1913 Glamorgan County Council election explained

The 1913 Glamorgan County Council election was the ninth contest for seats on this local authority in south Wales. It was preceded by the 1910 election and followed, due to the First World War, by the 1919 election.

Overview of the Result

As in most parts of Wales, the Liberal Party was once again triumphant and won a majority of the seats. The Conservatives made some impact, as did the Labour Party, although in case of the latter there was no sign of a breakthrough.

Boundary Changes

There were no boundary changes at this election.

Contested Elections

49 of the 66 councilors were returned unopposed.[1] Only a small number of those seats that were contested changed hands. In many areas, contests between Liberal and Labour candidates were avoided and the Progressive label widely adopted. The Conservatives gained two seats at Llandeilo Talybont and Llansamlet while Labour lost at both Cwmavon and Ystalyfera. This was counterbalanced by a Labour victory at Pontardawe.[2]

Aberdare and Mountain Ash

All eight members were returned unopposed in the Aberdare Valley and no Labour candidates entered the fray.[3]

Bridgend and Maesteg districts

There were a number of contested elections in this area.

Swansea, Pontardawe and Port Talbot districts

In these areas the Conservatives again performed well, mainly at the expense of the Liberals.

Results

Bridgend

Randall was again returned unopposed, with the Liberals deciding not to oppose him.

Caerphilly

Boundary Change. The previous Caerphilly division was divided.

Hengoed

In this new ward, long-serving alderman David Prosser was defeated.

Kibbor

Henry Lewis again returned after many years.

Llandaff

Robert Forrest held the seat comfortably.

Llwynypia and Clydach

James Evans, grocer, elected following Richard Lewis's election as alderman in 1901, was returned unopposed.

Maesteg, East and West

This was a repeat of the contest three years previously with the same result.

Margam

Having run as an Independent in 1910, narrowly defeating the Labour candidate, the sitting member was returned as a Conservative.

Newcastle

T.J. Hughes, vice-chairman of the county council was returned unopposed.

Ogmore

The ward was renamed Porthcawl. In a close contest a prominent Liberal defeated the former Conservative councillor.

Ogmore Valley

Alderman William Llewellyn was again returned unopposed.

Pentre

E.T. Davies, auctioneer, had been elected at a by-election following Elias Henry Davies's appointment as alderman in 1902. He was now returned unopposed.

Penygraig

Penygraig appears to be a new ward.

Treherbert

Enoch Davies, returned in 1901 following William Morgan's re-election as alderman, was elected unopposed.

Treorchy

Thomas Jones, Co-operative stores manager, was returned unopposed.

Trealaw and Tonypandy

D.W. Davies, the member since 1898, was returned unopposed for the second successive election.

Tylorstown and Ynyshir

Sitting councillor Dr T.H. Morris stood down to allow Alderman W.H. Mathias to be returned unopposed.

Ystrad

Clifford Cory, the member since 1892, was once again returned unopposed.

Election of Aldermen

In addition to the 66 councillors the council consisted of 22 county aldermen. Boundary changes following the secession of Merthyr kept the number of councillors at 66 through the creation of additional wards. The number of aldermen therefore remained unchanged. Aldermen were elected by the council, and served a six-year term. Following the 1910 election, there were twelve Aldermanic vacancies rather than eleven owing to the resignation of John Davies, an alderman elected for a Merthyr ward.

The following aldermen were appointed by the newly elected council.

elected for six yearsThomas, W. M. DavidG. h- Fleming, Rhys 11 airies, Dd. Hughes G. J. Hughes, W. Jones, J. Jordan, Rhys Llew- ellyn, W. Llewellyn, W. H. Matthews, W. M. Williams, and Rev. D. H. Williams.

elected for three years

By-Elections

The following by-elections were held following the election of aldermen.

Bibliography

Notes and References

  1. News: County Councils. Nominations in Glamorgan and Carmarthenshire.. 8 December 2015. Cambria Daily Leader. 1 March 1913. 6.
  2. News: County Councils Elections. Some Surprises.. 8 December 2015. Cambria Daily Leader. 10 March 1913. 2. Details of all contested elections are listed here.
  3. News: Local Election. 22 December 2015. Aberdare Leader. 8 March 1913. 5.