Blaenau County Borough Council Election Results 1995-2012

Colin Rallings and Michael Thrasher The Elections Centre Plymouth University The information contained in this report has been obtained from a number of sources. Election results from the immediate post-reorganisation period were painstakingly collected by Alan Willis largely, although not exclusively, from local newspaper reports. From the mid- 1980s onwards the results have been obtained from each local authority by the Elections Centre. The data are stored in a database designed by Lawrence Ware and maintained by Brian Cheal and others at Plymouth University. Despite our best efforts some information remains elusive whilst we accept that some errors are likely to remain. Notice of any mistakes should be sent to [email protected]. The results sequence can be kept up to date by purchasing copies of the annual Local Elections Handbook, details of which can be obtained by contacting the email address above.

Front cover: the graph shows the distribution of percentage vote shares over the period covered by the results. The lines reflect the colours traditionally used by the three main parties. The grey line is the share obtained by Independent candidates while the purple line groups together the vote shares for all other parties.

Rear cover: the top graph shows the percentage share of council seats for the main parties as well as those won by Independents and other parties. The lines take account of any by- election changes (but not those resulting from elected councillors switching party allegiance) as well as the transfers of seats during the main round of local election.

The lower graph shows for each main round of local elections the overall percentage turnout (solid line), the percentage of women candidates standing at (dotted line) and the percentage of women among those elected (hashed line).

Llanhilleth (4088)3 (3558)3 - 1995 vote share vote share Bartlett M. Ind 1,306 50.6 James E. Ms.* Ind Lab 919 36.4

3 Adams W. Ind 1,101 - Morgan A.* Lab 869 34.4 (3600) Inch B. Lab 736 28.5 Hillman D. Ind 740 29.3 vote share McCarthy H. Lab 686 - Davies B. Ind 604 - Daniels N. Lab 0 - Smith M. Lab 584 - Rykala A. Ind 467 - Taylor J. Lab 0 0.0 Bartlett R. Ind Lab 540 20.9 Clayton J. Ms. Lab 386 - Bartlett S. Lab 0 - Goode R. Ind 362 - Turnout 52.6 22.1 Williams M. Ind 308 - Turnout 0.0 0.0 Richards A. Ms. Lab 268 - (3576)3 Assinder B.* Ind 169 - Badminton (2594)2 vote share vote share Mason J. Lab 0 0.0 Turnout 57.9 2.0 Scully B. Lab 1,183 55.8 Law P. Lab 0 - Price B. Lab 738 - Dally M. Lab 0 - (4412)3 Evans H. Ind Lab 577 27.2 vote share Meredith C. Rate 359 16.9 Turnout 0.0 0.0 Hopkins J.* Lab 1,802 71.3 Sutton B.* Lab 1,443 - Turnout 59.4 28.6 (2639)2 Elias D. Lab 1,121 -

2 vote share Caleb C. LD 725 28.7 Beaufort (3069) Wilkshire D. Lab 1,063 55.2 O' Leary P. Ms. LD 372 - vote share Williams W. Rate 863 44.8 Caldwell V. Lab 0 - England R. Lab 611 - Turnout 49.7 42.6 Herbert W. Lab 0 0.0

Turnout 57.9 10.4 Cwm (3148)2 Turnout 0.0 0.0 vote share 3 3 (4338) Davies D.* Lab 955 47.6 Blaina (3647) vote share Davies G.* Lab 745 - vote share Owens D. Lab 1,465 52.1 Barnes K. Ind Lab 697 34.7 James W. Ind Lab 1,028 37.0 Thomas B. Lib 1,345 47.9 Alford D. LD 356 17.7 Assinder B. Lab 963 34.6 Griffiths G. Lab 1,268 - Morgan A. Lab 882 - Small P. Lab 1,059 - Turnout 47.6 12.8 Cook R. Rate 789 28.4

Madden B. Rate 746 - Turnout 53.3 4.3 (3748)3 Phippen J. Lab 690 - vote share (2153)2 Clark G. Ms. Lab 833 48.6 Turnout 55.0 2.3 vote share Holland M. Lab 787 -

3 Hancock D. PC 836 47.8 Smith G. Lab 593 - Brynmawr (4331) Watkins W. Lab 625 35.7 Davies D.* Ind Lab 448 26.1 vote share Thomas M. Lab 402 - Cole I. LD 434 25.3 Hopkins J. Lab 2,127 59.9 Bard W. LD 160 9.1 Plaster M. Ind Lab 373 - Sutton B. Lab 1,760 - Bartlett N. Ms. Ind Lab 128 7.3 Jones M. Ms. Con 1,421 40.1 Turnout 41.8 22.4 Swales O. Ms. Lab 1,208 - Turnout 55.6 12.1 North (3605)3 Turnout 58.4 19.9 Central & West (4928)4 vote share

2 vote share Williams K. Ms.* Lab 980 56.2 Cwm (3012) Jones E. Lab 1,656 55.7 Rogers J.* Lab 894 - vote share Jones C. Lab 1,585 - Wilcox D.* Lab 803 - Davies D. Lab 1,157 66.1 Fox A. Lab 1,456 - Dobbs P. Ind Lab 399 22.9 Davies G. Lab 944 - Morris D. Lab 1,437 - Rose M. LD 364 20.9 Barnes K. Ind Lab 594 33.9 Reardon K. Ind 714 24.0 Bowen-Knight G. PC 602 20.3 Turnout 41.4 33.3 Turnout 52.2 32.2

2 3 Turnout 45.7 31.7 (3245) Cwmtillery (3834) vote share vote share Edwards T.* Rate 692 37.8 Davies D. Lab 0 - Clements B.* Lab 658 35.9 Bartlett G. Lab 0 - Blaenau Gwent - 1999 Greenway P. Ms. Lab 414 - Vowles W. Lab 0 0.0 Miller B. Rate 388 -

3 Williams R. PC 308 16.8 Turnout 0.0 0.0 Abertillery (3465) Sewell B. LD 173 9.4 vote share 3 (3714) Daniels N.* Lab 1,011 49.1 Turnout 44.1 1.9 vote share Welch R. Lab 640 - Williams K. Ms. Lab 1,333 59.8 Owen R. Lab 630 - Georgetown (2703)2 Rogers J. Lab 1,059 - Williams A. Ms. Rate 618 30.0 vote share Wilcox D. Lab 1,026 - Francombe C. LD 429 20.8 Owen J. Rate 1,042 53.8 Evans J. PC 897 40.2 Gregory J. Lab 549 28.4 Turnout 44.6 19.1 Jenkins R.* Lab 431 - Turnout 46.6 19.6 Roberts G. PC 345 17.8 Badminton (2544)2 2 Ebbw Vale South (3292) vote share Turnout 53.1 25.5 vote share Scully B.* Lab 966 51.7 Clements B. Lab 706 51.4 Edwards D. Lab 691 - (3827)3 Edwards T. Rate 668 48.6 Meidith C. Rate 407 21.8 vote share Rossi C. Rate 663 - Davies G. PC 261 14.0 Hughes D. Lab 1,074 47.1 Greenway P. Ms. Lab 616 - Price B.* Ind 236 12.6 McCarthy J. Lab 968 - McIlwee J. Lab 864 - Turnout 43.4 2.8 Turnout 57.0 29.9 Bartlett M.* Ind 737 32.3

2 2 Adams W.* Ind 577 - Georgetown (2752) Beaufort (3041) Trimm W. LD 294 12.9 vote share vote share Gravenor T. Ind Lab 177 7.8 Jenkins R. Lab 629 51.5 Herbert W.* Lab 818 53.9 Inch B.* Ind Lab 164 - Carter D. Ind 593 48.5 Elliot W. Rate 699 46.1

Shaw T. Lab 558 - Caldwell V.* Lab 697 - Turnout 50.5 14.8 Higgs G. Ms. Rate 606 - Turnout 55.6 2.9 Turnout 48.5 7.8

Results of the Welsh Unitary Elections 1995-2012 1

Nantyglo (3286)3 Blaina (3578)3 Rassau (2431)2 vote share vote share vote share Dally M.* Lab 1,341 54.8 Morgan A.* Lab 860 52.5 Wilkshire D.* Lab 850 56.1 Moore E. Lab 951 - Hillman D.* Ind 777 47.5 Williams W.* Ind 666 43.9 Swales O. Lab 813 - James E. Ms.* Ind 661 - Caldwell V. Lab 418 - Mason J.* Ind 703 28.7 Goode R. Lab 595 - Harris P. Ms. Ind 330 - Rykala P. Ms. PC 402 16.4 Swales O. Ms. Lab 404 - Assinder B. Ind 342 - Turnout 49.7 12.1 Turnout 52.9 26.1 Turnout 43.8 5.1 Sirhowy (4221)3 Rassau (2609)2 vote share vote share Brynmawr (4259)3 Thomas B.* LD 1,058 52.7 Wilkshire D.* Lab 871 42.9 vote share Davies W.* Lab 950 47.3 Williams W.* Rate 686 33.8 Hopkins J.* Lab 1,599 54.8 Owen D.* Lab 913 - Spurr P. Ind Lab 472 23.3 Sutton B.* Lab 1,255 - Thomas J. LD 753 - Lott P. Rate 453 - Elias D.* Lab 1,098 - Retallick M. Ms. Lab 676 - Davies D. Lab 449 - Ball S. Ms. Ind 803 27.5 Caleb C. LD 514 17.6 Turnout 42.5 5.4 Turnout 58.9 9.1 Turnout 49.1 27.3 Six Bells (1874)2 Sirhowy (4297)3 vote share vote share Cwm (3378)2 Hancock D.* Ind 702 51.1 Thomas B.* LD 1,277 41.4 vote share Watkins W.* Lab 395 28.7 Davies W. Lab 1,127 36.5 Barnes K. Ind 885 51.3 Adams T. Lab 330 - Owens D.* Lab 1,034 - Davies D.* Lab 839 48.7 Bard W. LD 278 20.2 Evans G. Lab 941 - Bender K. Ms. Lab 750 - Corbett R. Rate 683 22.1 Turnout 52.8 22.3 Turnout 43.3 2.7 Turnout 52.3 4.9 Tredegar Central & West (4509)4 Cwmtillery (3588)3 vote share Six Bells (2036)2 vote share Thomas S.* Lab 1,085 63.5 vote share Morris C. Ms.* LD 899 39.3 Hopkins P. Lab 1,015 - Watkins W.* Lab 597 43.9 Clark G. Ms.* Lab 645 28.2 Morris D.* Lab 978 - Hancock D.* Ind 535 39.4 Holland M.* Lab 565 - Trollope H. Lab 978 - Adams T. Lab 381 - Price N. LD 543 - Bowen-Knight G. PC 625 36.5 Bard W. LD 227 16.7 Davies D. Ms. Ind 450 19.7 Sullivan K. PC 611 - Francombe G. Ms. LD 215 - Smith G.* Lab 442 - Meek J. PC 294 12.8 Turnout 39.3 26.9 Turnout 52.7 4.6 Finney A. Ind 290 -

Tredegar Central & West (4815)4 Turnout 47.2 11.1 vote share Blaenau Gwent - 2008 Jones E.* Lab 1,264 40.6 Ebbw Vale North (3405)3

Fox A.* Lab 1,116 - vote share 3 Thomas S. Lab 1,018 - Morgan J. Ms. Lab 0 - Abertillery (3345) Morris D.* Lab 1,017 - Rogers J.* Lab 0 - vote share Bowen-Knight G. PC 778 25.0 Wilcox D.* Lab 0 0.0 Daniels N.* Ind 813 38.1 Taylor J. Ind 734 - Mills J. Ms. Rate 681 21.8 Jones C.* Ind Lab 394 12.6 Turnout 0.0 0.0 Bard S.* LD 521 24.4 Price P. Ms. Peop V 443 20.7

Turnout 45.4 15.6 Ebbw Vale South (2979)2 Chaplin K. Lab 359 16.8 vote share Welch R.* Lab 337 - Clements B.* Lab 637 37.3 Owen D. Lab 232 - Lewis M. Lab 556 - Miller B. LD 440 25.8 Turnout 44.5 13.7 Blaenau Gwent - 2004 Pearce G. Ind 394 23.1 2 Williams R. PC 235 13.8 Badminton (2516) Abertillery (3393)3 vote share

vote share Turnout 42.5 11.5 Meredith C.* Ind 800 46.9 Daniels N.* Lab 940 48.7 Scully B.* Lab 487 28.5 Bard S. LD 670 34.7 Georgetown (2686)2 Edwards C. Lab 435 - Welch R.* Lab 640 - vote share Price B. Peop V 420 24.6 Phillips R. Lab 590 - Owen J.* Ind 1,048 56.9 Evans G. Ind 385 - Cole I. LD 366 - Hayden K. Lab 551 29.9 Jones R. Ind 319 16.5 Morgan C. LD 243 13.2 Turnout 55.3 18.3

2 Turnout 43.4 14.0 Turnout 44.9 27.0 Beaufort (2944) vote share 2 Badminton (2459) Llanhilleth (3580)3 Thomas G. Peop V 584 40.3 vote share vote share Hughes G.* Lab 469 32.3 Sculley B.* Lab 740 54.0 Hughes D.* Lab 1,201 55.7 White D.* Lab 445 - Meredith C. Ind 631 46.0 McCarthy H. Lab 1,151 - Edwards T. Peop V 426 - Edwards D.* Lab 587 - McIlwee J.* Lab 1,095 - Carini M. Ind 397 27.4 Price B. Ind 489 - Adams W. Ind 637 29.6 Greeves C. Ind 370 - Hamer E. Green 317 14.7 Jones K. Ind 74 - Turnout 53.6 8.0

Turnout 48.5 26.2 Turnout 51.4 7.9 Beaufort (2903)2 3 vote share Nantyglo (3110)3 Blaina (3564) Hughes G. Lab 670 39.3 vote share vote share White D. Lab 649 - Dally M.* Lab 931 44.9 Collier G. Ind 1,083 77.8 Duffy G. Ms. LD 518 30.3 Mason J. Ind 704 34.0 Hillman D.* Ind 783 - Edwards T. Ind 408 23.9 Moore E.* Lab 635 - Lewis Y. Ms.* Ind 679 - Price C. Ms. PC 111 6.5 Richards A. Ms. Lab 497 - Wall C. Lab 309 22.2 Jones K. Ind 99 - Williams M. PC 303 14.6 Assinder B. Ind 294 - Price N. PC 82 - Potts T. LD 135 6.5 Young L. Lab 288 - Phippen J. Lab 147 -

Turnout 48.8 8.9 Turnout 44.6 11.0 Goode J. Ind 132 -

Turnout 46.3 55.6

2 Local Elections Handbook 1995-2012

Brynmawr (4171)3 Rassau (2457)2 Brynmawr (4172)3 vote share vote share vote share Brown K. Ind 1,283 48.4 Williams J.* Ind 828 41.1 Hopkins J.* Ind 943 57.1 Hopkins J.* Lab 1,071 40.4 Wilkshire D.* Lab 693 34.4 Brown K.* Ind 713 - Elias D. Ms.* Lab 695 - England R. Peop V 494 24.5 Sutton B. Lab 708 42.9 Sutton B.* Lab 645 - Ireland- Elias D.* Ind 643 - Davies R. Ind 585 - Mossop S. Ms. Lab 292 - Hodgins W. Ind 499 - Swanson B. Ind 536 - Swales O. Ms. Lab 487 - Morgan I. Peop V 296 11.2 Turnout 53.8 6.7 Boyd N. Lab 399 -

Turnout 47.4 8.0 Sirhowy (4282)3 Turnout 38.5 14.2 vote share Cwm (3307)2 Thomas B.* LD 822 30.3 Cwm (3355)2 vote share Owens D.* Lab 723 26.7 vote share Barnes K.* Ind 979 46.2 Rowberry D. Ms. Lab 595 - Bender K. Ms. Lab 720 55.9 Abbott P. Peop V 701 33.1 Gregory T. Ind 557 20.6 Bevan D. Lab 716 - Davies D.* Lab 439 20.7 Thomas J. LD 529 - Barnes K.* Ind 569 44.1 Bevan D. Lab 347 - Lippiard E. Ms. LD 529 - Retallick M. Ms. Lab 517 - Turnout 36.3 11.7 Turnout 43.2 13.1 Wilcox M. Ms. Peop V 356 13.1 Davies A. Con 252 9.3 Cwmtillery (3656)3 3 Cwmtillery (3589) vote share vote share Turnout 44.0 3.7 Sharrem T. Lab 960 70.4 Davies D. Peop V 584 34.2 Bartlett G. Lab 705 - Rocke R. Ind 581 34.0 Six Bells (1886)2 Tidey C. Ms. Lab 595 - Edwards M. Ind 552 - vote share Davies D. Ms. Ind 403 29.6 Bartlett G. Lab 542 31.8 Hancock D.* Ind 721 75.7 Rocke D.* Ind 362 - Plaster M. Peop V 472 - Watkins W.* Ind 527 - Clark G. Ms. Ind 306 - Beattie Z. Ms. Lab 392 - Holland M.* Lab 231 24.3 Edwards M.* Ind 215 - Clark G. Ms.* Ind 378 - Long L. Lab 192 - Taylor D. Ind 172 - Smith G. Lab 371 - Turnout 48.1 51.5 Turnout 41.8 40.9 Turnout 44.6 0.2 Tredegar Central & West (4532)4 Ebbw Vale North (3508)3 Ebbw Vale North (3450)3 vote share vote share vote share Thomas S.* Lab 808 32.6 Morgan J. Ms.* Lab 765 64.2 Rogers J.* Peop V 769 54.3 Trollope H.* Lab 740 - Lewis S. Ms. Lab 727 - Wilcox D.* Peop V 696 - Hobbs N. Ms. Lab 712 - Coughlin D. Lab 690 - Morgan J. Ms.* Lab 647 45.7 Morris D.* Lab 691 - Rogers J. Ind 427 35.8 Fanner P. Peop V 646 - Bowen-Knight G. PC 587 23.7 Fanner P. Ind 354 - Lewis V. Lab 509 - Walters G. Peop V 544 22.0 Wilcox D. Ind 345 - Buttress T. Lab 442 - Kenvin W. LD 539 21.8 Wilcox D. Ms. Peop V 516 - Turnout 34.8 28.4 Turnout 40.0 8.6 Turnout 37.8 8.9 Ebbw Vale South (3113)2 Ebbw Vale South (2913)2 vote share vote share Lewis M.* Lab 691 61.0 Lewis M.* Lab 589 39.2 Clements B.* Lab 551 - Clements B.* Lab 448 - Blaenau Gwent - 2012 Millard J. Ind 441 39.0 Waggett G. Ind 409 27.2 Williams R. Ind 217 -

Pennells S. Peop V 295 19.7 3 Williams R. Peop V 255 - Abertillery (3411) Turnout 33.4 22.1 Miller B. LD 208 13.9 vote share Daniels N.* Ind 691 49.2 2 Georgetown (3011) Turnout 40.9 12.0 Chaplin K. Lab 563 40.1 vote share Jones R. Lab 491 - Hayden K.* Lab 811 77.0 Georgetown (2633)2 Taylor J.* Ind 374 - Morgan J. Lab 716 - vote share Bard S. Ind 232 - Jones B. Ind 242 23.0 Beynon I. Ind 231 - Owen J.* Ind 815 46.8 Hayden K.* Lab 402 23.1 Urch B. BNP 151 10.7 Turnout 34.5 54.0 Rees S. Peop V 386 22.2 Morgan J. Lab 341 - Turnout 37.6 9.1 Llanhilleth (3629)3 Goodwin B. BNP 139 8.0 vote share Badminton (2545)2 McCarthy H.* Lab 745 55.9 Turnout 46.5 23.7 vote share Bartlett M. Lab 717 - Scully B.* Lab 569 46.7 McLlwee J. Lab 675 - Llanhilleth (3650)3 Meredith C.* Ind 561 46.0 Hughes D.* Ind 587 44.1 vote share Biston G. Ms. Lab 518 - Parsons N. Ind 379 - Hughes D.* Ind 833 41.7 Price B. Ind 302 - Adams W. Ind 227 - Bartlett M. Ind 777 - Page A. Con 89 7.3 Lawerence N. Ind 136 - McCarthy H.* Lab 596 29.8 McIlwee J.* Lab 587 - Turnout 43.7 0.7 Turnout 39.3 11.9

Adams B. Peop V 569 28.5 2 Matthews M. Ms. Lab 471 - Beaufort (2971) Nantyglo (3498)3 Morgan M. Ind 437 - vote share vote share Thomas G.* Ind 596 54.7 Baldwin P. Lab 735 57.0 Turnout 49.3 11.9 White D. Lab 494 45.3 Dally M.* Lab 733 - Anstee J. Lab 434 - Mason J.* Ind 554 43.0 Nantyglo (3447)3 Edwards T. Ind 393 - Richards A. Ms. Lab 539 - vote share O'Shea M. Ind 318 - Ford S. Ms.* Ind 457 - Mason J.* Ind 866 48.0 Raza M. Ind 154 - Dally M.* Lab 705 39.0 Turnout 39.7 9.4

Ford S. Ms. Ind 600 - 3 Turnout 36.9 14.0 Mason B. Ind 442 - Blaina (3598) Richards A. Ms. Lab 387 - vote share Swales O. Ms. Lab 305 - Collier G.* Ind 777 56.5 Drake F. Peop V 235 13.0 Pagett R. Lab 598 43.5 Winnett L. Ms. Lab 491 -

Turnout 42.2 8.9 Lewis Y. Ms.* Ind 464 - Hillman D.* Ind 392 - Williams N. Ms. Lab 383 -

Turnout 35.5 13.0

Results of the Welsh Unitary Elections 1995-2012 3

Rassau (2558)2 vote share Wilkshire D.* Lab 727 62.7 Williams W. Ind 433 37.3 Ireland- Mossop R. Ms. Lab 375 - Davies G. Ind 342 - Edwards P. Ind 250 -

Turnout 43.5 25.3

Sirhowy (4410)3 vote share Cross M. Lab 1,011 63.7 Rowberry D. Ms.* Lab 917 - Owens D.* Lab 861 - Thomas B. Ind 577 36.3 Gregory T. Ind 482 -

Turnout 37.6 27.3

Six Bells (1888)2 vote share Hancock D.* Ind 439 54.5 Holland M. Lab 366 45.5 Thomas A. Lab 246 - Watkins W.* Ind 236 - Lentle R. Ind 176 -

Turnout 41.8 9.1

Tredegar Central & West (4251)4 vote share Thomas S.* Lab 882 52.5 Willis B. Lab 881 - Trollope H.* Lab 852 - Hobbs A. Ms. Lab 768 - Jason O. Ind 483 28.8 Moore A. Ms. Ind 472 - Sullivan K. PC 315 18.8

Turnout 34.3 23.8

4 Local Elections Handbook 1995-2012