1958 Carmarthenshire County Council election

An election to the Carmarthenshire County Council was held in April 1958.[1] It was preceded by the 1955 election and followed, by the 1961 election.

Overview of the result

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A close run election resulted in Labour narrowly regaining control of the authority. The Carmarthen Journal bemoaned the lack of organization amongst the Independents, compared with Labour and referred to the haphazard methods of nomination, particularly in rural areas.[2] Labour took all nine aldermanic vacancies.[3]

Boundary changes

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There were no boundary changes at this election.

Retiring aldermen

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A number of retiring councilors stood down to allow retiring aldermen to be returned unopposed. These included a Plaid Cymru councilor at Ammanford in favour of retiring Labour alderman, John Harries.[4]

Unopposed returns

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There were more unopposed returns than in any previous election, according to one local newspaper.[2] In Llanelli, where many wards had been closely contested at previous county elections, Labour candidates were returned unopposed in all nine divisions. These included the No.1 Ward which had been held by an Independent in the previous council.

Contested elections

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In the few contests that took place very few seats changed hands. In Carmarthen, an Independent councilor was defeated by a Ratepayer candidate.

Summary of results

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59 councillors were elected.

Ward results

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Abergwili

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Abergwili 1958
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent William John Phillips* unopposed
Independent hold Swing

Ammanford No.1

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Ammanford No.1 1958
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Frank Davies** unopposed
Labour hold Swing

Ammanford No.2

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Ammanford No.2 1958
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour John Harries** unopposed
Labour gain from Plaid Cymru Swing

Berwick

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Berwick 1958
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour William Isaac Daniel* unopposed
Labour hold Swing

Burry Port East

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Burry Port East 1958
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Edward Lewis* unopposed
Labour hold Swing

Burry Port West

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Burry Port West 1958
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Labor Dennis* unopposed
Labour hold Swing

Caio

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Caio 1958
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent Thomas Davies 462
Independent Thomas Rees Griffiths* 373
Independent hold Swing
Carmarthen Division 1 1958
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour G.V. Davies* 1,635
Ratepayers R. Turnham 700
Labour hold Swing

Carmarthen Division 2

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Carmarthen Division 2 1958
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent David Mansel Thomas* unopposed
Independent hold Swing

Carmarthen Division 3

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Carmarthen Division 3 1958
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Ratepayers Graham Jones 710
Independent D. Denzil Harries* 508
Labour Tom Hughes Griffiths 363
Ratepayers gain from Independent Swing

Cenarth

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Cenarth 1958
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent D.G. James Jones* unopposed
Independent hold Swing

Cilycwm

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Cilycwm 1958
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent T.H. McQuire* unopposed
Independent hold Swing

Conwil

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Conwil 1958
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent D.J. Richards* unopposed
Independent hold Swing

Cwmamman

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Cwmamman 1958
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Rev. Oswald Rees Davies* unopposed
Labour hold Swing

Felinfoel

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Felinfoel 1958
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Arthur Cledwyn Francis* unopposed
Labour hold Swing

Hengoed

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Hengoed 1958
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour D.J. Stone** 786
Independent J.G. Wilkins 451
Labour hold Swing

Kidwelly

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Kidwelly 1958
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour G.O. Williams 870
Independent Mrs G. Rees 568
Labour hold Swing

Laugharne

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Laugharne 1958
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent Tudor H. Fleming Williams* unopposed
Independent hold Swing

Llanarthney

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Llanarthney 1958
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour W. Edgar Lewis** unopposed
Labour hold Swing

Llanboidy

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Llanboidy 1958
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent William Joshua Phillips* unopposed
Independent hold Swing

Llandebie North

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Llandebie North 1958
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Gwilym R. Thomas** 1,100
Independent Clifford Phillips 717
Labour hold Swing

Llandebie South

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Llandebie South 1958
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Evan Bevan** unopposed
Labour hold Swing

Llandilo Rural

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Llandilo Rural 1958
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent David Marlais Humphreys* 700
Independent G.M. Morris 448
Labour D.L. Small 394
Independent hold Swing

Llandilo Urban

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Llandilo Urban 1958
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent Marie Ann Lewis* 569
Independent John Oswald Elfryn Thomas 339
Independent hold Swing

Llandovery

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Llandovery 1958
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent William J. Davies* unopposed
Independent hold Swing

Llandyssilio

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Llandyssilio 1958
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent H.H. Harries* unopposed
Independent hold Swing

Llanedy

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Llanedy 1958
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Gwyn Howells* unopposed
Labour hold Swing

Llanegwad

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Llanegwad 1958
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent M.I. Griffiths* unopposed
Independent hold Swing

Llanelly Division 1

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Llanelly Division 1 1958
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Dr H.D. Llewellyn unopposed
Labour gain from Independent Swing

Llanelly Division 2

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Llanelly Division 2 1958
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour William T. Griffiths* unopposed
Labour hold Swing

Llanelly Division 3

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Llanelly Division 3 1958
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Mrs Claudia R. Rees* unopposed
Labour hold Swing

Llanelly Division 4

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Llanelly Division 4 1958
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Mrs Loti Rees Hughes* unopposed
Labour hold Swing

Llanelly Division 5

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Llanelly Division 5 1958
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Sidney Lewis* unopposed
Labour hold Swing

Llanelly Division 6

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Llanelly Division 6 1958
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour William J. Davies* unopposed
Labour hold Swing

Llanelly Division 7

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Llanelly Division 7 1958
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour J. Llewellyn Evans* unopposed
Labour hold Swing

Llanelly Division 8

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Llanelly Division 8 1958
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour George M. McConkey* unopposed
Labour hold Swing

Llanelly Division 9

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Llanelly Division 9 1958
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Sidney Ivor Thomas* unopposed
Labour hold Swing

Llanfihangel Aberbythych

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Llanfihangel Aberbythych 1958
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent David Ivor James Evans* 690
Labour Thomas Peregrine 347
Independent hold Swing

Llanfihangel-ar-Arth

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Llanfihangel-ar-Arth 1958
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent Ivor Thomas Davies* unopposed
Independent hold Swing

Llangadog

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Llangadog 1958
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent D.T. Williams* 689
Independent William Jones 379
Independent hold Swing

Llangeler

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Llangeler 1958
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent John Evans unopposed
Independent hold Swing

Llangendeirne

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Llangendeirne 1958
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Rev R.G. James* 981
Independent R.O. Williams 513
Labour hold Swing

Llangennech

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Llangennech 1958
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour John William Boyles* 859
Plaid Cymru Mrs C.E. Beasley 147
Labour hold Swing

Llangunnor

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Llangunnor 1958
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent John Dobson Phelps* unopposed
Independent hold Swing

Llanon

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Llanon 1958
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Sidney Jones* unopposed
Labour hold Swing

Llansawel

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Llansawel 1958
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent John Morgan* unopposed
Independent hold Swing

Llanstephan

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Llanstephan 1958
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent J.H. Davies* unopposed
Independent hold Swing

Llanybyther

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Llanybyther 1958
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent Benjamin Edward Davies* unopposed
Independent hold Swing

Myddfai

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Myddfai 1958
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent Morgan Lewis Jones* unopposed
Independent hold Swing

Pembrey

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Pembrey 1958
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Simon John Elwyn Samuel* unopposed
Labour hold Swing

Pontyberem

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Pontyberem 1958
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour David John Jones* unopposed
Labour hold Swing

Quarter Bach

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Quarter Bach 1958
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Josiah Jones* unopposed
Labour hold Swing

Rhydcymerau

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Rhydcymerau 1958
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent David Arthur Evans* unopposed
Independent hold Swing

St Clears

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St Clears 1958
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent T.E. Williams* unopposed
Independent hold Swing

St Ishmaels

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St Ishmaels 1958
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent Morgan Thomas Evans* unopposed
Independent hold Swing

Trelech

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Trelech 1958
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent Stephen Davies* unopposed
Independent hold Swing

Trimsaran

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Trimsaran 1958
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Samuel T. Hughes* unopposed
Labour hold Swing

Westfa

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Westfa 1958
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour unopposed
Labour hold Swing

Whitland

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Whitland 1958
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent W.S. Cole 650
Independent J.I. Davies* 373
Labour R.S. Webb 223
Independent hold Swing

Election of aldermen

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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, the majority of the aldermanic vacancies were taken by Labour.

By-elections

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Following the selection of aldermen the following by-elections were held.[5]

Ammanford No.1 by-election

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Ammanford No.1 by-election 1958
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Haydn Lewis* 983
Ratepayers David Howard Cooke 910
Labour hold Swing

Ammanford No.2 by-election

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Ammanford No.2 by-election 1958
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Thomas Elias Evans 983
Plaid Cymru D.S. Gwynfor Evans* 742
Labour hold Swing

Hengoed by-election

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Hengoed by-election 1958
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Edgar S. Samuel* 615
Independent J.G. Wilkins 472
Labour hold Swing

Llandybie North by-election

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Llandybie North by-election 1958
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour William Morris* 1,124
Independent Clifford Phillips 650
Labour hold Swing

Llanelly No.2 by-election

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Llanelly No.2 by-election 1958
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Brinley Owen 620
Communist R.E. Hitchon 37
Labour hold Swing

Llanelly No.7 by-election

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Llanelly No.7 by-election 1958
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour David J. Williams 822
Communist Brinley Jones 28
Labour hold Swing

References

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  1. ^ "County Council Elections". Carmarthen Journal. 18 April 1958.
  2. ^ a b "Editorial". Carmarthen Journal. 11 April 1958.
  3. ^ "Election of Aldermen". Carmarthen Journal. 2 May 1958.
  4. ^ "Socialists may regain control". Carmarthen Journal. 28 March 1958.
  5. ^ "County Council by-elections". Carmarthen Journal. 20 May 1958.