The 1973 Gwent County Council election was held on Thursday 12 April 1973 to elect councillors to the new Gwent County Council, governing the new county of Gwent, Wales. It took place on the same day as other county council elections in the United Kingdom.
These were the first elections to the new county council, which would come into effect on 1 April 1974. Future elections would take place every four years, with the next one scheduled for April 1977.
The 1973 election saw the Labour Party win a strong majority on the Council.
Background
Gwent was created following local government reorganisation enacted by the Local Government Act 1972. It covered the area of Monmouthshire and Newport County Borough, which would be transferred from England to Wales in 1974.
The 1973 elections were the first to the new local authorities, with councillors acting in a shadow capacity until 1 April 1974 when the new councils took full effect.[1]
The position of alderman on the local authorities was abolished, with all members of the new councils being elected ward councillors.[1]
Overview of the result
Seventy-eight Gwent County Council seats in 66 electoral wards were up for election in April 1973. Labour overall increased its presence in comparison with the old councils, though there were some close battles between Labour, the Liberals and Independents in some wards.[2]
In Cwmbran Labour did not fare so well, with an Independent and a Ratepayer candidate winning seats, and the Conservatives polling strongly.[2]
Gwent County Council election result 1973 [3] Party | Seats | Gains | Losses | Net gain/loss | Seats % | Votes % | Votes | +/− |
| Labour | 59 | | | N/A | 75.6 | | | N/A |
| Conservative | 12 | | | N/A | 15.3 | | | N/A |
| Liberal | 3 | | | N/A | 3.8 | | | N/A |
| Plaid Cymru | 1 | | | N/A | 1.2 | | | N/A |
| Communist | 0 | | | N/A | 0.0 | | 1,185 | N/A |
| Ratepayers | 2 | | | N/A | 2.5 | | | N/A |
| Independent | 1 | | | N/A | 1.2 | | | N/A |
Ward results
Contests took place in 49 wards, with candidates in seventeen of the wards being elected unopposed.[2][a][3]
Aberbeeg and Six Bells (1 seat)
Aberbeeg and Six Bells ward 1973 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Plaid Cymru | I. Lewis | 1,415 | | |
| Labour | H. Snellgrove | 1,295 | | |
Turnout | | 58.8 | n/a |
Registered electors | 4,608 | | |
Abercarn and Cwmcarn (1 seat)
Abercarn and Cwmcarn ward 1973 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Labour | D. J. Williams | Unopposed |
Abergavenny Cantref and Grofield (1 seat)
Abergavenny Cantref and Grofield ward 1973 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Conservative | R. Smith | 947 | | |
| Labour | P. Stockham | 522 | | |
Turnout | | 39.2 | n/a |
Registered electors | 3,745 | | |
Abergavenny Castle and Priory (1 seat)
Abergavenny Castle and Priory ward 1973 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Conservative | P. Williams | 1,000 | | |
| Labour | J. Pardoe-James | 904 | | |
Turnout | | 56.4 | n/a |
Registered electors | 3,376 | | |
Abersychan Central (1 seat)
Abersychan Central ward 1973 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Labour | G. Smith | 891 | | |
| Communist | G. Williams | 222 | | |
Turnout | | 48.6 | n/a |
Registered electors | 2,288 | | |
Abersychan North (1 seat)
Abertillery (1 seat)
Abertillery[b] ward 1973 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Labour | R. G. Owen | Unopposed |
Alexandra (1 seat)
Allt-yr-yn (1 seat)
Alway (2 seats)
Alway (Newport)[d] ward 1973 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Labour | J. Turner | 1,718 | | |
| Labour | R. Murray | 1,439 | | |
| Conservative | T. Tranter | 951 | | |
| Conservative | (Mrs) D. Griffiths | 856 | | |
| Liberal | H. Clark | 834 | | |
Turnout | | 53.3 | n/a |
Registered electors | 6,569 | | |
Bassaleg and Marshfield (1 seat)
Bassaleg and Marshfield ward 1973 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Conservative | P. Grimmer | 1,027 | | |
| Labour | T. Lewis | 638 | | |
| Liberal | I. Wasgett | 401 | | |
Turnout | | 46.2 | n/a |
Registered electors | 4,474 | | |
Bedwellty No. 2 Pengam (1 seat)
Pengam[e] ward 1973 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Labour | G. Jenkins | Unopposed |
Bedwellty No. 3 Argoed and Cefn Fforest (1 seat)
Argoed and Cefn Fforest[f] ward 1973 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Labour | (Mrs) O. G. Lloyd | Unopposed |
Beechwood (2 seats)
Beechwood (Newport)[g] ward 1973 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Labour | J. Marsh | 1,322 | | |
| Liberal | (Mrs) W. Crowther | 1,143 | | |
| Labour | G. Purnell | 1,081 | | |
| Conservative | T. Elliot | 975 | | |
| Conservative | W. Wright | 812 | | |
| Plaid Cymru | G. Lee | 308 | | |
Turnout | | 62.9 | n/a |
Registered electors | 5,961 | | |
Bettws (1 seat)
Bettws (Newport)[h] ward 1973 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Labour | J. Morgan | Unopposed |
Blackwood (1 seat)
Blackwood ward 1973 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Labour | D. Bosley | Unopposed |
Blaenavon (1 seat)
Brynmawr (1 seat)
Caerleon (1 seat)
Caerleon ward 1973 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Labour | J. Kirkwood | 1,274 | | |
| Plaid Cymru | (Mrs) L. Lewis | 952 | | |
| Liberal | R. Zeal | 498 | | |
Caerwent (1 seat)
Caerwent ward 1973 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Labour | S. Baldwin | 1,203 | | |
| Conservative | L. Horton | 1,169 | | |
Caldicot (1 seat)
Caldicot ward 1973 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Labour | G. Powell | 1,917 | | |
| Conservative | M. Shirington | 772 | | |
Central (1 seat)
Central (Newport)[j] ward 1973 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Labour | A. Hames | 1,276 | | |
| Conservative | C. Courtney | 653 | | |
Chepstow (1 seat)
Chepstow ward 1973 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Labour | A. O'Neill | 1,240 | | |
| Plaid Cymru | E. Spanswick [k] | 219 | | |
Crickhowell and Llanelly Parish (1 seat)
Crickhowell and Llanelly Parish[l] ward 1973 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Labour | J. Jones | 622 | | |
| Independent | T. Thomas | 491 | | |
| Independent | William Morris | 375 | | |
Crucorny Fawr and Llantilio Pertholey (1 seat)
Crucorny Fawr and Llantilio Pertholey[m] ward 1973 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Conservative | J. Davies | 940 | | |
| Labour | E. Blour | 567 | | |
Crumlin (1 seat)
Crumlin ward 1973 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Labour | A. E. England | Unopposed |
Cwmbran Central and Llantarnam (1 seat)
Cwmbran Central and Llantarnam ward 1973 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Labour | Oliver James | 1,263 | | |
| Independent | D. Miles | 831 | | |
Cwmtillery (1 seat)
Cwmtillery ward 1973 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Labour | T. Mytton | Unopposed |
Ebbw Vale, Badminton, Beaufort and N Central
Ebbw Vale, Badminton, Beaufort and North Central[n] ward 1973 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Labour | F. Watley | 1,771 | | |
| Ratepayer | W. Jones | 1,723 | | |
| Ratepayer | A. Pope | 1,689 | | |
| Labour | K. Barnes | 1,665 | | |
| Plaid Cymru | J. Evans | 1,231 | | |
Ebbw Vale Central, Cwm and South Central
Ebbw Vale Central, Cwm and South Central[o] ward 1973 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Labour | J. Rogers | 3,792 | | |
| Labour | R. Morgan | 3,667 | | |
| Labour | P. Cross | 3,070 | | |
| Ratepayer | A. O'Donovan | 2,965 | | |
| Ratepayer | M. Jones | 2,357 | | |
| Plaid Cymru | D. Kerwick | 1,937 | | |
Fairwater and Henllys (1 seat)
Fairwater and Henllys ward 1973 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Labour | R. Wellington | 1,319 | | |
| Communist | D. Clarke | 169 | | |
Langstone (1 seat)
Langstone (Newport) ward 1973 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Conservative | D. Duthie | 1,227 | | |
| Labour | J. Murphy | 855 | | |
Llanfoist and Llanover (1 seat)
Llanfoist and Llanover ward 1973 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Conservative | C. Williams | 1,143 | | |
| Labour | H. Gail | 712 | | |
Llanfrechfa Lower (2 seats)
Llanfrechfa Lower ward 1973 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Labour | M. Thomas | 2,114 | | |
| Labour | R. Hill | 1,968 | | |
| Conservative | N. Davies | 1,346 | | |
| Conservative | D. Chappell | 1,298 | | |
| Independent | F. Hole | 601 | | |
Llanhilleth (1 seat)
Llanhilleth ward 1973 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Labour | R. Rice | Unopposed |
Lliswerry (2 seats)
Lliswerry[p] (Newport) ward 1973 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Labour | R. Lloyd | 1,527 | | |
| Labour | H. Herbert | 1,422 | | |
| Conservative | J. Maynard [q] | 1,010 | | |
| Conservative | E. Di Villa | 842 | | |
Malpas (1 seat)
Malpas[r] (Newport) ward 1973 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Labour | K. James | 1,864 | | |
| Labour | M. Lewis | 1,754 | | |
| Conservative | D. Jewett | 1,177 | | |
| Conservative | M. Bellew | 1,128 | | |
Monmouth (1 seat)
Monmouth ward 1973 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Conservative | J. Lewis | 1,363 | | |
| Labour | T. Flynn | 757 | | |
Mynyddislwyn Penmaen (1 seat)
Mynyddislwyn Penmaen ward 1973 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Labour | S. Lloyd | Unopposed |
Nantyglo and Blaina Central and South (1 seat)
Nantyglo and Blaina Central and South ward 1973 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Labour | K. Jayne | 1,909 | | |
| Independent | W. Chard | 1,418 | | |
Nantyglo and Blaina North (1 seat)
Nantyglo and Blaina North ward 1973 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Labour | P. Abraham | Unopposed |
Newbridge (1 seat)
Newbridge ward 1973 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Labour | T. Matthews | Unopposed |
Old Cwmbran (1 seat)
Councillor Rex was a credit company agent and had been a member of Cwmbran Urban Council for 16 years.[2]
Panteg East (1 seat)
This was local newspaper reporter Don Touhig's first ever election, which he won by over 700 votes.[2]
Panteg West (1 seat)
Panteg West ward 1973 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Labour | A. Skuse | Unopposed |
Pontllanfraith (1 seat)
Pontllanfraith ward 1973 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Labour | B. Chicken | Unopposed |
Pontnewydd (1 seat)
Pontnewydd ward 1973 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Ratepayer | P. Pritchard | 973 | | |
| Labour | P. Maplestone | 537 | | |
Councillor Pritchard was General Secretary of the Monmouthshire Federation of Ratepayers.[2]
Pontnewydd North (1 seat)
Pontnewydd North ward 1973 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Labour | S. Ball | Unopposed |
Pontnewydd South (1 seat)
Pontnewydd South ward 1973 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Labour | E. Gibson | 448 | | |
| Plaid Cymru | E. Palmer | 312 | | |
Pontypool (1 seat)
Ringland (2 seats)
Ringland (Newport)[s] ward 1973 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Labour | I. Card | Unopposed |
| Labour | F. Edwards | Unopposed |
Risca Central (1 seat)
Risca Central ward 1973 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Labour | E. Griffiths | 918 | | |
| Independent | D. Rees | 160 | | |
Risca North (1 seat)
Risca North ward 1973 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Labour | A. West | 1,022 | | |
| Progressive Independent[t] | M. Bevan | 473 | | |
Risca South (1 seat)
Risca South ward 1973 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Labour | E. Bendall | 1,579 | | |
| Independent | R. Webster | 877 | | |
Rogerstone (1 seat)
Shaftesbury (2 seats)
Shaftesbury (Newport)[u] ward 1973 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Labour | E. Bosley | 1,574 | | |
| Conservative | D. Davies | 839 | | |
Shirenewton and Tintern (1 seat)
Shirenewton and Tintern ward 1973 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Conservative | I. Heath | 1,192 | | |
| Labour | A. Huntley | 402 | | |
| Ratepayer | D. Millard | 286 | | |
St Julians (2 seats)
St Julians (Newport)[v] ward 1973 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Labour | E. Ovens | 1,595 | | |
| Conservative | W. Morris | 1,468 | | |
| Conservative | R. Thomas | 1,425 | | |
| Labour | R. Soni | 1,387 | | |
St Woolos (2 seats)
St Woolos (Newport)[w] ward 1973 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Labour | J. Pembridge | 1,884 | | |
| Labour | L. Turnbull | 1,729 | | |
| Liberal | D. Hando | 1,364 | | |
Tredegar Central and West (1 seat)
Tredegar Sirhowy ward 1973 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Liberal | Angus Donaldson | 2,172 | | |
| Labour | William Harry | 1,856 | | |
Bill Harry had been one of four Monmouthshire county councillors in Tredegar for 13 years, but Gwent County Council would only have three Tredegar county councillors, with Harry being the loser against Angus Donaldson who was a sitting Liberal Monmouthshire councillor for Tredegar.[2]
Tredegar Georgetown (1 seat)
Tredegar Georgetown ward 1973 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Labour | W. Price | 925 | | |
| Liberal | A. Holley | 663 | | |
| Independent | L. Perriam | 143 | | |
Tredegar Sirhowy (1 seat)
Tredegar Sirhowy ward 1973 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Liberal | Douglas Thomas | 1,425 | | |
| Labour | Oliver Williams | 1,383 | | |
Councillor Thomas won after a recount.[2]
Upper Cwmbran (1 seat)
Usk and Pontypool Rural (1 seat)
Usk and Pontypool Rural ward 1973 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Conservative | V. Etheridge | 2,033 | | |
| Labour | J. Davies | 677 | | |
Victoria (1 seat)
Victoria (Newport)[x] ward 1973 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Labour | Patrick Geraghty | 1,333 | | |
| Conservative | Percy Jones | 1,075 | | |
Percy Jones, an alderman and former major of Newport County Borough had been a council member in Newport for 20 years.[2]
Ynysddu (1 seat)
Ynysddu ward 1973 Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Labour | R. Evans | Unopposed |
See also
Notes
- ^ South Wales Echo (13 April 1973) results page also provides some middle initials of candidates, also indicating which candidates are female
- ^ South Wales Echo (13 April 1973) gives the ward name as "Abertillery No. 2"
- ^ South Wales Echo (13 April 1973) gives the ward name as "Newport Alexandra" (per the town's Alexandra Dock area) but the Election Centre calls it "Alexander"
- ^ South Wales Echo (13 April 1973) gives the ward name as "Newport, Alway"
- ^ South Wales Echo (13 April 1973) gives the ward name as simply "Bedwellty No. 2", though the Election Centre adds "Pengam"
- ^ South Wales Echo (13 April 1973) gives the ward name as "Bedwellty No. 3" though the Election Centre shows Mrs Lloyd as being elected to "Argoed and Cefn Fforest"
- ^ South Wales Echo (13 April 1973) gives the ward name as "Newport, Beechwood"
- ^ South Wales Echo (13 April 1973) gives the ward name as "Newport Bettws"
- ^ South Wales Echo (13 April 1973) describes "W. Edwards" as "Independent" though Elections Centre describes "N. Edwards" as "Democratic Labour"
- ^ South Wales Echo (13 April 1973) gives the ward name as "Newport Central"
- ^ South Wales Echo (13 April 1973) results page lists Spanswick as the "Plaid Cymru/Common Market Referendum" candidate
- ^ South Wales Echo (13 April 1973) gives the ward name as "Crickhowell"
- ^ South Wales Echo (13 April 1973) gives the ward name as "Crucorny Fawr and Llantilio" while Elections Centre says "Crucorny Fawr & Llantilio Pertho" (though this will refer to Llantilio Pertholey)
- ^ South Wales Echo (13 April 1973) gives the full ward name as "Ebbw Vale, Badminton, Beaufort and North Central" and Election Centre name appears to be abbreviated
- ^ South Wales Echo (13 April 1973) gives the full ward name as "Ebbw Vale Central, Cwm and South Central" and Election Centre name appears to be abbreviated
- ^ South Wales Echo (13 April 1973) gives the ward name as "Newport Liswerrry" while the Election Centre calls it "Lliswerry"
- ^ Election Centre has repeated the losing Malpas ward Conservative candidates here, but South Wales Echo (13 April 1973) gives the Lliswerry losing candidates as J. Maynard and E. Di Villa
- ^ South Wales Echo (13 April 1973) gives the ward name as "Newport Malpas"
- ^ South Wales Echo (13 April 1973) gives the ward name as "Newport Ringland"
- ^ South Wales Echo (13 April 1973) describes Bevan as a 'Progressive Independent'
- ^ South Wales Echo (13 April 1973) gives the ward name as "Newport Shaftesbury"
- ^ South Wales Echo (13 April 1973) gives the ward name as "Newport, St. Julians"
- ^ South Wales Echo (13 April 1973) gives the ward name as "Newport, St. Woolos"
- ^ South Wales Echo (13 April 1973) gives the ward name as "Newport Victoria"
References
- ^ a b "Echo Survey - on the great unknowns". South Wales Echo. 3 April 1973. p. 6.
These are the most important local elections in living memory. This year for the first time every council will be elected together. Formerly one-third came up for election each year ... For the year following the elections the new councils will gradually take over from the old ones. Then, when the year is up, the old councils will meet for the last time and the new ones take full responsibility. Because aldermen, who at present make up a quarter of the county and county borough councils, are to be abolished several of those now serving will have to contest elections if they want a seat on the new councils ...
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Dad gets her vote - but he still loses seat - Gwent (results)". South Wales Echo. 13 April 1973. p. 8.
- ^ a b "Gwent County Council Election Results 1973-1993" (PDF). The Elections Centre (Plymouth University). Retrieved 14 September 2019.
|
---|
County councils (England) | |
---|
County councils (Wales) | |
---|
County councils (Scotland) | - Aberdeenshire
- Angus
- Argyll
- Ayrshire
- Banffshire
- Berwickshire
- Buteshire
- Caithness
- Clackmannanshire
- Dumfriesshire
- Dunbartonshire
- East Lothian
- Fife
- Inverness-shire
- Kincardineshire
- Kinross-shire
- Kirkcudbrightshire
- Lanarkshire
- Midlothian
- Moray
- Nairnshire
- Orkney
- Peeblesshire
- Perthshire
- Renfrewshire
- Ross and Cromarty
- Roxburghshire
- Selkirkshire
- Stirlingshire
- Sutherland
- West Lothian
- Wigtownshire
- Zetland
|
---|
Unicameral area | |
---|
Metropolitan boroughs | |
---|
City corporations | |
---|
District councils (England) | |
---|
District councils (Wales) | - Aberconwy
- Afan
- Alyn and Deeside
- Anglesey - Ynys Môn
- Arfon
- Blaenau Gwent
- Brecknock
- Cardiff
- Carmarthen
- Ceredigion
- Colwyn
- Cynon Valley
- Delyn
- Dinefwr
- Dwyfor
- Glyndŵr
- Islwyn
- Llanelli
- Lliw Valley
- Meirionnydd
- Merthyr Tydfil
- Monmouth
- Montgomery
- Neath
- Newport
- Ogwr
- Preseli
- Radnor
- Rhondda
- Rhuddlan
- Rhymney Valley
- South Pembrokeshire
- Swansea
- Taff-Ely
- Torfaen
- Vale of Glamorgan
- Wrexham Maelor
|
---|
District councils (Northern Ireland) | |
---|
Town councils | - Airdrie
- Arbroath
- Ayr
- Clydebank
- Coatbridge
- Dunfermline
- Dumfries
- East Kilbride
- Falkirk
- Greenock
- Hamilton
- Inverness
- Kilmarnock
- Motherwell and Wishaw
- Paisley
- Perth
- Port Glasgow
|
---|
Sui generis | |
---|