1937 Glamorgan County Council election explained

The sixteenth election to Glamorgan County Council, south Wales, took place in March 1937. It was preceded by the 1934 election and followed, due to the Second World War by the 1946 election.

Overview

Labour's comfortable majority on the council, including the aldermanic bench, remained unchanged.

Boundary changes

There were no boundary changes at this election.

Candidates

Many candidates were returned unopposed.[1]

Contested elections

Labour contested almost every seat on the council, with a significant proportion of candidates returned unopposed.

Of the eleven aldermen retiring at the end of their sixth year term, the ten Labour aldermen all sought re-election while Rev D.H. Williams (Ind) stood down from the Council after over thirty years. Alderman Dorothy Rees (Lab), who was elected for three years to fill a vacancy in 1934, also sought re-election.

Outcome

Labour retained their majority, losing two seats but gaining three.[2]

Results

Barry

Dudley Howe had previously represented Cadoxton and gained the neighbouring Barry ward from Labour. However, Labour won Cadoxton for the first time against the new candidate.

Mountain Ash

The sitting member, the Hon. John Bruce (Ind) stood down and Labour gained the seat without a contest.

Ystrad

Election of Aldermen

In addition to the 66 councillors the council consisted of 22 county aldermen. Aldermen were elected by the council, and served a six-year term. Following the 1937 election, there were eleven Aldermanic vacancies, and the retiring aldermen were all re-elected.[3]

The following retiring aldermen were re-elected:

By-elections

Eleven vacancies were caused by the election of aldermen.

Barry Dock by-election

Labour lost the by-election held following the re-election of Dorothy Rees to the aldermanic bench.[4] The Labour candidate had been elected following Rees's original election as alderman three years previously and at the recent election had unsuccessfully contested the neighbouring Barry ward.

Port Talbot by-election

Joe Brown, former agent to Ramsay Macdonald when he was MP for Aberavon, failed to gain the Labour nomination and ran as an Independent.[5]

Tylorstown by-election

Bibliography

Notes and References

  1. News: Nominations for County Council Elections. Many Unopposed Returns in Glamorgan and Gwent.. 4 April 2021 . Western Mail . 16 February 1937. 6.
  2. News: Glamorgan and Gwent Elections. Little Change in Position of Parties.. 8 April 2021 . Western Mail . 2 March 1937. 5.
  3. News: County Councillors's Plea to Boycott "Western Mail". . 20 March 2021 . Western Mail . 19 March 1937 . 12.
  4. News: County Council By-Elections . 20 April 2021 . Western Mail . 20 April 1937 . 10.
  5. News: Councillor J.A. Brown Leaves Labour Party. . 20 April 2021 . Port Talbot Guardian . 14 April 1937 . 1.