1895 Carmarthenshire County Council election

All 68 seats to Carmarthenshire County Council 35 seats needed for a majority
First party Second party Third party   Party Liberal Conservative Liberal Unionist Last election 55/68 9/68 1/68 Seats before 55/68 9/68 1/68 Seats won 53/68 13/68 1/68 Councillors 38 11 1 Aldermen 15 2 0 Seats +/– 2 4 0   Fourth party   Party Independent Last election 3/68 Seats before 3/68 Seats won 1/68 Councillors 1 Aldermen 0 Seats +/– 2
Council control after election Liberal Liberal Party

The third election to the Carmarthenshire County Council was held in March 1895.^[1] It was preceded by the 1892 election and followed by the 1898 election.

Overview of the result

The Liberals retained a strong majority.

Candidates

37 members were returned unopposed; the vast majority of whom were Liberals. This meant that the Liberals were guaranteed a majority before a single vote was cast. 22 of those elected in 1889 sought re-election.

None of the retiring aldermen sought election as councillors.

Outcome

With only 14 contests out of a possible 51, the election attracted relatively little interest. Much attention focused on Kidwelly where the sitting member Daniel Stephens was narrowly defeated by the Conservative candidate. The Conservatives also won another three seats.

At Cenarth, the successful candidate was returned on the casting vote of the returning officer.

The subsequent election of Stephens as an alderman reflected some divisions in the Liberal ranks when a proposal was made that only elected members should ve elevated to the aldermanic bench.^[2]

Ward results

Election of Aldermen

An unsuccessful attempt was made to select aldermen from among sitting members only.^[2]

The following retiring aldermen were re-elected:

• Joseph Joseph, Liberal (retiring alderman)
• W.R. Edwards, Carmarthen, Liberal
• W.O. Brigstocke JP, Liberal (retiring alderman)
• Dr J.A. Jones, Llanelly, Liberal (retiring alderman)
• Henry Wilkins, Liberal

In addition, the following three new aldermen were elected:

• John Bevan, Llansadwrn
• Daniel Stephens, Liberal (defeated candidate at Kidwelly)
• Thomas Watkins, Tycerrig, Llandovery, Conservative

The following retiring aldermen were not re-elected

• John James, Llandovery
• David Randell MP, Liberal
• H. Nevill, Llanelli, Conservative
• T. Williams, Llwynhendy, Liberal
• D. Richards, Ammanford, Liberal

References