Cardiganshire County Council election, 1892

Overview of the Result

To some extent the euphoria of 1889 had passed three years later and the whole atmosphere was marked by less excitement. The result, however, was virtually identical to that of the inaugural election.

Boundary Changes

One feature was that the multi-member seats, which existed in urban areas in the first elections, were divided so that all councillors were now elected to represent single member wards.

Unopposed Returns

There were far more unopposed returns than three years previously.

Retiring Aldermen

The following aldermen retired at the election:

Of the eight retiring aldermen, only Jenkin Jenkins and Llewellyn Edwards, both of whom were made aldermen as defeated candidates in 1889, sought election. Jenkins won at Llanfihangel Ystrad but Edwards was again defeated at Llanbadarn, this time by solicitor Hugh Hughes.

Contested Elections

Most contests were again on party lines although there were several instances of Liberals opposing each other. The Conservatives had a few successes, notably at New Quay where Captain Longcroft of Llanina triumphed following divisions amongst local nonconformists.

Council following the election of aldermen and by-elections

Three Conservative / Unionist and five Liberal aldermen were elected, replicating the balance of the retiring aldermen.

The Liberals strengthened their majority by capturing all three seats which became vacant following the election of aldermen.

Aberporth

The ward was known as Blaenporth at the previous election but there was no boundary change.

Aberystwyth Division 4

Cardigan South

Cwmrheidol

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Goginan

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Llanddewi Brefi

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Llandygwydd

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Llandysul South

Llanfarian

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Llanfihangel Ystrad

Jenkin Jenkins, defeated in 1889 but subsequently made an alderman, successfully held the seat by a small margin.

Llangeitho

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Llanilar

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Llanllwchaiarn

Llansantffraed

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Nantcwnlle

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New Quay

There were boundary changes at Llanllwchaiarn and New Quay as the previous two-member ward was divided into two single-member wards. Liberal candidates held both seats in 1889.

Election of Aldermen

In addition to the 48 councillors the council consisted of 16 county aldermen. Aldermen were elected by the council, and served a six-year term. Following the elections, the following aldermen were appointed by the newly elected council.

In contrast to the initial elections, all eight aldermen selected in 1892 were elected members of the Council. The Conservatives were again allocated three places, although two of those selected had captured their seats from the Liberals at the recent election. Their elevation allowed the defetaed Liberal candidates to be returned unopposed at the ensuing by-elections (see below).

Aldermanic Vacancies, 1892-98

Colonel Davies-Evans decided not to accept a place on the aldermanic bench soon after the election. The Conservatives proposed that their nominee, David Lloyd, should occupy the vacancy but the Liberals were divided on the issue. In the ballot, Lloyd was elected by 19 votes against 18 for T.H.R. Hughes. As a result, the following appointment was made for six years in May 1892.

By-elections

Six of the eight vacancies were filled unopposed and there were two contested elections. The Liberals captured all eight sets, including the three held by the Conservative or Unionist aldermen.

Cilcennin by-election

John Davies, elected in 1889, but defeated at the initial election, was returned unopposed.

Llanddewi Brefi by-election

D.J. Williams, who formerly represented Tregaron won a narrow victory.

Llanfihangel Ystrad by-election

Walter Davies had been narrowly defeated at the initial election. Jones was described as a working class candidate.

Llangoedmor by-election

Following W.O. Brigstocke's election as alderman, David Samuel Jones of Llwyngrawys was elected unopposed.

Llanwenog by-election

Following Colonel Davies-Evans's election as alderman his son was expected to contest the vacancy. However, he did not stand and Timothy Jones of Coedlanaufach, a farmer and Liberal, was returned unopposed.

New Quay by-election 1892

There was also a by-election in New Quay following the death of Captain Longcroft within a few days of the election. In a close contest, Sir Marteine Lloyd of Bronwydd, famously defeated in 1889, narrowly defeated the former councillor John Owen Davies, holding the seat for the Conservatives.

Lledrod by-election 1892

Roderick Lloyd (elected alderman in 1889) resigned on being appointed county surveyor and the Rev John Owen was elected in his place. In the resulting by-election two candidates were nominated. William Bebb withdrew too late to avoid an election but received no votes at the ensuing ballot.

Llangeitho by-election 1892

This by-election followed the death of Robert Joseph Davies

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Aberystwyth Division 3 by-election 1892

A by-election took place on 29 November 1892 following the death of John James. The Liberals retained the seat.