1973 Gwent County Council election

1973 Welsh local government election April 2022 The 1973 Gwent County Council election was held on Thursday 12 April 1973 to elect councillors to the new Gwent County Council, governing the new county of Gwent, Wales. It took place on the same day as other county council elections in the United Kingdom. These were the first elections to the new county council, which would come into effect on 1 April 1974. Future elections would take place every four years, with the next one scheduled for April 1977. The 1973 election saw the Labour Party win a strong majority on the Council. Background Gwent was created following local government reorganisation enacted by the Local Government Act 1972. It covered the area of Monmouthshire and Newport County Borough, which would be transferred from England to Wales in 1974. The 1973 elections were the first to the new local authorities, with councillors acting in a shadow capacity until 1 April 1974 when the new councils took full effect.Echo Survey - on the great unknowns South Wales Echo 3 April 1973 6 These are the most important local elections in living memory. This year for the first time every council will be elected together. Formerly one-third came up for election each year ... For the year following the elections the new councils will gradually take over from the old ones. Then, when the year is up, the old councils will meet for the last time and the new ones take full responsibility. Because aldermen, who at present make up a quarter of the county and county borough councils, are to be abolished several of those now serving will have to contest elections if they want a seat on the new councils ... The position of alderman on the local authorities was abolished, with all members of the new councils being elected ward councillors. Overview of the result Seventy-eight Gwent County Council seats in 66 electoral wards were up for election in April 1973. Labour overall increased its presence in comparison with the old councils, though there were some close battles between Labour, the Liberals and Independents in some wards.Dad gets her vote - but he still loses seat - Gwent (results) South Wales Echo 13 April 1973 8 In Cwmbran Labour did not fare so well, with an Independent and a Ratepayer candidate winning seats, and the Conservatives polling strongly. Gwent County Council election result 1973 Labour Party (UK) 59 N/A 75.6 N/A Conservative Party (UK) 12 N/A 15.3 N/A Liberal Party (UK) 3 N/A 3.8 N/A Plaid Cymru 1 N/A 1.2 N/A Communist Party of Great Britain 0 N/A 0.0 1,185 N/A Ratepayers 2 N/A 2.5 N/A Independent politician 1 N/A 1.2 N/A |} Ward results Contests took place in 49 wards, with candidates in seventeen of the wards being elected unopposed.South Wales Echo (13 April 1973) results page also provides some middle initials of candidates, also indicating which candidates are femaleGwent County Council Election Results 1973-1993 http://www.electionscentre.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Gwent-County-1973-1993.pdf The Elections Centre (Plymouth University) 14 September 2019 Aberbeeg and Six Bells (1 seat) Aberbeeg and Six Bells ward 1973 Plaid Cymru I. Lewis 1,415 Labour Party (UK) H. Snellgrove 1,295 58.8 n/a 4,608 Abercarn and Cwmcarn (1 seat) Abercarn and Cwmcarn ward 1973 Labour Party (UK) D. J. Williams Abergavenny Cantref and Grofield (1 seat) Abergavenny Cantref and Grofield ward 1973 Conservative Party (UK) R. Smith 947 Labour Party (UK) P. Stockham 522 39.2 n/a 3,745 Abergavenny Castle and Priory (1 seat) Abergavenny Castle and Priory ward 1973 Conservative Party (UK) P. Williams 1,000 Labour Party (UK) J. Pardoe-James 904 56.4 n/a 3,376 Abersychan Central (1 seat) Abersychan Central ward 1973 Labour Party (UK) G. Smith 891 Communist Party of Great Britain G. Williams 222 48.6 n/a 2,288 Abersychan North (1 seat) Abersychan North ward 1973 Labour Party (UK) Gertrude Morgan 891 Communist Party of Great Britain G. Mills 794 57.8 n/a 2.916 Abertillery (1 seat) AbertillerySouth Wales Echo (13 April 1973) gives the ward name as "Abertillery No. 2" ward 1973 Labour Party (UK) R. G. Owen Alexandra (1 seat) AlexandraSouth Wales Echo (13 April 1973) gives the ward name as "Newport Alexandra" (per the town's Alexandra Dock area) but the Election Centre calls it "Alexander" (Newport) ward 1973 Labour Party (UK) R. Jones 1,067 Plaid Cymru D. Hughes 308 49.1 n/a 2,802 Allt-yr-yn (1 seat) Allt-yr-yn (Newport) ward 1973 Conservative Party (UK) S. Miller 1,464 Liberal Party (UK) D. Owen 778 Labour Party (UK) S. Seaman 343 48.2 n/a 5,360 Alway (2 seats) Alway (Newport)South Wales Echo (13 April 1973) gives the ward name as "Newport, Alway" ward 1973 Labour Party (UK) J. Turner 1,718 Labour Party (UK) R. Murray 1,439 Conservative Party (UK) T. Tranter 951 Conservative Party (UK) (Mrs) D. Griffiths 856 Liberal Party (UK) H. Clark 834 53.3 n/a 6,569 Bassaleg and Marshfield (1 seat) Bassaleg and Marshfield ward 1973 Conservative Party (UK) P. Grimmer 1,027 Labour Party (UK) T. Lewis 638 Liberal Party (UK) I. Wasgett 401 46.2 n/a 4,474 Bedwellty No. 2 Pengam (1 seat) PengamSouth Wales Echo (13 April 1973) gives the ward name as simply "Bedwellty No. 2", though the Election Centre adds "Pengam" ward 1973 Labour Party (UK) G. Jenkins Bedwellty No. 3 Argoed and Cefn Fforest (1 seat) Argoed and Cefn FforestSouth Wales Echo (13 April 1973) gives the ward name as "Bedwellty No. 3" though the Election Centre shows Mrs Lloyd as being elected to "Argoed and Cefn Fforest" ward 1973 Labour Party (UK) (Mrs) O. G. Lloyd Beechwood (2 seats) Beechwood (Newport)South Wales Echo (13 April 1973) gives the ward name as "Newport, Beechwood" ward 1973 Labour Party (UK) J. Marsh 1,322 Liberal Party (UK) (Mrs) W. Crowther 1,143 Labour Party (UK) G. Purnell 1,081 Conservative Party (UK) T. Elliot 975 Conservative Party (UK) W. Wright 812 Plaid Cymru G. Lee 308 62.9 n/a 5,961 Bettws (1 seat) Bettws (Newport)South Wales Echo (13 April 1973) gives the ward name as "Newport Bettws" ward 1973 Labour Party (UK) J. Morgan Blackwood (1 seat) Blackwood ward 1973 Labour Party (UK) D. Bosley Blaenavon (1 seat) Blaenavon ward 1973 Labour Party (UK) D. Puddle 1,568 Ratepayer W. Arnold 1,481 Independent politician W. Edwards South Wales Echo (13 April 1973) describes "W. Edwards" as "Independent" though Elections Centre describes "N. Edwards" as "Democratic Labour" 209 63.4 n/a 5,137 Brynmawr (1 seat) Brynmawr ward 1973 Labour Party (UK) E. Fenton 1,756 Plaid Cymru R. Williams 737 Conservative Party (UK) V. Jones 535 68.8 n/a 4,399 Caerleon (1 seat) Caerleon ward 1973 Labour Party (UK) J. Kirkwood 1,274 Plaid Cymru (Mrs) L. Lewis 952 Liberal Party (UK) R. Zeal 498 Caerwent (1 seat) Caerwent ward 1973 Labour Party (UK) S. Baldwin 1,203 Conservative Party (UK) L. Horton 1,169 Caldicot (1 seat) Caldicot ward 1973 Labour Party (UK) G. Powell 1,917 Conservative Party (UK) M. Shirington 772 Central (1 seat) Central (Newport)South Wales Echo (13 April 1973) gives the ward name as "Newport Central" ward 1973 Labour Party (UK) A. Hames 1,276 Conservative Party (UK) C. Courtney 653 Chepstow (1 seat) Chepstow ward 1973 Labour Party (UK) A. O'Neill 1,240 Plaid Cymru E. Spanswick South Wales Echo (13 April 1973) results page lists Spanswick as the "Plaid Cymru/Common Market Referendum" candidate 219 Crickhowell and Llanelly Parish (1 seat) Crickhowell and Llanelly ParishSouth Wales Echo (13 April 1973) gives the ward name as "Crickhowell" ward 1973 Labour Party (UK) J. Jones 622 Independent politician T. Thomas 491 Independent politician William Morris 375 Crucorny Fawr and Llantilio Pertholey (1 seat) Crucorny Fawr and Llantilio PertholeySouth Wales Echo (13 April 1973) gives the ward name as "Crucorny Fawr and Llantilio" while Elections Centre says "Crucorny Fawr & Llantilio Pertho" (though this will refer to Llantilio Pertholey) ward 1973 Conservative Party (UK) J. Davies 940 Labour Party (UK) E. Blour 567 Crumlin (1 seat) Crumlin ward 1973 Labour Party (UK) A. E. England Cwmbran Central and Llantarnam (1 seat) Cwmbran Central and Llantarnam ward 1973 Labour Party (UK) Oliver James 1,263 Independent politician D. Miles 831 Cwmtillery (1 seat) Cwmtillery ward 1973 Labour Party (UK) T. Mytton Ebbw Vale, Badminton, Beaufort and N Central Ebbw Vale, Badminton, Beaufort and North CentralSouth Wales Echo (13 April 1973) gives the full ward name as "Ebbw Vale, Badminton, Beaufort and North Central" and Election Centre name appears to be abbreviated ward 1973 Labour Party (UK) F. Watley 1,771 Ratepayer W. Jones 1,723 Ratepayer A. Pope 1,689 Labour Party (UK) K. Barnes 1,665 Plaid Cymru J. Evans 1,231 Ebbw Vale Central, Cwm and South Central Ebbw Vale Central, Cwm and South CentralSouth Wales Echo (13 April 1973) gives the full ward name as "Ebbw Vale Central, Cwm and South Central" and Election Centre name appears to be abbreviated ward 1973 Labour Party (UK) J. Rogers 3,792 Labour Party (UK) R. Morgan 3,667 Labour Party (UK) P. Cross 3,070 Ratepayer A. O'Donovan 2,965 Ratepayer M. Jones 2,357 Plaid Cymru D. Kerwick 1,937 Fairwater and Henllys (1 seat) Fairwater and Henllys ward 1973 Labour Party (UK) R. Wellington 1,319 Communist Party of Great Britain D. Clarke 169 Langstone (1 seat) Langstone (Newport) ward 1973 Conservative Party (UK) D. Duthie 1,227 Labour Party (UK) J. Murphy 855 Llanfoist and Llanover (1 seat) Llanfoist and Llanover ward 1973 Conservative Party (UK) C. Williams 1,143 Labour Party (UK) H. Gail 712 Llanfrechfa Lower (2 seats) Llanfrechfa Lower ward 1973 Labour Party (UK) M. Thomas 2,114 Labour Party (UK) R. Hill 1,968 Conservative Party (UK) N. Davies 1,346 Conservative Party (UK) D. Chappell 1,298 Independent politician F. Hole 601 Llanhilleth (1 seat) Llanhilleth ward 1973 Labour Party (UK) R. Rice Lliswerry (2 seats) LliswerrySouth Wales Echo (13 April 1973) gives the ward name as "Newport Liswerrry" while the Election Centre calls it "Lliswerry" (Newport) ward 1973 Labour Party (UK) R. Lloyd 1,527 Labour Party (UK) H. Herbert 1,422 Conservative Party (UK) J. Maynard Election Centre has repeated the losing Malpas ward Conservative candidates here, but South Wales Echo (13 April 1973) gives the Lliswerry losing candidates as J. Maynard and E. Di Villa 1,010 Conservative Party (UK) E. Di Villa 842 Malpas (1 seat) MalpasSouth Wales Echo (13 April 1973) gives the ward name as "Newport Malpas" (Newport) ward 1973 Labour Party (UK) K. James 1,864 Labour Party (UK) M. Lewis 1,754 Conservative Party (UK) D. Jewett 1,177 Conservative Party (UK) M. Bellew 1,128 Monmouth (1 seat) Monmouth ward 1973 Conservative Party (UK) J. Lewis 1,363 Labour Party (UK) T. Flynn 757 Mynyddislwyn Penmaen (1 seat) Mynyddislwyn Penmaen ward 1973 Labour Party (UK) S. Lloyd Nantyglo and Blaina Central and South (1 seat) Nantyglo and Blaina Central and South ward 1973 Labour Party (UK) K. Jayne 1,909 Independent politician W. Chard 1,418 Nantyglo and Blaina North (1 seat) Nantyglo and Blaina North ward 1973 Labour Party (UK) P. Abraham Newbridge (1 seat) Newbridge ward 1973 Labour Party (UK) T. Matthews Old Cwmbran (1 seat) Old Cwmbran ward 1973 Independent politician Derrick Rex 784 Labour Party (UK) B. Smith 737 Councillor Rex was a credit company agent and had been a member of Cwmbran Urban Council for 16 years. Panteg East (1 seat) Panteg East ward 1973 Labour Party (UK) James D. Touhig 1,683 Independent politician C. Irving 932 This was local newspaper reporter Don Touhig's first ever election, which he won by over 700 votes. Panteg West (1 seat) Panteg West ward 1973 Labour Party (UK) A. Skuse Pontllanfraith (1 seat) Pontllanfraith ward 1973 Labour Party (UK) B. Chicken Pontnewydd (1 seat) Pontnewydd ward 1973 Ratepayer P. Pritchard 973 Labour Party (UK) P. Maplestone 537 Councillor Pritchard was General Secretary of the Monmouthshire Federation of Ratepayers. Pontnewydd North (1 seat) Pontnewydd North ward 1973 Labour Party (UK) S. Ball Pontnewydd South (1 seat) Pontnewydd South ward 1973 Labour Party (UK) E. Gibson 448 Plaid Cymru E. Palmer 312 Pontypool (1 seat) Pontypool ward 1973 Labour Party (UK) P. Strickland 671 Plaid Cymru P. Palmer 151 Ringland (2 seats) Ringland (Newport)South Wales Echo (13 April 1973) gives the ward name as "Newport Ringland" ward 1973 Labour Party (UK) I. Card Labour Party (UK) F. Edwards Risca Central (1 seat) Risca Central ward 1973 Labour Party (UK) E. Griffiths 918 Independent politician D. Rees 160 Risca North (1 seat) Risca North ward 1973 Labour Party (UK) A. West 1,022 Progressive IndependentSouth Wales Echo (13 April 1973) describes Bevan as a 'Progressive Independent' M. Bevan 473 Risca South (1 seat) Risca South ward 1973 Labour Party (UK) E. Bendall 1,579 Independent politician R. Webster 877 Rogerstone (1 seat) Rogerstone ward 1973 Labour Party (UK) D. Scrivens 1,178 Independent politician G. Howell 939 Shaftesbury (2 seats) Shaftesbury (Newport)South Wales Echo (13 April 1973) gives the ward name as "Newport Shaftesbury" ward 1973 Labour Party (UK) E. Bosley 1,574 Conservative Party (UK) D. Davies 839 Shirenewton and Tintern (1 seat) Shirenewton and Tintern ward 1973 Conservative Party (UK) I. Heath 1,192 Labour Party (UK) A. Huntley 402 Ratepayer D. Millard 286 St Julians (2 seats) St Julians (Newport)South Wales Echo (13 April 1973) gives the ward name as "Newport, St. Julians" ward 1973 Labour Party (UK) E. Ovens 1,595 Conservative Party (UK) W. Morris 1,468 Conservative Party (UK) R. Thomas 1,425 Labour Party (UK) R. Soni 1,387 St Woolos (2 seats) St Woolos (Newport)South Wales Echo (13 April 1973) gives the ward name as "Newport, St. Woolos" ward 1973 Labour Party (UK) J. Pembridge 1,884 Labour Party (UK) L. Turnbull 1,729 Liberal Party (UK) D. Hando 1,364 Tredegar Central and West (1 seat) Tredegar Sirhowy ward 1973 Liberal Party (UK) Angus Donaldson 2,172 Labour Party (UK) William Harry 1,856 Bill Harry had been one of four Monmouthshire county councillors in Tredegar for 13 years, but Gwent County Council would only have three Tredegar county councillors, with Harry being the loser against Angus Donaldson who was a sitting Liberal Monmouthshire councillor for Tredegar. Tredegar Georgetown (1 seat) Tredegar Georgetown ward 1973 Labour Party (UK) W. Price 925 Liberal Party (UK) A. Holley 663 Independent politician L. Perriam 143 Tredegar Sirhowy (1 seat) Tredegar Sirhowy ward 1973 Liberal Party (UK) Douglas Thomas 1,425 Labour Party (UK) Oliver Williams 1,383 Councillor Thomas won after a recount. Upper Cwmbran (1 seat) Upper Cwmbran ward 1973 Labour Party (UK) D. Price 745 Independent politician J. Price 273 Usk and Pontypool Rural (1 seat) Usk and Pontypool Rural ward 1973 Conservative Party (UK) V. Etheridge 2,033 Labour Party (UK) J. Davies 677 Victoria (1 seat) Victoria (Newport)South Wales Echo (13 April 1973) gives the ward name as "Newport Victoria" ward 1973 Labour Party (UK) Patrick Geraghty 1,333 Conservative Party (UK) Percy Jones 1,075 Percy Jones, an alderman and former major of Newport County Borough had been a council member in Newport for 20 years. Ynysddu (1 seat) Ynysddu ward 1973 Labour Party (UK) R. Evans See also 1972 Newport County Borough Council election Notes References Gwent Category:Council elections in Gwent