An election to the Carmarthenshire County Council was held in March 1934. It was preceded by the 1931 election and followed by the 1937 election.
Overview of the result
The Independent group remained the majority grouping on the Council, with Labour polling strongly in the industrial south and east of the county. In the Llanelli area, Communist Party candidates contested a number of seats but polled a low vote in all cases.
Boundary changes
There were no boundary changes.
Candidates
Only a minority of the 53 divisions were contested. Labour fielded 30 candidates, more than ever before; eleven of whom were returned unopposed. A greater number of contests took place in 1934 in Carmarthenshire than at any time since the First World War. This was as a result of more contests in rural areas between rival Independent candidates.
Outcome There were very few changes as a result of the election. The most striking result was the defeat of the Council chairman, David Harry, in the Berwick ward. The Llanelly Star considered this 'a shabby return' after over twenty years' service. However, the result confirmed a pattern of increasing Labour dominance in the industrial part of the county, and Harry had previously been defeated in 1928 before regaining the seat in 1931.
In Llanelli town, the late withdrawal of W.T. Morris led to the unopposed return of Tom Charles for Labour. Charles had been narrowly defeated by Morris at several previous elections. In Ward Two, Percy Evans, returned at a by-election in 1931 following a split Independent vote, but now standing for the ILP, was defeated.
Ward results
Abergwili
Ammanford
Bettws
Caio
Carmarthen Eastern Ward (Lower Division)
Carmarthen Eastern Ward (Upper Division)
Carmarthen Western Ward (Lower Division)
Carmarthen Western Ward (Upper Division)
Cenarth
Cilycwm
Conwil
Kidwelly
Laugharne
Llanarthney
Llanboidy
Llandebie North
Llandebie South
Llandilo Rural
Llandilo Urban
Llandovery
Llandyssilio
Llanedy
Llanegwad
Llanelly Division 1
Llanelly Division 2
Llanelly Division 3
Llanelly Division 4
Llanelly Division 5
Llanelly Division 6
Llanelly Division 7
Llanelly Division 8
Llanelly Rural, Berwick
Llanelly Rural, Hengoed
Llanelly Rural, Westfa and Glyn
Llanfihangel Aberbythick
Llanfihangel-ar-Arth
Llangadock
Llangeler
Llangendeirne
Llangennech
Llangunnor
Llanon
Llansawel
Llanstephan
Llanybyther
Myddfai
Pembrey North
Pembrey South
Quarter Bach
Rhydcymmerai
St Clears
St Ishmael
Trelech
Whitland
Election of aldermen
In addition to the 53 councillors the council consisted of 17 county aldermen. Aldermen were elected by the council, and served a six-year term. There had been suggestions in the past that aldermen should face the elctorate before being re-appointed but when this was suggested by Edgar Lewis (Lab, Llanarthey) at the statutory meeting the suggestion was greeted with laughter. The following nine aldermen were re-elected.
Western Area Sir F.D. Williams-Drummond, Hafodneddyn W.D. Davies, Parcygroes Edward James, Clynderwen John Lewis, Meirios Hall W. Price Williams, Carmarthen
Eastern Area William Greville, Cross Hnads Tom Morris, Garnant Thomas Thomas, Llangennech W.J. Williams, Brynamman
References