6N/A
Plaid Cymru G. M. Rees1913.1N/A
Plaid Cymru N. Hoyle170
Plaid Cymru N. J. ap Glyn162
Plaid Cymru C. H. Morgan155
Communist R. Macmillan741.2N/A
Communist R. Spencer72
Communist J. Warhurst68
Turnout 50.9N/A
Registered electors 12,039
Conservative hold Swing
Conservative hold Swing
Conservative hold Swing
Alliance win (new seat)

The number of seats available increased from three to four at this election.

Radyr & St Fagans (1 seat)

Radyr & St Fagans [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative L. Clarke o1,156 55.1 N/A
Alliance Marion Drake70333.5N/A
Labour B. Drew o24011.4N/A
Turnout 54.3N/A
Registered electors 3,869
Conservative win (new seat)

Clarke was the sitting councillor for Radyr St Fagans & Tongwynlais. Drew was a councillor in the Rumney ward.

Rhiwbina (3 seats)

Rhiwbina [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative E. J. Roberts 3,200 58.2 N/A
Conservative Gareth J. J. Neale * 3,117
Conservative Jeffrey P. Sainsbury 3,099
Alliance S. R. Crossley1,30323.7N/A
Alliance G. M. James1,037
Alliance P. M. O'Brien1,032
Labour S. I. Walters78314.2N/A
Labour J. R. Cocks753
Labour R. T. Hill665
Plaid Cymru L. R. Evans2113.8N/A
Plaid Cymru J. A. M. Jones153
Turnout 58.5N/A
Registered electors 9,399
Conservative hold Swing
Conservative hold Swing
Conservative hold Swing

Riverside (3 seats)

Riverside [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour W. M. Walker * 1,699 43.4 N/A
Labour J. M. Southern * 1,660
Labour Sue Essex 1,653
Conservative A. Johnson1,30133.2N/A
Conservative M. Hughes1,296
Conservative R. de Souza1,272
Alliance D. Mathias60115.3N/A
Alliance J. N. Roberts469
Alliance D. Sura418
Ecology A. S. Lukes3168.1N/A
Turnout 41.7N/A
Registered electors 9,400
Labour hold Swing
Labour hold Swing
Labour hold Swing

Roath (3 seats)

Roath [5] [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative C. F. Hutchings * 2,498 60.2 N/A
Conservative N. Lloyd-Edwards * 2,477
Conservative G. M. Brinks * 2,457
Alliance L. W. Kelloway86120.7N/A
Alliance S. J. Soffa823
Alliance P. Callaghan818
Labour I. S. Albrow66816.1N/A
Labour N. M. Davies663
Labour E. A. Screen625
Plaid Cymru G. Adams1233.0N/A
Plaid Cymru B. M. Smith118
Plaid Cymru S. W. Evans115
Turnout 42.1N/A
Registered electors 9,852
Conservative hold Swing
Conservative hold Swing
Conservative hold Swing

Rumney (2 seats)

Rumney [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative J. B. Joslyn 1,677 53.4 N/A
Conservative L. D. Quinn 1,508
Labour P. H. Owen *1,12635.8N/A
Labour M. Longden *1,113
Alliance M. J. Morgan34010.8N/A
Turnout 46.9N/A
Registered electors 6,696
Conservative gain from Labour Swing
Conservative gain from Labour Swing

Splott (2 seats)

Splott [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour D. R. Ormonde * 1,860 55.0 N/A
Labour E. Price * 1,759
Conservative F. Chichester82024.2N/A
Conservative R. D. James751
Alliance P. M. Evans6037.8N/A
Plaid Cymru S. Lake1003.0N/A
Turnout 42.6N/A
Registered electors 7,941
Labour hold Swing
Labour hold Swing

Trowbridge (2 seats)

Trowbridge [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour D. M. English o1,120 76.2 N/A
Labour Alun E. Michael o1,103
Conservative A. T. McCabe35023.8N/A
Turnout 17.5N/A
Registered electors 8,408
Labour win (new seat)
Labour win (new seat)

English and Michael were previously councillors in a larger Rumney ward.

Whitchurch & Tongwynlais (4 seats)

Whitchurch & Tongwynlais [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative W. H. Griffiths o3,460 54.7 N/A
Conservative B. J. Griffiths 3,320
Conservative Timothy H. Davies o3,294
Conservative Victor Riley o3,221
Labour T. Crews1,44522.8N/A
Labour D. Hutchinson1,383
Labour J. Williams1,291
Labour V. White1,265
Alliance P. Hickey1,14118.0N/A
Alliance H.Howell999
Alliance A. Holder993
Alliance S. Morton933
Plaid Cymru Harri Pritchard-Jones 2854.5N/A
Plaid Cymru Alan Jobbins209
Turnout 54.6N/A
Registered electors 11,600
Conservative win (new seat)
Conservative win (new seat)
Conservative win (new seat)
Conservative win (new seat)

(a) Elections Centre source also compares the percentage vote of the lead candidate for each party in the ward.
(b) South Wales Echo source also indicates existing councillors "but, because of boundary changes, not necessarily representing the ward being contested". It gives middle initials. It lists the 'green' candidates as "Ecology" and the 'Liberal/SDP' as "Alliance".

*existing councillor, for the same ward
oexisting councillor, though because of boundary changes not for the same ward

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Michael Thomas (6 May 1983). "Cardiff is back in Tory hands". South Wales Echo . p. 1.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 "Cardiff Welsh District Council Election Results 1973-1991" (PDF). The Elections Centre (Plymouth University). Retrieved 27 June 2019.
  3. ↑ "The City of Cardiff (Electoral Arrangements) Order 1982" (PDF). legislation.gov.uk. The National Archives. 15 April 1982. Retrieved 27 June 2019.
  4. 1 2 3 Michael Thomas (6 May 1983). "Cardiff could go 'private'". South Wales Echo. p. 6.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "Election Results S. Glam. - Cardiff City Council". South Wales Echo. 6 May 1983. pp. 6–7.
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