The first election to Pembrokeshire County Council, was held in January 1889. It was followed by the 1892 election. The county was divided into 38 single member wards with two councillors elected to represent Tenby and Pembroke, and five for Pembroke Dock.
Overview of the result 1889 was a landmark year in the history of Welsh Liberalism, a coming of age symbolized by the triumph across Wales of Liberal candidates in the inaugural county council elections. The Liberal triumph in Pembrokeshire was not as complete as in other Welsh counties but was nevertheless significant. In the north of the county a number of landed gentry were defeated including James Bevan Bowen of Llwyngwair, former MP for the county of Pembrokeshire. There were only nine unopposed returns, most of whom were Liberals.
Ward results Ambleston
Amroth
Begelly
Burton
Camrose
Carew
Clydey
Castlemartin
Eglwyswrw
Fishguard
Haverfordwest St Mary's
Haverfordwest, Prendergast and Uzmaston
Haverfordwest, St Thomas and Furzy Park
Haverfordwest St Martin's
Kilgerran
Lampeter Velfrey
Llanfyrnach
Llanwnda
Llawhaden
Llangwm
Llanstadwell
Maenclochog
Manorbier
Mathry
Milford
Monkton
Nevern
Newport
Narberth North
Pembroke (two seats)
Pembroke Dock (five seats) None of the candidates were said to have openly run on political lines and no meetings took place during the campaign.
St David's
St Dogmaels
St Ishmaels
St Issels
Slebech and Martletwy
Staynton
Tenby (two seats)
Walwyn's Castle
Whitchurch
Wiston
Election of aldermen In addition to the 51 councillors the council consisted of 16 county aldermen. Aldermen were elected by the council, and served a six-year term. Following the election of the initial sixteen aldermen, half of the aldermanic bench would be elected every three years following the triennial council election. After the initial elections, there were sixteen aldermanic vacancies and the following aldermen were appointed by the newly elected council (with the number of votes cast recorded in each case). A second vote was held to determine which aldermen should retire in three years. Consequent upon the election of aldermen who were councillors, further elections were required in Pembroke, Slebech and Martletwy, Wiston, Carew, and St Ishmaels's. Despite being an election, the decision on the aldermen was made by the Liberals in advance of the county council meeting.
Elected for six years H. G. Allen, Liberal (elected councillor for Carew) 42 Lord Kensington, Liberal (elected councillor for St Ishmaels) 42 James Bevan Bowen, Conservative (defeated candidate at Nevern) 31 John Thomas, Llether 30, Liberal W. Gibbs, Hodgeston 29, Liberal William Williams, Haverfordwest 27, Liberal N. A. Roch, Tenby, Conservative (defeated candidate at Tenby) 24 Captain Higgon 23, Conservative (elected councillor for Wiston)
Elected for three years W. E. Seccombe, Liberal (elected councillor for Pembroke Dock) 32 G. P. Brewer, Narberth 29, Liberal R. Thomas, Trebover 29, Liberal W. Evans, Bletherston 28, Liberal Ben Rees, Granant 28, Liberal H. John Thomas, Lochturfin 28, Liberal W. Watts Williams, St David's 28, Liberal Sir Charles Philipps, Conservative (elected councillor for Slebech and Martletwy) 22
By-elections Five vacancies were caused by the election of aldermen.
Pembroke Dock by-election The election to replace Alderman Secombe took place on Friday 15 February 1899 and was fought on political lines.
St Ishmaels by-election The election which followed the elevation of Lord Kensington to alderman took place on Friday 15 February 1899 and was not fought on political lines.
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