1955 Carmarthenshire County Council election

An election to the Carmarthenshire County Council was held in April 1955.[1] It was preceded by the 1952 election and followed, by the 1958 election.

Overview of the result

After six years under Labour control, the election produced a very close result with 29 Labour candidates, 28 Independents and 2 Plaid Cymru candidates being returned after the contested elections.[1] With the support of the two Plaid Cymru members, the Independents then proceeded to take seven of the eight aldermanic vacancies and to offer the other to the President of Plaid Cymru, Gwynfor Evans with the result that the Independent group regained control of the authority.[2]

Boundary changes

There were no boundary changes at this election.

Retiring aldermen

The aldermen who retired at the election were ...

A number of retiring councilors stood down to allow retiring aldermen to be returned unopposed. These included the members for Kidwelly, Llanelly Division 2, 6 and 7, Pontyberem and Westfa. Four of these members would not be returned to the new council the aldermen were not re-elected. At Llansawel, Alderman David Thomas withdrew rather than face a contest.[3]

Unopposed returns

39 members were returned unopposed, an increase of five compared with 1955.

Contested elections

20 seats were contested. Labour defeats at St Ishmaels and one of the Llanelli wards, to Independents, andat Ammanford, to Plaid Cymru, led to their losing their majority of elected councillors.

A number of retiring aldermen stood as candidates and were returned unopposed.

Summary of results

This section summarises the detailed results which are noted in the following sections.

This table summarises the result of the elections in all wards. 59 councillors were elected.

Carmarthesnhire County Council 1955: elected members
Party Seats Gains Losses Net gain/loss Seats % Votes % Votes +/−
  Labour
  Plaid Cymru
  Independent
Carmarthenshire County Council 1955 : following election of new aldermen
Party Seats Gains Losses Net gain/loss Seats % Votes % Votes +/−
  Labour
  Plaid Cymru
  Independent
Carmarthenshire County Council 1955 : following election of new aldermen and by-elections
Party Seats Gains Losses Net gain/loss Seats % Votes % Votes +/−
  Labour
  Plaid Cymru
  Independent

Ward results

Abergwili
Abergwili 1955
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Independent William John Phillips unopposed
Independent hold Swing

Ammanford No.1
Ammanford No.1 1955
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Labour Haydn Lewis* 724
Ratepayers David Howard Cooke 597
Labour hold Swing

Ammanford No.2
Ammanford No.2 1955
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Plaid Cymru David Samuel Gwynfor Evans 715
Labour Thomas Elias Evans* 684
Plaid Cymru gain from Labour Swing

Berwick
Berwick 1955
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Labour William Isaac Daniel* unopposed
Labour hold Swing

Burry Port East
Burry Port East 1955
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Labour Edward Lewis* unopposed
Labour hold Swing

Burry Port West
Burry Port West 1955
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Labour Labor Dennis* unopposed
Labour hold Swing

Caio
Caio 1955
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Independent Thomas Davies* unopposed
Independent hold Swing

Carmarthen Division 1
Carmarthen Division 1 1955
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Labour G.V. Davies* unopposed
Labour hold Swing

Carmarthen Division 2
Carmarthen Division 2 1955
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Independent J.O. Morgans* unopposed
Independent hold Swing

Carmarthen Division 3
Carmarthen Division 3 1955
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Independent D. Denzil Harries 962
Labour Ellis J. Powell 531
Independent hold Swing

Cenarth
Cenarth 1955
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Independent D.G. James Jones* unopposed
Independent hold Swing

Cilycwm
Cilycwm 1955
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Independent D.I. Lewis* unoppposed
Independent hold Swing

Conwil
Conwil 1955
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Independent W.A. Phillips* unopposed
Independent hold Swing

Cwmamman
Cwmamman 1955
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Labour David Davies* unopposed
Labour hold Swing

Felinfoel
Felinfoel 1955
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Labour Arthur Cledwyn Francis* unopposed
Labour hold Swing

Hengoed
Hengoed 1955
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Labour Edgar S. Samuel* unopposed
Labour hold Swing

Kidwelly
Kidwelly 1955
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Labour J. Amos Jones** unopposed
Labour hold Swing

Laugharne
Laugharne 1955
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Independent Tudor H. Fleming Williams 768
Independent W.G. John* 636
Independent hold Swing

Llanarthney
Llanarthney 1955
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Labour D.M. Davies* unopposed
Labour hold Swing

Llanboidy
Llanboidy 1955
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Independent William Joshua Phillips* unopposed
Independent hold Swing

Llandebie North
Llandebie North 1955
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Labour William Morris* unopposed
Labour hold Swing

Llandebie South
Llandebie South 1955
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Labour Samuel Roberts* unopposed
Labour hold Swing

Llandilo Rural
Llandilo Rural 1955
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Independent David Marlais Humphreys* 866
Independent John Oswald Elfryn Thomas 468
Independent hold Swing

Llandilo Urban
Llandilo Urban 1955
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Independent James Morgan Davies* unopposed
Independent hold Swing

Llandovery
Llandovery 1955
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Independent William J. Davies*
Independent James James 247
Independent hold Swing

Llandyssilio
Llandyssilio 1955
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Independent H.H. Harries* unopposed
Independent hold Swing

Llanedy
Llanedy 1955
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Labour Gwyn Howells* unopposed
Labour hold Swing

Llanegwad
Llanegwad 1955
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Independent Griffith Evans* unopposed
Independent hold Swing

Llanelly Division.1
Llanelly Division.1 1955
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Independent John Zammit 1,521
Labour Rev David Penry Jones* 888
Independent gain from Labour Swing

Llanelly Division 2
Llanelly Division 2 1955
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Labour William T. Griffiths** unopposed
Labour hold Swing

Llanelly Division 3
Llanelly Division 3 1955
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Labour Mrs Claudia R. Rees* unopposed
Labour hold Swing

Llanelly Division 4
Llanelly Division 4 1955
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Labour Mrs Charlotte Hopkins* unopposed
Labour hold Swing

Llanelly Division 5
Llanelly Division 5 1955
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Labour Sidney Lewis* 381
Independent William Gilbert Edmunds 328
Majority
Labour hold Swing

Llanelly Division 6
Llanelly Division 6 1955
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Labour William Douglas Hughes** unopposed
Labour hold Swing

Llanelly Division 7
Llanelly Division 7 1955
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Labour J. Llewellyn Evans** unopposed
Labour hold Swing

Llanelly Division 8
Llanelly Division 8 1955
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Labour George M. McConkey unopposed
Labour hold Swing

Llanelly Division 9
Llanelly Division 8 1955
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Labour Sidney Ivor Thomas* 789
Independent Frederick Howells 724
Labour hold Swing

Llanfihangel Aberbythick
Llanfihangel Aberbythych 1955
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Independent Thomas John Williams* 620
Labour David Ivor James Evans 528
Independent hold Swing

Llanfihangel-ar-Arth
Llanfihangel-ar-Arth 1955
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Independent Ivor Thomas Davies 463
Independent William Harry 229
Independent William Morgan Davies 227
Independent Evan Philip Richards 175
Independent hold Swing

Llangadog
Llangadog 1955
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Plaid Cymru Gwynfor Richard Evans* 585
Independent William Jones 484
Plaid Cymru hold Swing

Llangeler
Llangeler 1955
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Independent John Evans unopposed
Independent gain from Labour Swing

Llangendeirne
Llangendeirne 1955
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Labour Rev R.G. James* unopposed
Labour hold Swing

Llangennech
Llangennech 1955
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Labour John William Boyles* 911
Plaid Cymru Trefor Beasley 352
Labour hold Swing

Llangunnor
Llangunnor 1955
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Independent John Dobson Phelps 916
Independent Thomas Griffiths 155
Independent hold Swing

Llanon
Llanon 1955
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Labour Sidney Jones* unopposed
Labour hold Swing

Llansawel
Llansawel 1955
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Independent John Morgan 312
Independent Daniel Williams* 267
Independent hold Swing

Llanstephan
Llanstephan 1955
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Independent J.H. Davies* unopposed
Independent hold Swing

Llanybyther
Llanybyther 1955
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Independent John Evans 829
Independent Benjamin Edward Davies* 661
Independent hold Swing

Myddfai
Myddfai 1955
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Independent Morgan Lewis Jones* unopposed
Independent hold Swing

Pembrey
Pembrey 1955
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Labour Simon John Elwyn Samuel* unopposed
Labour hold Swing

Pontyberem
Pontyberem 1955
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Labour David John Jones** 1,895
Plaid Cymru David Eirwyn Morgan 407
Labour hold Swing

Quarter Bach
Quarter Bach 1955
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Labour Josiah Jones* unopposed
Labour hold Swing

Rhydcymerau
Rhydcymerau 1955
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Independent David Arthur Evans* 362
Independent Vincent Roy James 228
Independent hold Swing

St Clears
St Clears 1955
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Independent T.E. Williams* unopposed
Independent hold Swing

St Ishmaels
St Ishmaels 1955
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Independent Morgan Thomas Evans 763
Labour Trevor Rhys Morris* 689
Independent gain from Labour Swing

Trelech
Trelech 1955
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Independent Simon Owen Thomas* unopposed
Independent hold Swing

Trimsaran
Trimsaran 1955
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Labour Samuel T. Hughes* 533
Independent Labour William Daniel Evans 415
Independent Labour William Williams 256
Labour hold Swing

Westfa
Westfa 1955
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Labour Emrys Aubrey** unopposed
Labour hold Swing

Whitland
Whitland 1955
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Independent William Hughes Mathias* unopposed
Independent hold Swing

Election of aldermen

In addition to the 59 councillors the council consisted of 19 county aldermen. Aldermen were elected by the council, and served a six-year term. Following the elections, seven of the ten aldermanic vacancies were taken by the Independents and an eighth by Gwynfor Evans of Plaid Cymru, whose two representatives aligned with the Independents to guarantee their majority.[2]

  • J.M. Davies, Independent
  • Thomas Davies, Independent
  • Griffith Evans, Independent
  • Gwynfor R. Evans, Plaid Cymru
  • W.H. Mathias, Independent
  • J.O. Morgans, Independent
  • S.O. Thomas, Independent
  • T.J. Williams, Independent
  • Emrys Aubrey, Labour
  • W. Douglas Hughes, Labour

By-elections

Following the selection of aldermen the following by-elections were held.[4]

Caio by-election
Caio by-election 1955
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Independent Thomas Rees Griffiths 302
Independent Thomas Davies 301
Labour David John Jenkins 245
Independent hold Swing

Carmarthen Division 2 by-election
Carmarthen Division 2 by-election 1955
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Independent David Mansel Thomas 762
Labour John Brynmor Jones 530
Independent hold Swing

Llandeilo Urban by-election
Llandeilo Urban by-election 1955
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Independent Marie Ann Lewis 590
Labour John Oswald Elfryn Thomas 358
Independent hold Swing

Llanegwad by-election
Llanegwad by-election 1955
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Independent Thomas Llewellyn Griffiths 534
Independent Henry Thomas 501
Independent hold Swing

Llanelly Division 6 by-election
Llanelly Division 6 by-election 1955
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Labour W.J. Davies* unopposed
Labour hold Swing

Llanfihangel Aberbythych by-election
Llanfihangel Aberbythych by-election 1955
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Independent David Ivor James Evans 638
Labour Thomas Peregrine 438
Independent hold Swing

Llangadog by-election
Llangadog by-election 1955
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Independent David Thomas Williams 561
Independent William Jones 534
Independent gain from Plaid Cymru Swing

Trelech by-election
Trelech by-election 1955
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Independent Stephen Davies 377
Independent David Trevor Davies 356
Independent John William Bowen 286
Independent hold Swing

Westfa by-election
Westfa by-election 1955
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Labour W.J.F. Thomas* unopposed
Labour hold Swing

Whitland by-election
Whitland by-election 1955
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Independent John Ivor Davies 494
Independent William Sandbrook Cole 492
Independent William Stephen Richards 168
Independent hold Swing
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References
  1. "County Council Elections". Carmarthen Journal. 8 April 1955.
  2. "Independents Get Aldermanic Majority". Carmarthen Journal. 22 April 1955.
  3. "County Council Nominations". Carmarthen Journal. 25 March 1955.
  4. "County Council by-elections". Carmarthen Journal. 24 June 1955.
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