1945–1972 Carmarthen Borough Council elections

English council elections 1919–1939 Carmarthen Borough Council elections Carmarthen Borough Council was a local authority created by the 1835 Municipal Corporations Act and replaced the ancient borough that had existed since medieval times. The Council consisted of 24 members, eighteen of whom were elected councillors and the remaining six were aldermen. The councillors were elected on a triennial cycle, with a third of councillors retiring each year. Aldermen were elected for a six-year term from within the council membership. During the period between 1919 and 1939, the Council had an Independent majority but with Labour candidates gaining ground. 1945 Carmarthen Borough Council election At the first post-war election, held a few months after the armistice, nine seats were contested after half the council membership along with three aldermen stood down. Three sitting members were defeated, including William Henry Evans, a retiring alderman and a member sonce 1929.Municipal Elections. West Wales Results. https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0004015/19451109/001/0001?browse=False 11 December 2024 Welshman 9 November 1945 1 Eastern Ward (five seats) Eastern Ward 1945 Labour Party (UK) David Owen** 2,382 Labour Party (UK) Herbert Morgan* 1,894 Labour Party (UK) G.V. Davies 1,469 Independent (politician) John Treharne 1,440 Independent (politician) H.E. Ellis* 1,435 Independent (politician) Alice K. White 1,419 Labour Party (UK) William Henry Evans** 1,398 Labour Party (UK) T.J. Thomas 1,245 Independent (politician) D. Morgan 577 Western Ward (four seats) Western Ward 1945 Independent (politician) John Verdi Jenkins 1,337 Labour Party (UK) W.D. Jones* 1,305 Independent (politician) William Jones** 998 British Legion D.H. Davies 973 Independent (politician) T.H. Lewis* 935 Labour Party (UK) D.O. John 928 Labour Party (UK) W.C. Ferman 903 Labour Party (UK) G.W. Ralphs 787 Independent (politician) W.J. Lovell* 607 Independent (politician) E.J. Davies 603 By-elections At the statutory meeting on 9 November, John Jenkins was invested as the first Labour mayor of Carmarthen. Enoch Davies, Thomas Davies and Herbert Morgan were elected aldermen.Mayor-Making. Carmarthen Ceremony. https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0004015/19451116/001/0001 13 December 2024 Welshman 9 November 1945 1 At the ensuing by-elections, Independent candidates headed the poll in both wards but William Henry Evans won back the seat he lost at the recent election. The election was also notable for the fact that a Communist candidate stood and gained over 600 votes.Independent Successes. Carmarthen By-Election Results. https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0004015/19451207/001/0001?browse=False 11 September 2024 Welshman 1 December 1935 1 Eastern Ward by-election (two seats) Eastern Ward by-election 1945 Independent (politician) Alice K. White 1,397 Labour Party (UK) William Henry Evans 1,014 Labour Party (UK) T.J. Thomas 828 Communist Party of Great Britain E. Harries 696 Western Ward by-election (one seat) Western Ward by-election 1945 Independent (politician) D. Stanley Davies 1,627 Labour Party (UK) B.O. John 778 1946 Carmarthen Borough Council election A slate of Labour candidates challenged the Indepednents at this election. Carmarthen Municipal Elections. Socialists Select Candidates. https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0004015/19461004/001/0001?browse=False 5 February 2025 Welshman 4 October 1946 1 Three sitting Independents stood down, including J. Islwyn Davies, a member since 1930, and there was an additional vacancy in the Eastern Ward following the resignation of H.E. Ellis, who had moved to Brecon. Municipal Election. Carmarthen Nominations. https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0004015/19461025/001/0001 5 February 2025 Welshman 25 October 1946 1 Labour won an additional two seats, including the first Labour woman member. The successful Independents included former mayor Thomas Lloyd, a member since 1920. Municipal Election. Socialists Gain Two Seats at Carmarthen. https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0004015/19461108/001/0001?browse=False 5 February 2025 Welshman 8 November 1946 1 Eastern Ward (four seats) Eastern Ward 1946 Labour Party (UK) John Jenkins* 1,949 Independent (politician) D.H. Jones* 1,675 Labour Party (UK) Thomas J. Thomas 1,213 Labour Party (UK) Nancy Jeffreys-Jones 1,132 Independent (politician) J.J. Lewis 1,073 Independent (politician) Gordon Selby Davies 1,069 Labour Party (UK) J.E. Hughes 947 Independent (politician) David Morgan 819 Western Ward (three seats) Western Ward 1946 Independent (politician) Charles W. Griffiths 1,625 Independent (politician) Thomas Lloyd* 1,455 Independent (politician) Cliff C. Davies 1,079 Labour Party (UK) E.F. Bennett 711 Labour Party (UK) Ivor M. Morris 676 Independent (politician) R.P. Jones 649 1947 Carmarthen Borough Council election In addition to the six seats which were up for election a seventh vacancy was created due to the elevation of D.H. Jones to the aldermanic bench.Seven Vacant Seats at Carmarthen https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000104/19471023/031/0003 26 April 2024 Western Mail 23 October 1947 3 The Independents won a seat from Labour in the Eastern Ward while the reverse happened in the Western Ward, leaving the composition of the Council unchanged.Anti-Socialist Net Gain in Wales: 22. https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000104/19471103/001/0001 26 April 2024 Western Mail 3 November 1947 3 The two defeated retiring members were G.V. Davies (Labour) and D.H. Davies (British Legion), the latter had originally been selected as an Independent.Carmarthen Municipal Elections. Two Old Members Defeated. https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0004015/19471107/001/0001?browse=False 12 February 2025 Welshman 7 November 1947 1 Eastern Ward (four seats) Eastern Ward 1947 Independent (politician) John D. Treharne* 1,540 Independent (politician) Gordon Selby Davies 1,471 Independent (politician) John J. Lewis 1,389 Labour Party (UK) Nancy Jeffreys-Jones* 1,376 Labour Party (UK) George V. Davies* 1,342 Labour Party (UK) Ivor M. Morris 978 Labour Party (UK) A.P. Thomas 794 Western Ward (three seats) Western Ward 1947 Independent (politician) John Owen Morgans* 1,570 Independent (politician) William Jones* 1,271 Labour Party (UK) Dr A.M. Spencer 1,256 British Legion D.H. Davies* 1,021 Labour Party (UK) E. Bennett 771 Independent (politician) William Davies 592 1949 Carmarthen Borough Council election No election was held in 1948 following a decision to move the annual election from November to April. Shortly after the closure of nominations, the election in the Eastern Ward was postponed following the death of the borough sherriff, David Stanley Davies, who was one of the candidates.Election Postponed. Carmarthen (Western Ward) Position. https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0004015/19490506/001/0001?browse=False 27 May 2025 Welshman 6 May 1949 1 1950 Carmarthen Borough Council election Nine candidates contested the six vacancies across the two wards. Labour gained one seat from the Independents.Municipal Elections https://britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002956/19500519/001/0001 1 Carmarthen Journal 19 May 1950 Eastern Ward (five seats) Eastern Ward 1950 Independent (politician) C. Dathan Davies 1,948 Labour Party (UK) Thomas J. Thomas* 1,440 Independent (politician) Alice K. White 1,343 Labour Party (UK) T. Idwal Jones 1,181 Western Ward (four seats) Western Ward 1950 Independent (politician) Charles W. Griffiths* 1,436 Labour Party (UK) John H, Evans 972 Independent (politician) Cliff C. Davies* 897 Independent (politician) Margaret M. Mitchell 854 Independent (politician) D.H. Davies* 843 1951 Carmarthen Borough Council election Twelve candidates contested the six vacancies across the two wards.Independents Lose Seat. Carmarthen Municipal Election. https://britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002956/19510518/005/0005 29 April 2024 Carmarthen Journal 18 May 1951 5 Eastern Ward (three seats) Eastern Ward 1951 Independent (politician) Sidney Jeremy 1,636 Labour Party (UK) T. Idwal Jones* 1,515 Independent (politician) J.J. Lewis* 1,299 Independent (politician) Gordon Selby Davies* 1,205 Labour Party (UK) J.M. Harding 865 Western Ward (three seats) Western Ward 1951 Labour Party (UK) Ellis J. Powell 1,148 Independent (politician) Denzil Harries 1,101 Independent (politician) William Edwards* 990 Independent (politician) W.D. Jones 930 Independent (politician) William Jones* 919 Independent (politician) Marjorie Mitchell 871 Independent (politician) D.H. Davies 415 1952 Carmarthen Borough Council election Nine candidates contested the six vacancies, with five Labour candidates being successful.Carmarthen Journal Election 16 May 1952 Eastern Ward (three seats) Eastern Ward 1952 Labour Party (UK) David Owen* 1,892 Labour Party (UK) C.C. Jones* 1,627 Labour Party (UK) Herbert Morgan* 1,518 Independent (politician) Gordon Selby Davies 1,280 Independent (politician) Marjorie Mitchell 956 Western Ward (three seats) Western Ward 1952 Labour Party (UK) M.E. Clifford Jones* 1,909 Labour Party (UK) W.D. Jones* 1,510 Independent (politician) W.D. Jones 1,149 Independent (politician) L.G. Rees 838 Following the elevation of three councillors to the aldermanic bench, by-elections were held. Retiring alderman David Howell Jones, a member of the council for seventeen years, but who did not contest the recent election, was among those returned.Election Carmarthen Journal 4 July 1952 Eastern Ward by-election (two seats) Eastern Ward 1952 Independent (politician) Gordon Selby Davies 1,252 Independent (politician) David Howell Jones* 1,107 Labour Party (UK) John Miles Harries 821 Western Ward by-election (one seat) Western Ward 1952 Labour Party (UK) Elwyn John 893 Independent (politician) George Leonard Rees 823 1953 Carmarthen Borough Council election For the first time since the Second World War there was an unopposed return in a municipal election as the Western Ward was not contested.Municipal Elections Carmarthen Journal 24 April 1953 Ex-servicemen candidates (Wynford Davies and R.C. Hopkins) were elected in each ward.Municipal Elections Carmarthen Journal 15 May 1953 Eastern Ward (three seats) Eastern Ward 1953 Independent (politician) R.C. Hopkins 1,339 Independent (politician) John Murray 1,290 Independent (politician) Alice K. White* 1,136 Labour Party (UK) Ivor Morris 1,126 Western Ward (three seats) Western Ward 1953 Independent (politician) Wynford Davies Labour Party (UK) John H. Evans* Independent (politician) M. Marjorie Mitchell 1954 Carmarthen Borough Council election For the second successive year, there was no contest in the Western Ward after sitting member William Edwards (who had lost his seat on Carmarthenshire County Council in 1952) chose not to seek re-election.Municipal Elections Carmarthen Journal 30 April 1954 After a contest in the Eastern Ward the composition of the council remained at 14 Independents (including two elected as Ex-Servicemen) and 10 Labour members.Municipal Elections Carmarthen Journal 21 May 1954 Eastern Ward (three seats) Eastern Ward 1954 Independent (politician) John James Lewis* 1,542 Independent (politician) Sidney Jeremy* 1,532 Labour Party (UK) T. Idwal Jones* 1,275 Independent (politician) T. Keble Morgan 1,216 Labour Party (UK) William Colvin 983 Western Ward (three seats) Western Ward 1954 Independent (politician) D. Denzil Harries Independent (politician) David Thomas Jenkins Labour Party (UK) Ellis J. Powell* 1955 Carmarthen Borough Council election For the first time in the post-war period there was no contested election at Carmarthen as six candidates were returned unopposed. These included Charlie Griffiths who resigned from the aldermanic bench in order to be returned as a councillor.Carmarthen Journal Carmarthen Town Council 29 April 1955 Eastern Ward (three seats) Eastern Ward 1955 Independent (politician) Gordon Selby Davies* 1,280 Labour Party (UK) C.C. Jones* 1,627 Labour Party (UK) Herbert Morgan* 1,518 Western Ward (three seats) Western Ward 1952 Independent (politician) C.W. Griffiths** 1,149 Labour Party (UK) Elwyn John 1,510 Labour Party (UK) M.E. Clifford Jones* 1,909 Following the elevation of three councillors to the aldermanic bench, by-elections were held. Two Labour candidates were returned unopposed but retiring alderman J.O. Morgans, a member of the council for 36 years, faced a tough contest to retain his seat.Carmarthen Town Council Carmarthen Journal 24 June 1955 Eastern Ward (two seats) Eastern Ward 1955 by-election Labour Party (UK) William Colvin 1,252 Labour Party (UK) Ivor Morris 1,107 Western Ward (one seat) Western Ward 1955 by-election Independent (politician) J.O. Morgans** 954 Independent (politician) T. Keble Morgan 754 1956 Carmarthen Borough Council election The Western Ward was uncontested for the second consecutive year. In the contested Eastern Ward, Labour gained a seat from the Independents.Borough results https://britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0000104/19560511/085/0005?browse=False 1 May 2024 Western Mail 11 May 1956 5 Eastern Ward (three seats) Eastern Ward 1953 Independent (politician) John Murray* 1,056 Independent (politician) Alice K. White* 887 Labour Party (UK) T.H. Gwynne Davies 875 Independent (politician) R.C. Hopkins* 831 Labour Party (UK) Reginald Johns 776 1957 Carmarthen Borough Council election On this occasion there was no contest in the Eastern Ward and the three sitting members were returned unopposed.Carmarthen Borough Council Carmarthen Journal 26 April 1957 In the Western Ward a sitting Independent member was defeated by another Independent.Municipal Election Carmarthen Journal 17 May 1957 Eastern Ward (three seats) Eastern Ward 1957 Independent (politician) Sidney Jeremy* 1,532 Labour Party (UK) T. Idwal Jones* 1,275 Labour Party (UK) Ivor Morris* 983 Western Ward (three seats) Western Ward 1957 Independent (politician) D. Denzil Harries 1,209 Independent (politician) T.Ll. Jones 1,190 Labour Party (UK) Ellis J. Powell* 1,028 Independent (politician) David Thomas Jenkins* 913 1959 Carmarthen Borough Council election Both wards were contested with a total of thirteen candidates. Two vacancies in the Eastern Ward resulted in a total of eight councillors being elected, amounting to almost half the number of elected members. The Ratepayers Association ran a slate of candidates; three of whom were elected.The Poll. How Welsh Towns Voted. https://britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0000104/19590508/162/0011?browse=False 1 May 2024 Western Mail 8 May 1959 11 Eastern Ward (five seats) Eastern Ward 1959 Labour Party (UK) R.E. Rees* 1,744 Labour Party (UK) T.H. Gwynne Davies 1,709 Labour Party (UK) J.D. Davies 1,580 Labour Party (UK) D.C.H. Pullen 1,540 Ratepayers Association Mrs V.M. Chapman 1,432 Ratepayers Association J.A. Hillman 1,377 Labour Party (UK) J. McMeel 1,307 Ratepayers Association R. Summers 1,232 Western Ward (three seats) Western Ward 1953 Independent (politician) Wynford Davies* 1,211 Ratepayers Association Thomas McCall 975 Ratepayers Association Leslie H. Howells 906 Labour Party (UK) D. Norman Richards 762 Independent (politician) M. Marjorie Mitchell* 685 References Category:Carmarthen District Council elections