An election to the Carmarthenshire County Council was held in March 1949.[1] It was preceded by the 1946 election and followed, by the 1952 election.
Overview of the result
After steadily increasing their representation throughout the inter-war period, the Labour Party finally won a majority on the Council, and strengthened their hold by taking nine of the ten vacancies on the aldermanic bench. Labour victories included taking a seat in the Borough of Carmarthen for the first time. Gwynfor Evans, President of Plaid Cymru, was returned for the Llangadog ward.
Boundary changes
There were no boundary changes.
Unopposed returns
There were a number of unopposed returns, both in Labour held seats and in the western part of the county, which was described as still being 'traditionally Liberal in character'.[2]
Contested elections
While there were more unopposed returns than in 1946, many wards were keenly contested. Electioneering reached a peak in Llanelli where an Independent association was formed to fight the elections as a united front against Labour. However, Labour won all but two seats in Llanelli town.
Retiring aldermen faced the electorate for the first time since 1937. In Llangyndeyrn, Alderman Rev. James Jenkins, a member of the Council since 1925, was defeated by the retiring Labour councilor. However, Dame Gwendoline Trubshaw was one of only two Independent candidates to secure election in Llanelli.
Summary of results
This section summarises the detailed results which are noted in the following sections. In some cases there is an ambiguity in the sources over the party affiliations and this is explained below where relevant.
This table summarises the result of the elections in all wards. 53 councillors were elected.
Carmarthesnhire County Council 1949: elected members
In addition to the 57 councillors the council consisted of 19 county aldermen. Aldermen were elected by the council, and served a six-year term. Following the elections the following nine aldermen were elected.
W. Douglas Hughes, Labour
Emrys Aubrey, Labour
T.S. Bowen, Labour
T.W. Morgan, Labour
D.J. Jones, Labour
W.W. Davies, Labour
J. Amos Jones, Labour
W.T. Griffiths, Labour
J. Llewellyn Evans, Labour
Dame Gwendoline Trubshaw, Independent
By-elections
Following the selection of aldermen the following by-elections were held.[3] In Llanelli, the Independents gained two seats but Labour won the seat vacated by Dame Gwendoline Trubshaw.
