The 1966 Carmarthen by-election, was held in Carmarthen, Wales, on 14 July 1966. The contest was significant in that it resulted in the election of Gwynfor Evans, the first ever Plaid Cymru member of parliament. Plaid Cymru's victory in the Carmarthen constituency, a seminal moment for Welsh nationalism, was part of a wider process toward Welsh devolution which eventually led to the establishment of the Welsh Assembly in 1999.
The election was caused by the death of Labour Party member of parliament Megan Lloyd George.
Sensing rising nationalist feeling in Wales, to fight the election Labour selected Gwilym Davies, a Welsh-speaking solicitor who was an active supporter of the Welsh language and had previously been a member of Plaid Cymru.Julia Langdon, "Lord Prys-Davies obituary", The Guardian, 13 April 2017, accessed 23 August 2025
Gwynfor Evans's surprise win is credited with laying the foundations for Winnie Ewing's victory for the Scottish National Party at the 1967 Hamilton by-election, an event of equal significance for Scottish nationalism.
Result
See also 1882 Carmarthen Boroughs by-election 1924 Carmarthen by-election 1928 Carmarthen by-election 1941 Carmarthen by-election 1957 Carmarthen by-election Carmarthen (UK Parliament constituency) Royal Commission on the Constitution (United Kingdom)
References
External links
Election leaflet of Gwynfor Evans, Plaid Cymru candidate in the 1966 Carmarthen by-election Welsh by-election results: 1833–1972 1966 – 67 By Elections