1907 Carmarthenshire County Council election

All 70 seats to Carmarthenshire County Council 36 seats needed for a majority
First party Second party Third party   Party Liberal Conservative Labour Last election 59/68 7/68 0/68 Seats before 59/68 7/68 1/68 Seats won 55/70 6/70 3/70 Councillors 38 6 3 Aldermen 17 0 0 Seats +/– 4 1 3   Fourth party Fifth party   Party Liberal Unionist Independent Last election 2/68 0/68 Seats before 2/68 0/68 Seats won 0/70 1/70 Councillors 0 6 Aldermen 0 0 Seats +/– 2 6
Council control after election Liberal Liberal Party

The seventh election to the Carmarthenshire County Council was held in March 1907.^[1] It was preceded by the 1904 election and followed by the 1910 election.

Overview of the result

The Conservatives made a conscious attempt to contest far more seats than at recent elections in an election dominated by ongoing disputes over disestablishment. However, the Liberals retained a strong majority and many sitting members were returned unopposed.^[2]

Boundary changes

There were minor boundary changes leading to the creation of two additional wards, namely Ammanford and Llandissilio. The new Ammanford ward, which comprised the urban district of Ammanford was created by the division of the Bettws Ward into two.^[3] Significant population growth had taken place in the eastern part of the county as a result of the growth of the anthracite coal trade but demands for further additional wards to be formed in the Llanelli district were rejected. The second new ward was at Llandissilio in the western part of the county, on the Pembrokeshire border. It was formed out of portions of the existing Whitland and Llanboidy wards.^[3] There was less unanimity in favour of the new Llandissilio ward than was the case at Ammanford, and there were suggestions that an additional rural ward was being created to counterbalance the new industrial ward at Ammanford. A proposal for a third new ward, at Newchurch on the outskirts of Carmarthen was rejected in due course.

As a result of these boundary changes, the Council included 53 elected members as opposed to 51 previously. The number of aldermen remained at 17.

Retiring aldermen

The aldermen who retired at the election were

• John Bevan,
• Joseph Joseph,
• Sir Lewis Morris,
• Daniel Stephens,
• H J Thomas,
• Thomas Watkins,
• Joseph Mayberry,
• Augustus Brigstocke,

Candidates

Eighteen wards were contested, compared with only six in 1904.

Four of those elected at the first election in 1889, and who had served continuously since then, sought re-election. Earl Cawdor, Sir James Drummond, C.E. Morris and D,C. Parry (Llanelli) were all returned unopposed.^[2]

Outcome

While a small number of wards were hotly contested and the Conservatives made a small number of gains, their attempt to change the political composition of the council was unsuccessful.

In Llanarthney, a determined attempt was made to unseat Henry Jones-Davies, with allegations that the Conservative David Farr Davies, a colliery manager, was supported by some labour figures.^[1]

Ward results

Election of aldermen

In addition to the 51 councillors the council consisted of 17 county aldermen. Aldermen were elected by the council, and served a six-year term. Following the elections the following eight aldermen were elected (with the number of votes in each case).

References