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1928 Glamorgan County Council election

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The thirteenth election to Glamorgan County Council, south Wales, took place in March 1928. It was preceded by the 1925 election and followed by the 1931 election.

Overview of the Result

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Labour was defending a secure majority in an election that was more bitterly fought than in previous year, in the wake of divisions persisting after the General Strike and lockout of 1926. Non-Labour candidates largely coalesced under an Independent banner but lost further ground as Labour won additional seats

Boundary Changes

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There were no boundary changes at this election.

Candidates

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20 candidates were returned unopposed, only five won whom were Labour.[1]

Following the death of Dr T.H. Morris (Rhondda) there were ten retiring aldermen, nine of whom sought re-election. The only exception was Thomas Luther Davies (Aberaman).

Contested Elections

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The pattern of contests was similar to 1925, although Labour did challenge some long-serving aldermen including W.R. Davies (first elected in 1898) at Cilfynydd and Enoch Davies in the Rhondda. In the Garw Valley ward, retiring alderman Rev. William Saunders was opposed by the sitting Independent councillor as was Alderman D.T. Williams in the Swansea Valley ward.

Outcome

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Labour gained a number of seats, increasing their majority on the County Council.[2]

A notable result in the Dulais Valley was the defeat of coal owner Daniel Daniels, former chairman of the Council, by Labour candidate Gwilym Davies. Daniels had not been re-elected as an alderman three years previously and the result came after a series of disputes in the mining industry.

In the Cilfynydd ward, Labour candidate Arthur Pearson defeated Alderman W.R. Davies, first elected to the council in 1898. Labour had won the seat in 1919 but in 1922 stood down to allow Davies to be returned unopposed. The decision to oppose him reflected the increasingly partisan politics of the mining valleys and Davies was narrowly defeated.

A similar situation arose in Treherbert, a seat won for Labour by D.E. Williams in 1919. Williams stood down in favour of Alderman Enoch Davies in 1922 but having been returned unopposed in 1925 he stood against Davies and was returned by several hundred votes. Enoch Davies had served as a member of the Council since 1901, and was a prominent tradesman and nonconformist.[3]

Labour lost only two seats, at Penygraig in the Rhondda and also Pontardawe.[4] The latter was significant as it was also represented by Alderman Dan Dai Davies, jailed for his role in the anthracite strike and disturbances of 1925. Labour consolidated their majorities in many others, including seats gained three years previously.

Results

[edit]
Aberaman 1928
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Sydney Herbert Stephens* 2,410
Independent Augustus Davies 1,681
Majority 729
Labour hold Swing
Aberavon 1928
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Edward Lewis Hare* 2,369
Independent E. Marchant Jenkins 1,984
Majority 385
Labour hold Swing
Abercynon 1928
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Richard A. Thomas 2,473
Liberal Edward J. Thomas 1,579
Majority 394
Labour hold Swing
Aberdare Town 1928
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent William Thomas* Unopposed
Independent gain from Liberal Swing

Bargoed

[edit]
Bargoed 1928
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour William Henry Hopkins* 2,760
Independent Gus Jones 1,786
Majority 974
Labour hold Swing
Barry 1928
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Rev R.H. Lomas 1,909
Independent E.T. Lawrence* 1,669
Majority 240
Labour gain from Liberal Swing

Barry Dock

[edit]
Barry Dock 1928
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal W.M. Davies* 2,139
Independent P.J. O'Donnell 880
Majority 1,259
Liberal hold Swing
Blaengwawr 1928
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour William J. Edwards* 1,541
Independent Henry Vause 750
Majority 791
Labour hold Swing
Bridgend 1928
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent Dapho Llewellyn Powell* Unopposed
Independent hold Swing
Briton Ferry 1928
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour George Gethin* 1,946
Independent W.J. Hill 1,714
Majority 232
Labour hold Swing
Cadoxton 1928
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent J.R. Llewellyn* Unopposed
Majority
Independent gain from Conservative Swing
Caerphilly 1928
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent Thomas Edwards* 2,412
Labour Evan Phillips 2,345
Majority 67
Independent gain from Liberal Swing
Cilfynydd 1928
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Arthur Pearson 1,912
Independent William Roberts Davies** 1,773
Majority 139
Labour hold Swing
Coedffranc 1928
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour W. Phillip Jenkins* 2,149
Independent Ogley L. David 2,077
Majority 72
Labour hold Swing
Cowbridge 1928
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent Colonel H.R. Homfray* 2,061
Labour David E. Harris 1,132
Majority 919
Independent gain from Conservative Swing

Cwm Aber

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Cwm Aber 1928
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Hubert Jenkins** Unopposed
Majority
Labour hold Swing

Cwmavon

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Cwmavon 1928
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour John Jones Edwards* 1,728
Independent Percy Jacob 1,241
Majority 487
Labour hold Swing

In 1922 David Watts-Morgan had stood down in favour of retiring Liberal alderman Morgan Williams but by 1928 Williams had retired from public life.

Cymmer 1928
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour David Watts-Morgan* 1,378
Independent Mrs R.D. Chalke 925
Majority 453
Labour hold Swing
Dinas Powys 1928
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent Claude D. Thompson* Unopposed
Independent gain from Conservative Swing
Dulais Valley 1928
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Gwilym Davies 2,338
Independent Daniel Daniels* 1,421
Majority 917
Labour gain from Liberal Swing
Ferndale 1928
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Jabez Davies* Unopposed
Labour hold Swing

Gadlys

[edit]
Gadlys 1928
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent T. Marchant Harries* Unopposed
Independent gain from Liberal Swing
Glyncorrwg 1928
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Tom John* 2,135
Independent Dr Alfred Davies 1,095
Majority 1,040
Labour hold Swing
Gower 1928
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent Frederick W. Davies* 2,041
Labour William Henry Davies 1,534
Majority 407
Independent hold Swing

Hengoed

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Hengoed 1928
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Thomas Evans 1,810
Independent Edward Richards* 1,466
Majority 344
Labour gain from Liberal Swing

Hopkinstown

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Hopkinstown 1928
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour John Tristram*
Independent W.E. Summers 1,131
Majority 701
Labour hold Swing
Kibbor 1928
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent H. Spence Thomas* 2,501
Labour W.S. Collins 857
Majority 1,644
Independent gain from Conservative Swing
Llandaff 1928
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent Lewis Lougher* Unopposed
Independent gain from Conservative Swing

Llandeilo Talybont

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Llandeilo Talybont 1928
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Thomas Jones 2,086
Independent Ben Oliver 1,437
Majority 649
Labour hold Swing

Llanfabon

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Llanfabon 1928
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour William Bowen* 1,502
Independent Arthur Hopkins 1,037
Majority 465
Labour hold Swing
Llwydcoed 1928
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent Martha Emma Jones Unopposed
Independent gain from Liberal Swing
Llwynypia 1928
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent James Evans** Unopposed
Independent gain from Liberal Swing
Loughor 1928
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent Thomas J. Thomas* Unopposed
Independent hold Swing

Maesteg, Caerau and Nantyffyllon

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Maesteg, Caerau and Nantyffyllon 1928
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour John Hughes* Unopposed
Labour hold Swing

Maesteg, East and West

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Maesteg East and West 1928
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent Albert E. Lockyer 2,471
Labour George Hitchings 1,129
Majority 1,612
Independent hold Swing
Mountain Ash 1928
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent Lord Aberdare* Unopposed
Independent hold Swing
Neath (North) 1928
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent Hopkin Morgan** Unopposed
Independent gain from Liberal Swing

Davies failed to hold Neath South having stood down in favour of Alderman Hopkin Morgan in neighbouring Neath North.

Neath (South) 1928
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Rev W. Degwel Thomas 1,880
Independent David Griffith Davies* 1,714
Majority 175
Labour gain from Liberal Swing
Newcastle 1928
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Edward Horace Mole* Unopposed
Labour hold Swing

Ogmore Valley

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Six years previously, the SWMF candidate had defeated a railwaymen's nominee but that result was now reversed.

Ogmore Valley 1928
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent Labour Thomas A. Job 2,157
Labour David J. Thomas* 1,808
Majority 349
Independent Labour gain from Labour Swing

Penarth North

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Penarth North 1928
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Peter Freeman 802
Independent Walter Hallett* 801
Majority 1
Labour gain from Conservative Swing

Penarth South

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Penarth South 1928
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent Samuel Thomas* Unopposed
Independent gain from Conservative Swing

Pencoed

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Pencoed 1928
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent W.A. Howell* Unopposed
Independent hold Swing

Penrhiwceiber

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Penrhiwceiber 1928
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour John William Bath Unopposed
Labour hold Swing
Pentre 1928
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent Thomas Alfred Thomas* Unopposed
Independent gain from Liberal Swing
Pontardawe 1928
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent C. Gilbertson 2,150
Labour Charles Williams* 1,986
Majority 164
Independent gain from Labour Swing

Pontyclun

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Pontyclun 1928
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent Thomas Jenkins* 1,949
Labour Johnson Miles 1,636
Majority 313
Independent gain from Conservative Swing

Port Talbot East

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Port Talbot East 1928
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Taliesin Mainwaring 1,461
Independent William Arthur Davies 1,363
Majority 98
Labour hold Swing

Port Talbot West

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Port Talbot West 1928
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent Llewelyn David* 1,778
Labour Joseph Brown 1,020
Majority 758
Independent hold Swing

Porthcawl

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Porthcawl 1928
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent William Elias 2,585
Labour William J. Owen 1,626
Majority 959
Independent hold Swing

Hammond had previously been elected as a Liberal.

Pontlottyn 1928
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour William Hammond* 1,683
Independent A.E. Gardner 552
Majority 1,131
Labour hold Swing

Pontycymmer

[edit]
Pontycymmer 1928
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Rev. William Saunders** 2,260
Independent Jonathan Maddocks* 1,519
Majority 741
Labour gain from Independent Swing
Pontypridd Town 1928
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent H.R. Evans* 1,651
Labour D.L. Davies 1,127
Majority 524
Independent hold Swing
Penygraig 1928
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent J.P. Davies 1,680
Labour Nefydd Thomas* 1,628
Majority 52
Independent gain from Labour Swing

Porth

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Porth 1928
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent William Evans* Unopposed
Independent gain from Liberal Swing

Swansea Valley

[edit]
Swansea Valley 1928
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour D.T. Williams** 2,596
Independent Richard Thomas* 2,042
Independent Mrs E. Jones 363
Majority 554
Labour gain from Independent Swing

Tonyrefail and Gilfach Goch

[edit]
Tonyrefail and Gilfach Goch 1928
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour William Arthur Jones* 1,646
Independent E.W. Evans 1,535
Majority 111
Labour hold Swing

Trealaw

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Trealaw 1928
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Enoch Treharne* 1,764
Independent Rev T.L. Jones 1,133
Independent Labour A. Boyce 1,072
Majority 631
Labour hold Swing
Treforest 1928
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Arthur James Chick* 2,175
Independent R. Roper 1,850
Majority 325
Labour hold Swing

Enoch Davies was defeated after 27 years after the sitting Labour councillor did not withdraw in his favour

Treherbert 1928
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour David Edward Williams* 2,426
Independent Enoch Davies** 2,019
Majority 407
Labour hold Swing

Treorchy

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Treorchy 1928
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Rhys Evans* 3,118
Independent John Samuel 2,316
Majority 802
Labour hold Swing

Tylorstown

[edit]
Tylorstown 1928
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour John Mardy Evans* 2,060
Independent Daniel Ashton 874
Majority 1,186
Labour hold Swing

Vale of Neath

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Vale of Neath 1928
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour William A. Betty 2,250
Independent D.H. Jones* 2.004
Majority 46
Labour gain from Independent Swing
Ynyshir 1928
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour George Dalling* 2,145
Independent Dan Jones 1,449
Majority 699
Labour hold Swing

Ystalyfera

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Ystalyfera 1928
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour John David Brazell* 2,177
Independent T. Alex Evans 1,170
Majority 1,007
Labour hold Swing
Ystrad 1928
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent Dr W.E. Thomas* Unopposed
Independent gain from Liberal Swing

Election of Aldermen

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In addition to the 66 councillors the council consisted of 22 county aldermen. Aldermen were elected by the council, and served a six-year term. Following the 1928 election, there were eleven Aldermanic vacancies, all of which all of which were filled by Labour nominees despite the protestations of their opponents.[5]

The following retiring aldermen were re-elected:

  • Hubert Jenkins (Lab, Cwm Aber)
  • Rev William Saunders (Lab, Garw Valley)
  • David Thomas Williams (Lab, Swansea Valley)

In addition, the following seven new aldermen were elected:

  • J.D. Brazell (Lab, Ystalyfera)
  • Jabez Davies (Lab, Rhondda)
  • Rhys Evans (Lab, Treorchy)
  • William Hammond (Lab, Pontlottyn)
  • W. Arthur Jones (Lab, Tonyrefail)
  • E.H. Mole (Lab, Newcastle)
  • Enoch Treharne (Lab, Rhondda)
  • David Watts-Morgan MP (Lab, Rhondda)

The following retiring aldermen were re-elected as members of the Council but were not re-elected as aldermen:

  • Hopkin Morgan (Lib, Neath)
  • Enoch Davies (Lib, Rhondda)
  • James Evans (Lib, Rhondda)

By-elections

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Eleven vacancies were caused by the election of aldermen.

Cwm Aber by-election

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Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour
Independent
Majority
Labour gain from Independent Swing

Cymmer by-election

[edit]

Following the election of David Watts-Morgan as alderman the by-election was won by the Independent candidate. Mrs Chalke was married to R.D. Chalke, headmaster of Porth Grammar School and the prospective Liberal candidate for Rhondda East, when he was due to oppose Watts-Morgan.[6]

Cymmer by-election 1928
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent Mrs R.D. Chalke 1,068
Labour David Thomas 908
Majority 160
Independent gain from Labour Swing

Ferndale by-election

[edit]
Ferndale by-election 1928
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent Alfred Evans 2,301
Labour Dr K. Datta 1,559
Communist Charles Jones 1,224
Majority 742
Independent gain from Labour Swing

Garw Valley by-election

[edit]

Jonathan Maddocks, the sitting Independent councillor, had been defeated by Alderman William Saunders at the regular election, and was again defeated by a Labour candidate.

Garw Valley by-election 1928
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Ted Williams 2,370
Independent Jonathan Maddocks 1,391
Majority 979
Labour gain from Independent Swing

Newcastle by-election

[edit]

Following the appointment of E.H. Mole as alderman, the Rev. H.R. Jenkins, vicar of Penyfai, was elected to represent this ward.

Newcastle by-election 1928
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Rev H.R. Jenkins 1,734
Independent Thomas Butler 1,252
Majority 482
Labour hold Swing

Pontlottyn by-election

[edit]
Pontlottyn by-election 1928
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour W.A. Hancock 1,439
Liberal Mrs H. Davies 909
Majority 530
Labour hold Swing

Swansea Valley by-election

[edit]

Following the re-election of D.T. Williams as alderman, Richard Thomas, who had held the seat since 1922 but failed to hold on against Williams, regained the seat as an Independent.

Swansea Valley by-election 1928
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent Richard Thomas 2,547
Labour John L. Rees 2,130
Majority 417
Independent gain from Labour Swing

Tonyrefail by-election

[edit]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour
Independent
Majority
Labour gain from Independent Swing

Trealaw by-election

[edit]
Trealaw by-election 1928
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Rev R.J. Barker 2,022
Independent Labour Jack Hughes 1,677
Majority 350
Labour hold Swing

Treorchy by-election

[edit]

Following the election of Rhys Evans as alderman, David Hughes, checkweigher at Abergorki Colliery was elected as his successor.

Treorchy by-election 1928
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour David Hughes 2,726
Independent Labour J. Davies 1,991
Majority 737
Labour hold Swing

Ystalyfera by-election

[edit]

Following the election of J.D. Brazell as alderman, Daniel T. Jones of Cwmllynfell, who had held the seat from 1919 until 1922 was elected as his successor.

Ystalyfera by-election 1928
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Daniel T. Jones 1,962
Independent John Griffiths 982
Majority 980
Labour hold Swing

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Strong Glamorgan Attack. Independent Candidates Oppose Retiring Socialists". Western Mail. 28 February 1928. p. 9. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  2. ^ "How the Voting Went. County Council Election Results". Western Mail. 6 March 1928. p. 8. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  3. ^ Williams 1996, p. 54.
  4. ^ "Glamorgan. Tuesday Declarations Show More Changes". Western Mail. 7 March 1928. p. 9. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
  5. ^ "Socialist Goodwill. Glamorgan Demonstration of "Co-operation". Ousting of Aldermen". Western Mail. 16 March 1928. p. 7. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
  6. ^ Williams 1996, p. 157.

Bibliography

[edit]
  • Williams, Chris (1996). Democratic Rhondda: Politics and society 1885-1951. Cardiff: University of Wales Press.