Cardiganshire County Council election, 1895

Overview of the Result

The Liberals were again returned with a large majority. There were a large number of unopposed returns.

Retiring Aldermen

The following aldermen, all of whom were Liberals, retired at the election.

Only C.M. Williams in Aberystwyth and David Lloyd in Aberbanc sought election. Levi James (Cardigan), William Davies (New Quay), J.T. Morgan (Talybont) and David Jenkins, Glandovey (elected from outside the Council) all stood down and did not seek re-election. John Davies, Tanycoed and John Owen, Blaenpennal, who had filled aldermanic vacancies since 1889 did likewise. All those who stood down retired from county politics apart from J.T. Morgan who was re-elected as an alderman despite not facing the electorate.

Contested Elections

There were fewer contested elections than on the previous two occasions as the politics of the county seems to settle down after the initial contests. In Aberystwyth it was said that the Town Council elections the previous November had elicited much greater interest.

Those seats that were contested witnessed a swing towards the Conservative candidates, who captured a total of seven seats. These included significant victories at Cardigan and Llandysul. The contest in Bow Street could also be regarded as a Conservative gain.

It was said that a plough belonging to a farmer in Borth was destroyed due to his support for the Conservative candidate.

The New Council

The Liberals once again had a comfortable majority. Morgan Evans of Llanarth was elected chairman for 1895/96.

Aberarth

Two Liberals faced each other although he sitting member was described as a Conservative in some quarters.

Aberbanc

Dr David Lloyd, whose aldermanic term had come to an end, was elected unopposed in place of Evan Davies.

Aberystwyth Division 2

The sitting member was returned unopposed after E.V. Wynne, chemist, withdrew.

Cwmrheidol

Nicholas Bray regained the seat he lost in 1892 after winning the initial election in 1889.

Felinfach

This ward was now commonly described as Felinfach rather than Llanfihangel Ystrad.

Lampeter Borough

Harford, elected in a close contest in 1889, did not initially seek re-election in 1892, but was returned unopposed after David Lloyd was made an alderman.

Llanddewi Brefi

David Davies had lost his seat at the previous election in 1892 and narrowly lost the by-election following the successful candidate's election as alderman.

Llandysul South

The sitting member, Enoch Davies, was returned for the neighbouring Penbryn Ward, leading to the loss of this ward to the Conservatives.

Llanfair Clydogau

The sitting member held on against the most prominent Liberal Unionist in Cardiganshire.

Llangeitho

Robert J. Davies of Cwrt Mawr had died shortly after the 1892 election.

Nantcwnlle

Having captured the seat in 1892, Jenkin Howells held on by a mere three votes over David Jones of Station Road, Lampeter.

Taliesin

john Jones, elected unopposed in 1892, was returned by a small majority over another Liberal

Trefeurig

This was the first time Llewelyn Edwards had won a contested election, having been defeated at Llanbadarn Fawr in 1889 and 1892. On the former occasion he was made an alderman despite his defeat and on the latter elected unopposed for Trefeurig following Peter Jones's elevation to the aldermanic bench.

Tregaron

D.J. Williams had previously represented Tregaron as a Liberal Unionist from a by-election in 1889 until 1892 when he did not stand. He was elected for Llanddewi Brefi at a by-election in 1892

Election of Aldermen

The overhaul of the aldermanic bench saw the election of key figures from the liberal ranks. Having avoided the principle of electing from outside the Council four years previously this practice was now adopted once again, leading to criticism, most notably from the Liberal-supporting Cambrian News. It was noted in particular that three defeated candidates were elected, namely James Stevens at Cardigan, Daniel Jones of Llanon and Davies of Cwrtmawr. J.T. Morgan of Talybont was also re-elected although he had not contested the election.

Aldermanic Vacancies 1895-1901

Daniel Jones died a few months after the election. In August 1895, James James of Ffynonhowell, from outside of the Council, was appointed to succeed him.

Therefore, the following appointment was made for the remainder of the six-year term.

Aberystwyth Division 4 by-election

The Liberals comfortably retained the seat although the Aberystwyth Observer complained that the Conservatives 'made no special effort' to support their candidate.

Llanarth by-election

Following the appointment of Morgan Evans as alderman, James Evans of Esgerwenfawr was selected as a candidate by the local Liberals, and was returned unopposed.

Llanwnen by-election

The Liberals narrowly held the seat following the election of T.H.R. Hughes as alderman.

Penbryn by-election

Following the appointment of Dr Enoch Davies as alderman, the previous member, Peter R. Beynon won the by-election.