1904 Carmarthenshire County Council election

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.

1904 Carmarthenshire County Council election

← 1901
1907 →

All 68 seats to Carmarthenshire County Council
35 seats needed for a majority
  First party Second party Third party
 
Party Liberal Conservative Liberal Unionist
Last election 54/68 12/68 1/68
Seats before 54/68 12/68 1/68
Seats won 59/68 7/68 2/68
Councillors 41 7 2
Aldermen 17 0 0
Seats +/– Increase5 Decrease5 Increase1

  Fourth party
 
Party Independent
Last election 1/68
Seats before 1/68
Seats won 0/68
Councillors 0
Aldermen 0
Seats +/– Decrease1

Council control after election

Liberal
Liberal Party

Overview of the result

edit

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

edit

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

edit

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 Hughes 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

edit
Abergwili 1904
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal John Lloyd* 296
Conservative H.W. Pryse 125
Majority
Liberal hold Swing

Bettws

edit
Bettws 1904
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal William Nathaniel Jones* 527
Liberal Tom Jones 505
Majority
Liberal hold Swing

Caio

edit
Caio 1904
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal T. Francis Jones* unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Carmarthen Eastern Ward (Lower Division)

edit
Carmarthen Eastern Ward (Lower Division) 1904
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative T.E. Brigstocke* 268
Liberal H.W. Thomas 207
Majority
Conservative hold Swing

Carmarthen Eastern Ward (Upper Division)

edit
Carmarthen Eastern Ward (Upper Division) 1904
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Rev Andrew Fuller-Mills* 255
Conservative D. Davies 135
Majority
Liberal hold Swing

Carmarthen Western Ward (Lower Division)

edit
Carmarthen Western Ward (Lower Division) 1904
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal John Lewis 162
Conservative James John* 159
Majority 3
Liberal gain from Conservative Swing

Carmarthen Western Ward (Upper Division)

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

Cenarth

edit
Cenarth 1904
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative David Davies* unopposed
Conservative hold Swing

Cilycwm

edit
Cilycwm 1904
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal James Rees* unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Conwil

edit
Conwil 1904
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Thomas Jones* unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Kidwelly

edit
Kidwelly 1904
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Alfred Stephens* unopposed
Conservative hold Swing

Laugharne

edit
Laugharne 1904
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Unionist Richard Evans 185
Liberal John D. Morse* 152
Majority 33
Unionist gain from Liberal Swing

Llanarthney

edit
Llanarthney 1904
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Henry Jones-Davies* unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Llanboidy

edit

David Thomas had been elected as a Conservative in 1901.

Llanboidy 1904
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal David Thomas* unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Llandebie

edit
Llandebie 1904
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal David Davies* unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Llandilo Rural

edit

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

Llandilo Rural 1904
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal William Jones* unopposed
Liberal gain from Independent Swing

Llandilo Urban

edit

Gwynne Hughes had previously sat as a Liberal.

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

Llandovery

edit
Llandovery 1904
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal J.R. James 193
Conservative Walter Powell Jeffreys* 105
Majority
Liberal gain from Conservative Swing

Llanedy

edit
Llanedy 1904
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal John Ll. Thomas* 280
Conservative R.H. Sampson 210
Majority 70
Liberal hold Swing

Llanegwad

edit

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

Llanegwad 1904
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal D.J. Harries 257
Unionist Col. W. Gwynne Hughes* 210
Majority
Liberal gain from Unionist Swing

Llanelly Division 1

edit
Llanelly Division 1 1904
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Unionist W. Griffiths unopposed
Unionist hold Swing

Llanelly Division 2

edit
Llanelly Division 2 1904
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal W. Williams unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Llanelly Division 3

edit
Llanelly Division.3 1904
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal William David* unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Llanelly Division 4

edit
Llanelly Division 4 1904
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Rev Thomas Johns* Unopposed N/A N/A
Liberal hold

Llanelly Division 5

edit
Llanelly Division 5 1904
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal D.C. Parry* unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Llanelly Division 6

edit
Llanelly Division 6 1904
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Joseph Roberts Unopposed
Majority
Liberal hold Swing

Llanelly Division 7

edit
Llanelly Division 7 1904
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Thomas Jones* unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Llanelly Division 8

edit
Llanelly Division 8 1904
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Joseph Williams* unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Llanelly Rural, Berwick

edit
Llanelly Rural, Berwick 1904
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal D. Harry unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Llanelly Rural, Hengoed

edit
Llanelly Rural, Hengoed 1904
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal David John* unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Llanelly Rural, Westfa and Glyn

edit
Llanelly Rural, Westfa and Glyn 1904
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Rev B. Humphreys 293
Liberal Rev John Evans 129
Liberal hold Swing

Llanfihangel Aberbythick

edit
Llanfihangel Aberbythick 1904
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Earl Cawdor* Unopposed N/A N/A
Conservative hold

Llanfihangel-ar-Arth

edit
Llanfihangel-ar-Arth 1904
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Thomas Barrett* unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Llangadock

edit
Llangadock 1904
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal William Davies* unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Llangeler

edit
Llangeler 1904
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Colonel W.P. Lewes* unopposed
Conservative hold Swing

Llangendeirne

edit
Llangendeirne 1904
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal William Jenkins* unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Llangennech

edit
Llangennech 1904
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal T. Thomas unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Llangunnor

edit
Llangunnor 1904
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal C.E. Morris* 182
Conservative David Evan Stephens 160
Liberal hold Swing

Llanon

edit
Llanon 1904
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Morgan Jones* unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Llansawel

edit
Llansawel 1904
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Sir J.H.W. Drummond, Bart.* Unopposed N/A N/A
Conservative hold

Llanstephan

edit
Llanstephan 1904
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal John Johns* unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Llanybyther

edit

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
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal J. Thomas 266
Conservative David Williams 234
Majority 32
Liberal hold Swing

Mothvey

edit
Mothvey 1904
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal David Davies* unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Pembrey North

edit
Pembrey North 1904
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Rev J.H. Rees* 272
Liberal Dr J.H. Williams 174
Unionist Rev W.G. Williams 129
Liberal hold Swing

Pembrey South

edit

This ward was not recorded in the local press.

Pembrey South 1901
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Thomas F. Wilkins 391
John G. Thomas 148
Conservative hold Swing

Quarter Bach

edit
Quarter Bach 1904
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal W.J. Williams 296
Liberal Gwilym Vaughan 289
Liberal hold Swing

Rhydcymmerai

edit
Rhydcymmerai 1904
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Benjamin Evans* unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

St Clears

edit

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

St Clears 1904
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal J. Lewis 253
Liberal Dr R.L. Thomas* 182
Independent Capt. D.J. Powell 28
Liberal gain from Conservative Swing

St Ishmael

edit
St Ishmael 1904
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal John Lloyd Thomas* unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Trelech

edit
Trelech 1904
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal W. Thomas unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Whitland

edit
Whitland 1904
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal J. Scourfield* unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Election of aldermen

edit

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:

  • John Williams, retiring alderman (47)
  • John Lewis, retiring alderman (45)
  • D.L. Jones, retiring alderman (42)
  • R.W. Stephens, retiring alderman (48)
  • John Rees, retiring alderman (42)
  • Rev William Davies, retiring alderman (42)

In addition, two new aldermen were elected:

  • W.N. Jones, elected member for Betws (46)
  • Thomas Jones, elected member for Llanelli Ward 7 (42)
  • Rev Thomas Johns, elected member for Llanelli Ward 4 (42

Four retiring aldermen were not re-elected:

  • J.S. Tregoning, Iscoed, Conservative
  • Rev. W. Thomas, Whitland, Liberal
  • David Evans, Llangennech, Liberal
  • James Hill-Johnes, Dolaucothy, Conservative

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

By-elections between 1904 and 1907

edit

Betws by-election 1904

edit

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
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal J. Towyn Jones 611
Liberal David John Jones 416
Majority 195
Turnout
Liberal hold Swing

Notes

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

References

edit
  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. ^ a b "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.