1913 Carmarthenshire County Council election

The ninth election to the Carmarthenshire County Council was held in March 1913.[1] 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.

1913 Carmarthenshire County Council election

← 1910
1919 →

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 53/68 13/68 1/68
Seats before 53/68 13/68 1/68
Seats won 51/68 15/68 1/68
Councillors 37 12 1
Aldermen 14 3 0
Seats +/– Decrease2 Increase2 Decrease0

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

Council control after election

Liberal
Liberal Party

Overview of the result

edit

The Liberals retained a strong majority although the elections were far less politicized than in previous years. With a few exceptions, members were returned unopposed.[2]

Boundary changes

edit

There were no boundary changes.

Candidates

edit

Only two of those elected at the first election in 1889, and who had served continuously since then, sought re-election. Sir James Drummond, the Lord Lieutenant of Carmarthenshire and D,C. Parry (Llanelli) were both returned unopposed.

Ward results

edit

Abergwili

edit
Abergwili 1913
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal John Griffiths* unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Ammanford

edit
Ammanford 1913
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Col. David Morris* unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Bettws

edit
Bettws 1913
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Tom Morris* 503
Liberal Henry Folland 285
Liberal Arthur Williams 142
Majority 218
Labour hold Swing

Caio

edit
Caio 1913
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Sir James Hills-Johnes* unopposed

Carmarthen Eastern Ward (Lower Division)

edit
Carmarthen Eastern Ward (Lower Division) 1913
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Dr David Denzil Harries* unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Carmarthen Eastern Ward (Upper Division)

edit
Carmarthen Eastern Ward (Upper Division) 1913
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Rev Andrew Fuller-Mills* Unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Carmarthen Western Ward (Lower Division)

edit
Carmarthen Western Ward (Lower Division) 1913
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative H.S. Holmes 152
Liberal John Lewis* 136
Majority 16
Conservative gain from Liberal Swing

Carmarthen Western Ward (Upper Division)

edit
Carmarthen Western Ward (Lower Division) 1913
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal H.F. Blagdon-Richards* 268
Conservative John Crossman 243
Majority 25
Liberal hold Swing

Cenarth

edit
Cenarth 1913
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal John Lewis* 261
Conservative David Evans 231
Majority 30
Liberal hold Swing

Cilycwm

edit
Cilycwm 1913
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative J. Campbell-Davys 246
Liberal Daniel Lewis 99
Majority 147
Conservative gain from Liberal Swing

Conwil

edit
Conwil 1913
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Thomas Jones* unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Kidwelly

edit
Kidwelly 1913
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Alfred Stephens* unopposed
Conservative hold Swing

Laugharne

edit
Laugharne 1913
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative W.H. Dempster 223
Liberal T.S.K. Morse 184
Majority 39
Conservative gain from Liberal Swing

Llanarthney

edit
Llanarthney 1913
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal W. Jones Thomas* unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Llanboidy

edit
Llanboidy 1913
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal David Evans* unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Llandebie

edit
Llandebie 1913
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal David Davies* Unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Llandilo Rural

edit
Llandilo Rural 1913
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal L.N. Powell* unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Llandilo Urban

edit
Llandilo Urban 1913
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal J.W. Gwynne Hughes* unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Llandovery

edit
Llandovery 1913
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent J.P. Carbery Vaughan Pryse-Rice* unopposed
Independent hold Swing

Llandyssilio

edit
Llandyssilio 1913
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Benjamin John* unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Llanedy

edit
Llanedy 1910
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal John Jones* unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Llanegwad

edit
Llanegwad 1913
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent Delme Davies-Evans* unopposed
Independent hold Swing

Llanelly Division 1

edit
Llanelly Division 1 1913
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent William Griffiths unopposed
Independent hold Swing

Llanelly Division 2

edit
Llanelly Division 2 1913
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour John Simlett* unopposed
Labour hold Swing

Llanelly Division 3

edit
Llanelly Division 3 1910
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal William David* unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Llanelly Division 4

edit
Llanelly Division 4 1913
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal John Thomas* unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Llanelly Division 5

edit
Llanelly Division 5 1913
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal D.C. Parry* unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Llanelly Division 6

edit
Llanelly Division 6 1913
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Joseph Roberts* unopposed
Labour hold Swing

Llanelly Division 7

edit
Llanelly Division 7 1913
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Rev Hugh Jones* unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Llanelly Division 8

edit
Llanelly Division 8 1910
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Joseph Williams* unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Llanelly Rural, Berwick

edit
Llanelly Rural, Berwick 1913
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal David Hughes 299
Liberal David Harry* 289
Majority 10
Liberal hold Swing

Llanelly Rural, Hengoed

edit
Llanelly Rural, Hengoed 1913
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal W.B. Jones* unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Llanelly Rural, Westfa and Glyn

edit
Llanelly Rural, Westfa and Glyn 1913
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Rev Benjamin Humphreys unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Llanfihangel Aberbythick

edit
Llanfihangel Aberbythick 1913
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal William Harris unopposed
Liberal gain from Conservative Swing

Llanfihangel-ar-Arth

edit
Llanfihangel-ar-Arth 1907
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Thomas Rees Jones 261
Liberal Ben Rees 170
Majority 91
Conservative hold Swing

Llangadock

edit
Llangadock 1913
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Mervyn Lloyd Peel* unopposed
Conservative hold Swing

Llangeler

edit
Llangeler 1913
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative William Lewes* 360
Liberal Rev Edward Teilo Owen 320
Majority 40
Conservative hold Swing

Llangendeirne

edit
Llangendeirne 1913
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Rev R.H. Jones 273
Liberal Rev Ben Morris 238
Majority 35
Liberal hold Swing

Llangennech

edit
Llangennech 1913
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Thomas Thomas* unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Llangunnor

edit
Llangunnor 1913
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Rev Evan B. Lloyd unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Llanon

edit
Llanon 1913
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal William Greville* unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Llansawel

edit
Llansawel 1913
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Sir J.H.W. Drummond, Bart.* Unopposed N/A N/A
Conservative hold

Llanstephan

edit
Llanstephan 1913
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal John Johns* unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Llanybyther

edit
Llanybyther 1913
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Thomas Jones 334
Liberal Dr E. Jones 240
Liberal hold Swing

Mothvey

edit
Mothvey 1913
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal David Davies* unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Pembrey North

edit
Pembrey North 1913
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Rev James Howell Rees* 302
Liberal David Evans 227
Conservative William Bassett 184
Majority 75
Liberal hold Swing

Pembrey South

edit
Pembrey South 1913
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Dr John Henry Williams 390
Independent George Eynon Bowen* 202
Majority 188
Labour gain from Independent Swing

Quarter Bach

edit
Quarter Bach 1913
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal W.J. Williams* unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Rhydcymmerai

edit
Rhydcymmerai 1910
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Benjamin Evans* unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

St Clears

edit
St Clears 1910
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal James Phillips* unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

St Ishmael

edit
St Ishmael 1913
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal John Lloyd Thomas* unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Trelech

edit
Trelech 1913
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Philip Phillips unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Whitland

edit
Whitland 1913
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal William Thomas 228
Conservative Dr R.L. Thomas* 184
Majority 44
Liberal gain from Conservative 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. At the statutory meeting there was disagreement over the election of aldermen with the Liberals initially nominating eight of their number for the eight vacancies. However, W.J. Williams of Brynamman withdrew in favour of a Conservative, Dudley Drummond.[3]

Following the elections the following eight aldermen were elected:

  • H. Jones-Thomas, retiring alderman (47)
  • J. Llew. Thomas, retiring alderman (45)
  • W. Mabon Davies, retiring alderman (44)
  • Thomas Thomas, retiring alderman. (45)
  • Dudley Drummond, from outside the council (48)
  • Professor Jones, retiring alderman (47)
  • C. E. Morris, retiring alderman (43)
  • John Lewis, elected member for Cenarth (40)

Aldermanic vacancies between 1913 and 1919

edit

Both W. Mabon Davies and Professor D.E. Jones died in the months following the election and the appointment of new aldermen in their place took place at the quarterly meeting of the council in late July. Several members objected to aspects of the process, including the perceived lack of aldermen from some parts of the county and the private meetings to decide upon nominations (from which Conservative councillors were said to be excluded). After a prolonged discussion it was decided to postpone the decision on a replacement for Professor Jones.

W. Mabon Davies was replaced by a member who had withdrawn his name at the annual meeting some months previously.[4]

  • W.J. Williams (Liberal), elected member for Quarter Bach

At the October quarterly meeting there was disagreemnet among members for the western division over a replacement for Professor Jones. The successful candidate received 28 votes as opposed to 18 for the Rev. J.H. Rees and 10 for the Rev. Arthur Fuller-Mills of Carmarthen.[5]

  • Ben Evans (Liberal), elected member for Rhydymcerau

By-elections between 1913 and 1919

edit

Ammanford by-election, 1913

edit

A by-election was held in the Ammanford division in June 1913 following the death of Councillor David Morris, a Liberal councillor. Erne Hewlett, general manager of Ammanford Collieries, and an active Conservative, ran on a non-political basis and won the seat, despite Liberal attempts to make the contest a political one.[6]

Ammanford by-election 1913
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent Erne Hewlett
Liberal David Griffiths Davies
Majority
Turnout
Independent gain from Liberal Swing

Quarter Bach by-election, 1913

edit

A by-election was held in the Quarter Bach division on 5 September 1913 following the elevation of W.J. Williams to the aldermanic bench.[7]

Quarter Bach by-election 1913
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Gwilym Vaughan 430
Liberal D.W. Lewis 252
Majority
Turnout
Liberal hold Swing

References

edit
  1. ^ "County Council Elections. Results of the Contests". Carmarthen Journal. 14 March 1913. p. 7. Retrieved 9 October 2015.
  2. ^ "County Council Nominations". Carmarthen Journal. 7 March 1913. p. 6. Retrieved 9 October 2015.
  3. ^ "Carmarthenshire County Council. Statutory Meeting". Carmarthen Journal. 21 March 1913. p. 6. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
  4. ^ "Carmarthenshire County Council". Carmarthen Journal. 1 August 1913. p. 8. Retrieved 15 March 2023.
  5. ^ "Carmarthenshire County Council". Carmarthen Journal. 31 October 1913. p. 8. Retrieved 15 March 2023.
  6. ^ "Ammanford's Duty". Cambria Daily Leader. 25 June 1913. p. 4. Retrieved 15 March 2023.
  7. ^ "Carmarthenshire County Council by-election". Amman Valley Chronicle. 11 September 1913. p. 5. Retrieved 13 April 2016.