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The Glamorgan County Council election, 1901 was the fifth contest for seats on this authority. It was preceded by the 1898 election and followed by the 1904 election. Glamorgan was by far the largest county in Wales in terms of population. Glamorgan County Council had been esttblished by the 1888 Local Government Act, and the first elections held in early 1889. The county of Glamorgan was at this time becoming heavily industrialised, although some areas such as the Vale of Glamorgan remained essentially rural. The rise of nonconformist liberalism, especially since the 1860s, throughout Wales, had challenged the prevailing influence of the landed gentry. However, even in 1889, the traditional forces remained influential and no working men were elected to the Council. This changed in 1892 with the unopposed return of David Morgan in Aberdare and the success of Isaac Evans in Resolven.
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Overview of the Result
As in most parts of Wales, the Liberal Party was once again triumphant and won a majority of the seats. In 1901 the majority of the seats were uncontested, in contrast to the position at previous elections.
Results are drawn from a number of sources. The include a number of newspapers.
Boundary Changes
There were no boundary changes at this election.
Retiring Aldermen
Eight of the eleven retiring aldermen were Liberals.
Aberdare Town
David Price Davies, a member of the Council since 1889 and an alderman from 1892 until 1898 was defeated.
Briton Ferry
Jenkin Hill recaptured the seat he lost three years previously.
Cwmavon
Two Liberals, a sitting alderman and sitting councillor, opposed each other.
Cyfarthfa
Thomas Thomas recaptured the seat he lost three years previously.
Gadlys
Charles Kenshole, elected unopposed in 1898 was defeated.
Llwydcoed
Rees Llewellyn, prominent industrialist and member of Aberdare Urban District Council won the seat.
Maesteg
The same two candidates had faced each other in 1895. On that occasion, Barrow had won and was elected as alderman for a three-year period. Jenkin Jones was then returned at a by-election.
Margam
The previous councillor, Edward Knox, was said to have left the district. D.R. David was the owner of the Taibach Tinplate Works and a prominent figure in the public life of the district.
Neath (South)
At the previous election, Trick had stood as a Conservative.
Pentre
Morris appears to have defected to the Unionists, leading to his defeat.
Pontlottyn
Although a Liberal gain, the shock was the defeat of Alderman Aaron Davies.
Sketty
John Davies had been defeated in the two previous elections but was now returned unopposed.
Treforest
James Roberts had won the seat at a by-election following the death of the previous member, David Leyshon
Election of Aldermen
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 1901 election, there were eleven Aldermanic vacancies.
The following aldermen were appointed by the newly elected council. A notable feature was the non-election of Sir John Llewelyn, an alderman since 1889. As a result there were no Conservative aldermen on Glamorgan County Council, the first time that this had occurred.
elected for six years