Welsh local election
1889 Carmarthenshire County Council election![](//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/dc/Flag_of_Wales.svg/50px-Flag_of_Wales.svg.png)
|
|
All 68 seats to Carmarthenshire County Council 35 seats needed for a majority |
---|
| First party | Second party | Third party | | | | | Party | Liberal | Conservative | Liberal Unionist | Seats won | 53/68 | 12/68 | 2/68 | Councillors | 39 | 9 | 2 | Aldermen | 14 | 3 | 0 | | | Fourth party | | | | | Party | Independent | | Seats won | 1/68 | | Councillors | 1 | | Aldermen | 0 | | |
| Council control after election Liberal Liberal Party | |
The first election to the Carmarthenshire County Council was held in January 1889.[1] It was followed by the 1892 election.
Overview of the result
1889 was one of those landmark years in the history of Welsh Liberalism, a coming of age symbolized by the triumph across Wales of Liberal candidates in the inaugural county council elections.[citation needed]
Candidates
Most of the seats were contested by Liberal and Conservative candidates, although in a number of cases rival Liberals fought each other. The number of unopposed returns was small.
Outcome
There were a large number of contested elections and the majorities were small in most instances. The Liberals won a large majority of the seats with only nine Conservatives returned. There were also two Liberal Unionists, in Carmarthen and Llansteffan.
The Liberal victory was later auegmnented by the election of fourteen Liberals as aldermen, as opposed to three Conservatives.
This was the inaugural county election and therefore no comparison can be made with the previous elections. In some cases there is an ambiguity in the sources over the party affiliations and this is explained below where relevant.
Ward results
Abergwili
Abergwili 1889 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Liberal | D.L. Jones | 226 | | |
| Liberal | John Lloyd | 221 | | |
Majority | 5 | | |
| Liberal win (new seat) |
Bettws
Bettws 1889 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Liberal | William Nathaniel Jones | 277 | | |
| Liberal | James Rees | 230 | | |
Majority | 46 | | |
| Liberal win (new seat) |
Caio
Caio 1889 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Liberal | C. Lewis Davies | 240 | | |
| Conservative | Sir James Hills-Johnes | 200 | | |
Majority | 40 | | |
| Liberal win (new seat) |
Carmarthen Eastern Ward (Lower Division)
Carmarthen Eastern Ward (Lower Division) 1889 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Liberal | Thomas Jenkins | 235 | | |
| Conservative | H. Brunel White | 230 | | |
Majority | 5 | | |
| Liberal win (new seat) |
Carmarthen Eastern Ward (Upper Division)
Carmarthen Eastern Ward (Upper Division) 1889 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Liberal Unionist | H. Norton | 213 | | |
| Liberal | Thomas Davies | 192 | | |
Majority | 21 | | |
| Liberal Unionist win (new seat) |
Carmarthen Western Ward (Lower Division)
Carmarthen Western Ward (Lower Division) 1889 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Conservative | D.H. Thomas | 170 | | |
| Liberal | W. de G. Warren | 132 | | |
Majority | 38 | | |
| Conservative win (new seat) |
Carmarthen Western Ward (Upper Division)
Carmarthen Eastern Ward (Lower Division) 1889 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Liberal | D. Rixon Morgan | 251 | | |
| Conservative | James Phillips | 182 | | |
Majority | 69 | | |
| Liberal win (new seat) |
Cenarth
Cenarth 1889 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Liberal | Edward Davies | 239 | | |
| Conservative | H.W.T. Howell | 165 | | |
Majority | | | |
| Liberal win (new seat) |
Cilycwm
Cilycwm 1889 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Liberal | Rev Thomas Evans | 156 | | |
| Conservative | R. Campbell-Davys | 137 | | |
| Liberal Unionist | D.G. Vaughan | 63 | | |
Majority | 19 | | |
| Liberal win (new seat) |
Conwil
Conwil 1889 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Liberal | Charles Jones | 265 | | |
| Conservative | Thomas Davies | 121 | | |
Majority | 144 | | |
| Liberal win (new seat) |
Kidwelly
Kidwelly 1889 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Liberal | Daniel Stephens | 135 | | |
| Liberal Unionist | T.W.A. Evans | 85 | | |
| Conservative | D.J. John | 28 | | |
Majority | 50 | | |
| Liberal win (new seat) |
Laugharne
Laugharne 1889 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Liberal | John D. Morse | 145 | | |
| Conservative | E. Falkener | 128 | | |
Majority | 17 | | |
| Liberal win (new seat) |
Llanarthney
Llanarthney 1889 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Conservative | Thomas Davies | 217 | | |
| Liberal | Rev D.S. Davies | 159 | | |
| Conservative | Rev R.G. Lawrence | 62 | | |
Majority | 58 | | |
| Conservative win (new seat) |
Llandebie
Llandebie 1889 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Conservative | Lord Dynevor | 260 | | |
| Liberal | David Richards | 186 | | |
Majority | 74 | | |
| Conservative win (new seat) |
Llandilo Rural
Llandilo Rural 1889 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Liberal | Thomas Powell | 351 | | |
| Conservative | Herbert Peel | 202 | | |
Majority | 149 | | |
| Liberal win (new seat) |
Llandilo Urban
Llandilo Urban 1889 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Liberal | J.W. Gwynne Hughes | 174 | | |
| Conservative | John Thomas | 120 | | |
Majority | 54 | | |
| Liberal win (new seat) |
Llandovery
Llandovery 1889 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Conservative | Col. D.E. Jones | Unopposed |
| Conservative win (new seat) |
Llanedy
Llanedy 1889 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Liberal | Evan Evans | Unopposed |
| Liberal win (new seat) |
Llanegwad
Llanegwad 1889 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Liberal | H.J. Thomas | 330 | | |
| Conservative | Henry Davies | 109 | | |
| Conservative | A.W. Stokes | 62 | | |
Majority | 221 | | |
| Liberal win (new seat) |
Llanelly Rural and Ward No.1 (six seats)
Llanelly Rural and Ward No.1 1889 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Liberal | Gwilym Evans | 1,402 | | |
| Liberal | Joseph Mayberry | 1,332 | | |
| Liberal | Henry Wilkins | 1,330 | | |
| Liberal | Owen Bonville | 1,234 | | |
| Liberal | Thomas Jenkins | 1,212 | | |
| Liberal | Rev P. Phillips | 1,139 | | |
| Independent | Hugh Nevill | 776 | | |
| Conservative | James Buckley | 756 | | |
| Conservative | Ernest Trubshaw | 722 | | |
| Liberal win (new seat) |
| Liberal win (new seat) |
| Liberal win (new seat) |
| Liberal win (new seat) |
| Liberal win (new seat) |
| Liberal win (new seat) |
Llanelly Ward No.2 (three seats)
Llanelly Ward No.2 1889 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Liberal | Thomas Phillips | 774 | | |
| Liberal | W.J. Wilson | 715 | | |
| Liberal | D.C. Parry | 659 | | |
| Conservative | Dr Henry J. Buckley | 553 | | |
| Liberal Unionist | John A. Williams | 483 | | |
| Liberal win (new seat) |
| Liberal win (new seat) |
| Liberal win (new seat) |
Llanelly Ward No.3 (two seats)
Llanelly Ward No.3 1889 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Liberal | John Bourne | Unopposed |
| Conservative | J.S. Tregoning | Unopposed |
| Liberal win (new seat) |
| Conservative win (new seat) |
Llanfihangel Aberbythick
Llanfihangel Aberbythick 1889 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Conservative | Viscount Emlyn | Unopposed |
| Conservative win (new seat) |
Llanfihangel-ar-Arth
Llanfihangel-ar-Arth 1889 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Liberal | Evan Harries | Unopposed |
| Liberal win (new seat) |
Llangadock
Llangadock 1889 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Liberal | James Jenkins | 270 | | |
| Liberal | W.N. Lewis | 213 | | |
Majority | 57 | | |
| Liberal win (new seat) |
Llangeler
Llangeler 1889 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Liberal | John Lewis | 268 | | |
| Conservative | Arthur Howell Jones | 260 | | |
Majority | 8 | | |
| Liberal win (new seat) |
Llangendeirne
Llangendeirne 1889 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Liberal | Evans | Unopposed |
| Liberal win (new seat) |
Llangennech
Llangennech 1889 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Liberal | J. Glyn Thomas | 202 | | |
| Conservative | Rev E.A. Davies | 111 | | |
Majority | 91 | | |
| Liberal win (new seat) |
Llangunnor
Llangunnor 1889 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Liberal | C.E. Morris | 190 | | |
| Conservative | David Evan Stephens | 169 | | |
Majority | 21 | | |
| Liberal win (new seat) |
Llanon
Llanon 1889 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Liberal | Rev W.E. Evans | 146 | | |
| Conservative | Major Edward Riley | 90 | | |
Majority | 56 | | |
| Liberal win (new seat) |
Llansawel
Llanstephan
Thomas Morris of Coomb was the son of William Morris, former Liberal MP for Carmarthen Boroughs.
Llanstephan 1889 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Liberal Unionist | Thomas Morris | 197 | | |
| Liberal | John Johns | 157 | | |
Majority | 40 | | |
| Liberal Unionist win (new seat) |
Llanybyther
Llanybyther 1889 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Conservative | Col. H. Davies-Evans | 267 | | |
| Liberal | D.H. James | 246 | | |
Majority | 21 | | |
| Conservative win (new seat) |
Mothvey
Mothvey 1889 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Liberal | George Jones | 176 | | |
| Liberal | John Lewis | 136 | | |
Majority | 40 | | |
| Liberal win (new seat) |
Pembrey (two seats)
Pembrey 1889 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Independent Liberal | W.J. Buckley | 176 | | |
| Liberal | William Howell | 460 | | |
| Liberal | Rev D. Evans | 397 | | |
| Conservative | T. Williams | 394 | | |
| Independent Liberal win (new seat) |
| Liberal win (new seat) |
Quarter Bach
Quarter Bach 1889 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Liberal | Dr Howell Rees | Unopposed |
| Liberal win (new seat) |
Rhydcymmerai
Rhydcymmerai 1889 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Liberal | Daniel Evans | 165 | | |
| Liberal | Thomas Price | 143 | | |
Majority | 22 | | |
| Liberal win (new seat) |
St Clears
St Clears 1889 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Liberal | T. Evans | Unopposed |
| Liberal win (new seat) |
St Ishmael
J. Lewis Philipps of Bolahaul, near Carmarthen, had been a prominent figure in county government for many years and was chairman of the Carmarthen Board of Guardians from 1861 until 1884.[2]
St Ishmael 1889 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Conservative | J. Lewis Philipps | 203 | | |
| Liberal | Evan Stephens | 180 | | |
Majority | 23 | | |
| Conservative win (new seat) |
Trelech
Trelech 1889 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Liberal | J. Davies | 245 | | |
| Liberal | W. Phillips | 181 | | |
| Conservative | D. Jones | 108 | | |
Majority | 40 | | |
| Liberal win (new seat) |
Whitland and Llanboidy (two seats)
Whitland and Llanboidy 1889 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Liberal | Rev. William Thomas | 582 | | |
| Liberal | John Llewelyn | 452 | | |
| Liberal | J. Bagnall Evans | 321 | | |
| Conservative | J. Beynon | 206 | | |
| Liberal win (new seat) |
| Liberal win (new seat) |
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 election of the initial sixteen aldermen, half of the aldermanic bench would be elected every three years following the triennial council election. After the initial elections, there were seventeen aldermanic vacancies and the following aldermen were appointed by the newly elected council (with the number of votes cast recorded in each case). A second vote was held to determine which aldermen should retire in three years.[3]
Elected for six years
- John James, Llandovery (from outside the Council) 40
- W.O. Brigstocke JP, Liberal (from outside the Council) 38
- David Randell MP, Liberal (from outside the Council) 38
- Dr J.A. Jones, Llanelly, Liberal (from outside the Council) 37
- H. Nevill, Llanelli, Conservative (from outside the Council) 36
- T. Williams, Llwynhendy, Liberal (from outside the Council) 33
- D. Richards, Ammanford, Liberal (defeated candidate at Llandebie) 30
- Joseph Joseph, Liberal (from outside the Council) 27
- W.R. Edwards, Carmarthen, Liberal (from outside the Council)
Elected for three years
- Col. Gwynnne Hughes JP, Liberal (from outside the Council) 36
- J. Lewis Philipps, Carmarthen, Conservative (elected councillor for St Ishmaels) 35
- Sir James Hills-Johnes, Conservative (defeated candidate at Caeo) 35
- W. de G. Warren, Tenby, Liberal (from outside the Council) 34
- Robert Scourfield, Llanstephan, Liberal (from outside the Council) 33
- D. Bowen, Llandeilo, Liberal (from outside the Council) 32
- J. Bagnall Evans JP, Liberal (defeated candidate at Whitland and Llanboidy) 31
- D. James, Bailibedw, Liberal (from outside the Council) 31
As in Cardiganshire the Liberals agreed that the Conservatives be allocated three aldermanic seats only.[3] Only John Lewis Philipps was an elected member of the council.
Initially, Lewis Morris had been elected an alderman but he declined on the basis that he had no sufficient time at his disposal. He was then replaced by W.R. Edwards at the second meeting of the council.[4]
Aldermanic Vacanies, 1889-1892
David Bowen died a few weeks after his election as alderman, The council resolved to replace him with another representative from the Llandeilo area to serve for the remainder of the three-year term.[5]
- Morgan Davies, Llandeilo, Liberal (from outside the Council)
Two vacancies arose in early 1891 following the resignation of W de G Warren and the death of J. Lewis Philipps. The vacancies were filled as follows:[6]
- C.E. Morris, Liberal (elected member for Llangunnor)
- David Evans, Llanelli, Liberal
As a result of these changes there was one additional Liberal alderman at the expense of the Conservatives.
Morgan Davies died in February 1892, shortly before the end of his term as alderman.[7]
By-elections, 1889-1892
St Ishmaels by-election, 1889
In contrast to the position in other counties only one by-election was caused by the election of aldermen. This was in St Ishmaels where, following the election of John Lewis Philipps as an alderman the Liberal candidate captured the seat after a contest that took place in heavy snow.[8]
St Ishmaels by-election 1889 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Liberal | J. Lloyd Thomas | 276 | | |
| Conservative | D.T. Morris | 98 | | |
Llanarthney by-election, 1889
Thomas Davies, Bremenda, the member for Llanarthney, died in August 1889 as a result of injuries sustained falling off his horse.[9] Rev R.G. Lawrence of Middleton Hall, an unsuccessful candidate at the election held earlier in the year was returned unopposed.[10]
Llanarthney by-election 1889 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Conservative | Rev R.G. Lawrence | Unopposed | N/A | N/A |
Pembrey by-election, 1890
A by-election arose in the Pembrey ward following the appointment of William Howell as returning officer for the county.[11]
Carmarthen Western Ward (Upper Division) by-election, 1890
D. Rixon Morgan, the sitting member, resigned late in 1890. Professor D.E. Jones of the Presbyterian College, Carmarthen, was chosen as his replacement as Liberal candidate.[12]
Carmarthen Eastern Ward (Lower Division) by-election, 1890 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Liberal | Professor D.E. Jones | Unopposed | N/A | N/A |
| Liberal hold |
References
- ^ "County Councils. The Carmarthenshire Elections". Carmarthen Journal. 1 February 1889. Retrieved 27 April 2015.
- ^ "Death of Mr J.L. Philipps JP, Bolahaul". Carmarthen Journal. 6 February 1891. p. 5. Retrieved 19 October 2015.
- ^ a b "Carmarthenshire County Council". Carmarthen Journal. 8 February 1889. Retrieved 28 April 2015.
- ^ "Carmarthenshire County Council. Election of Chairman and Vice-Chairman". Carmarthen Journal. 1 March 1889. Retrieved 14 October 2015.
- ^ "Carmarthenshire County Council". Carmarthen Journal. 31 May 1889. Retrieved 15 October 2015.
- ^ "Carmarthenshire County Council. Quarterly Meeting". Carmarthen Journal. 13 March 1891. p. 5. Retrieved 15 October 2015.
- ^ "Death of Alderman Morgan Davies". Carmarthen Journal. 22 January 1892. p. 5. Retrieved 19 October 2015.
- ^ "Carmarthen County Council. Bye Election at St Ishmael's". Carmarthen Journal. 15 March 1889. p. 2. Retrieved 14 October 2015.
- ^ "Llanarthney". Carmarthen Journal. 30 August 1889. p. 3. Retrieved 15 October 2015.
- ^ "Llanddarog". Carmarthen Journal. 11 October 1889. p. 3. Retrieved 15 October 2015.
- ^ "Carmarthenshire County Council". Carmarthen Journal. 28 February 1890. p. 5. Retrieved 19 October 2015.
- ^ "Carmarthen County Council". Carmarthen Journal. 21 November 1890. p. 5. Retrieved 15 October 2015.