Neath Welsh District Council Elections Results 1973-1991

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).

Neath Lower ()2 Neath 1973 vote share Neath 1976 Rees R. Ind 1,159 44.6 Jeffreys M. Lab 763 29.4 Dilks M. Ind Lab 474 18.2 Blaengwrach () Blaengwrach (1012) Powell W. Lab 455 - vote share Evans D. Ind 378 - vote share Thomas D. Lab 0 0.0 Dawe G. PC 203 7.8 Thomas D.* Lab 0 0.0

Turnout 0.0 0.0 Turnout 0.0 15.2 Turnout 0.0 0.0

4 4 Briton Ferry (5349) North (6748)4 Briton Ferry (5358) vote share vote share vote share Brown W. Lab 1,866 60.6 Thomas H. Lab 1,692 55.5 Tudor S. PC 1,489 51.5 Davies W. Lab 1,785 - Warman J. Lab 1,524 - Brown W. Lab 1,403 48.5 Moule M. Lab 1,766 - Phillips P. Lab 1,510 - Moule M. Lab 1,333 - Powell A. Lab 1,709 - Davies R. Rate 1,356 44.5 Powell A. Lab 1,307 - Evans D. PC 1,214 39.4 Leitz J. Lab 1,350 - Davies W. Lab 1,286 - Morris L. Rate 1,341 - Turnout 57.6 21.2 Nicholas T. Rate 1,334 - Turnout 54.0 3.0 Hemming G. Rate 1,282 - Bryncoch (4228)2 Bryncoch (4235)2

vote share Turnout 45.2 11.0 vote share Hobbs I. Lab 1,031 44.2 Hobbs I. Lab 1,210 37.4 Gower G. Lab 808 - Onllwyn (989) Matthews T. Ind 1,032 31.9 Matthews T. Ind 723 31.0 vote share John D. PC 990 30.6 Thomas M. Ind 662 - Griffiths N. PC 421 51.7 Davies G. Lab 968 - John D. PC 577 24.8 Richards D. Lab 394 48.3 Williams P. PC 597 -

Turnout 55.1 13.2 Turnout 82.4 3.3 Turnout 76.3 5.5

Cadoxton (1110) Seven Sisters (1912) Cadoxton (1112) vote share vote share vote share Davies D. Lab 336 55.2 Davies M. PC 701 52.8 Roberts A. Rate 466 62.8 Morgan I. PC 273 44.8 Williams A. Lab 627 47.2 Davies D. Lab 276 37.2

Turnout 54.9 10.3 Turnout 69.5 5.6 Turnout 66.7 25.6

Cilfrew (1119) South ()6 Cilfrew (1121) vote share vote share vote share Morris M. Lab 386 46.7 Emmanuel J. Lab 1,729 43.9 Morris M. Lab 356 45.5 Rees T. Ind 252 30.5 Cotton W. Lab 1,629 - Rees T. Ind 177 22.6 Thomas J. PC 188 22.8 Eton G. Lab 1,611 - Thresher E. Ind 149 19.0 John D. Lab 1,569 - Dawe B. PC 101 12.9 Turnout 73.8 16.2 Hopes W. Lab 1,567 - Rees G. Lab 1,385 - Turnout 69.8 22.9 Coedffranc (6403)4 Jenkins G. Comm 1,218 30.9 2 vote share Bracey O. Rate 992 25.2 Clyne (2814) Thomas M. Ind 2,465 36.0 Gallanders R. Rate 856 - vote share Ball L. Lab 1,618 23.6 Pritchard W. Comm 716 - Rees R. Ind 1,444 60.0 Bennett R. Lab 1,363 - Bennett C. Rate 708 - Jeffreys M. Lab 963 40.0 Day R. Lab 1,320 - Ferris W. Comm 559 - Langdon R. Lab 727 - Morgan G. Comm 1,277 18.7 Strangeword E. Comm 417 - Dilks M. Ind 333 - Williams A. Lab 1,196 -

Matthews E. Ind 1,185 - Turnout 0.0 13.0 Turnout 85.5 20.0 Wilsher J. Ind 1,150 - 4 Phillips T. PC 974 14.2 Tomawr () Coedffranc (6413) Hames A. Ind Soc 511 7.5 vote share vote share Morgan G. Lab 0 0.0 Thomas M. Ind 2,599 47.3 Turnout 106.9 12.4 Bennett R. Lab 1,768 32.2

Turnout 0.0 0.0 Ball L. Lab 1,761 - Dulais Higher Lower () Day R. Lab 1,436 - vote share Tonna (1877) Florence D. Lab 1,347 - James C. Lab 573 51.6 vote share Phillips G. PC 1,131 20.6 Davies D. Ind Lab 538 48.4 Hopkins C. Lab 850 77.6 Lewis M. PC 1,053 - Davies W. PC 245 22.4 Griffiths M. PC 907 - Turnout 0.0 3.2 Hames H. PC 843 -

Turnout 58.3 55.3 Dyffryn Clydach () Turnout 85.7 15.1 vote share O'Connor M. Lab 844 74.3 Crynant (1545) Watkins L. PC 292 25.7 vote share James C. Lab 634 60.6 Turnout 0.0 48.6 Bufton K. PC 413 39.4

Neath Higher ()2 Turnout 67.8 21.1 vote share Adams L. Ind 1,336 60.4 Glynneath (3749)2 Thomas B. Lab 877 39.6 vote share Dyer R. Lab 752 - Adams L. Ind 1,520 56.1 Evans T. PC 602 22.2 Turnout 0.0 20.7 Thomas B. Lab 588 21.7 Williams M. Lab 406 - Jones M. Ind 317 -

Turnout 72.3 33.9

Results of the Welsh District Elections 1973-1991 1

Neath Abbey (2096) Ward 11 (970) Ward 6 (6330)4 vote share vote share vote share O'Connor M. Lab 668 54.4 Lewis M. Lab 536 63.1 Bennett R. Lab 3,453 62.6 Thomas H. PC 561 45.6 Evans I. PC 313 36.9 Day R. Lab 2,959 - Florance D. Lab 2,916 - Turnout 58.6 8.7 Turnout 87.5 26.3 Williams W. Lab 2,811 - Morgan G. Comm 2,067 37.4 6 Neath South (8308) Ward 12 (1931) vote share vote share Turnout 87.2 25.1 Gallanders R. Rate 1,571 32.7 Davies M. PC 892 53.9 Rees D. Rate 1,452 - Bartlett-Aze B. Lab 763 46.1 Ward 7 (3675)2 Cotton W. Lab 1,440 29.9 vote share Emanuel E. Lab 1,408 - Turnout 85.7 7.8 Adams L. Ind 1,968 43.9 Dickinson V. Rate 1,404 - Williams L. Lab 1,549 34.5 Walters D. Rate 1,382 - Ward 13 (1609) Evans T. PC 971 21.6 Eaton G. Lab 1,367 - vote share Williams M. Lab 853 - John G. Lab 1,343 - James C. Lab 872 63.7 Hores W. Lab 1,245 - Williams W. PC 496 36.3 Turnout 122.1 9.3 Sly R. PC 1,212 25.2 Maccathall B. PC 1,116 - Turnout 85.0 27.5 Ward 8 (1960) Rees G. Lab 1,006 - vote share Pritchard W. Comm 586 12.2 Ward 14 (1239) Davies-Andrews R. Lab 0 0.0 vote share Turnout 57.9 2.7 Morris M. Lab 0 0.0 Turnout 0.0 0.0

North (6759)4 Turnout 0.0 0.0 Ward 9 (2779)2 vote share vote share Davies L. Rate 1,826 42.0 Ward 15 (1167) Langdon F. Lab 0 - Leitz J. Rate 1,754 - vote share Jeffreys M. Lab 0 0.0 Bennett C. Rate 1,702 - Roberts A. Rate 540 55.1 Hemming G. Rate 1,399 - George J. Lab 440 44.9 Turnout 0.0 0.0 Warman J. Lab 1,375 31.6 Curtis I. PC 1,144 26.3 Turnout 84.0 10.2 Phillips P. Lab 1,122 - Teale R. Lab 1,088 - Ward 16 (4430)2 Neath 1983 Jones D. Lab 996 - vote share

Hobbs I. Lab 2,222 60.2 Turnout 64.3 10.4 Palmer K. Lab 1,528 - John D. PC 1,467 39.8 Aberdulais (1484) Onllwyn (991) Cockwell L. PC 1,281 - vote share Fletcher E. Lab 0 0.0 vote share Lewis M. Lab 406 54.9 Turnout 83.3 20.5 Griffiths N. PC 334 45.1 Turnout 0.0 0.0 6 Ward 2 (8222) Turnout 74.7 9.7 vote share Blaengwrach (1683) Cotton W. Lab 3,388 50.6 vote share Seven Sisters (1915) Eaton G. Lab 3,302 - Davies D. Lab 0 0.0 vote share Emanuel J. Lab 2,978 - Davies M. PC 877 64.1 Davies D. Lab 2,811 - Turnout 0.0 0.0 Morgan H. Lab 492 35.9 Bracey O. Rate 2,542 38.0 Briton Ferry East (2577)2 Henrywood C. Lab 2,539 - Turnout 71.5 28.1 Kelly R. Lab 2,329 - vote share Gallanders R. Rate 2,237 - Brown W. Lab 709 53.5 Tonna (1880) Jenkins G. Rate 2,059 - Morgan C. Ind 616 46.5 vote share Walters D. Rate 1,913 - Atherton S. Lab 578 - Davies-Andrews Lab 540 48.0 Rees D. Rate 1,905 - Hopkins K. Rate 467 41.5 Webb D. Rate 1,662 - Turnout 51.4 7.0 Dawe A. PC 118 10.5 Pritchard W. Comm 766 11.4 Briton Ferry West (3092)2

Turnout 59.8 6.5 Turnout 81.4 12.6 vote share Davies W. Lab 648 46.6 Ward 3 (5175)4 Tudor S. PC 587 42.2 vote share Jay B. Lab 583 - Neath 1979 Brown W. Lab 2,038 40.2 Fellows D. Green 156 11.2 Davies W. Lab 1,888 - Powell A. Lab 1,886 - Turnout 45.0 4.4

4 Tudor S. PC 1,852 36.5 Ward 1 (6830) Moule M. Lab 1,751 - Bryn-Coch North (2018) vote share Gould R. PC 1,346 - vote share Bennett C. Rate 2,450 41.1 Evans S. Rate 1,179 23.3 Morgan J. PC 711 67.6 Thomas H. Lab 2,365 39.6 Williams J. PC 1,156 - Jones K. Lab 340 32.4 Warman J. Lab 2,328 - Evans G. Rate 1,020 - Davies R. Rate 2,300 - Turnout 52.1 35.3 Leitz J. Rate 2,242 - Turnout 98.0 3.7 2 Hemming E. Rate 2,139 - Bryn-Coch South (2859) Teale R. Lab 2,092 - Ward 4 (1063) vote share Blackmore D. Lab 1,965 - vote share Hobbs I. Ms. Lab 1,031 52.7 Curtis I. PC 1,151 19.3 Britton F. Lab 794 85.8 Palmer K. Lab 755 - Hole A. Rate 131 14.2 Jones R. Rate 359 18.4 Turnout 87.3 1.4 Richards G. PC 316 16.2

Turnout 87.0 71.7 Wilkins T. SDP 250 12.8 Ward 10 (997) vote share Ward 5 (2041) Turnout 68.4 34.4 Thomas D. Lab 0 0.0 vote share O'Connor M. Lab 914 53.7 Cadoxton (1202) Turnout 0.0 0.0 Thomas H. PC 574 33.7 vote share Gibson R. Rate 215 12.6 Hughes G. Lab 382 57.5 Mellin D. Rate 282 42.5

Turnout 83.4 20.0 Turnout 55.2 15.1

2 Local Elections Handbook 1973-1991

Cimla (2862)2 Onllwyn (999) Cimla (3037)2 vote share vote share vote share Warman J. SDP 466 37.5 Lewis M. Ms. Lab 0 0.0 Warman J. ALL 880 54.4 Teale R. Lab 397 31.9 Teale R. Lab 738 45.6 Jenkins G. Rate 381 30.6 Turnout 0.0 0.0 Williams C. ALL 553 - Blackmore D. Lab 357 - Blackmore D. Lab 514 - Evans S. Rate 225 - Pelenna (1069) vote share Turnout 53.3 8.8 Turnout 43.5 5.5 Britton F. Lab 0 0.0 2 Coedffranc Central (3139) Coedffranc Central (3036)2 Turnout 0.0 0.0 vote share vote share Bennett R. Lab 995 45.0 Bennett R. Lab 896 46.8 Resolven (2751)2 Morgan G. Comm 844 38.2 Dudley F. Lab 836 - vote share Bevan H. Lab 765 - Morgan G. Comm 725 37.8 Langdon F. Lab 906 68.4 Evans E. ALL 372 16.8 Davies F. SDP 295 15.4 Williams D. Lab 890 - Dilks M. SDP 418 31.6 Turnout 70.4 6.8 Turnout 63.1 8.9 Turnout 48.1 36.9 Coedffranc North (1830) Coedffranc North (1832) vote share vote share Seven Sisters (1945) Davies D. ALL 689 62.5 Day R. Lab 494 54.2 vote share Florence D. Lab 414 37.5 Davies D. SDP 417 45.8 Lloyd P. Lab 657 53.8 Davies M. PC 564 46.2 Turnout 60.3 24.9 Turnout 49.7 8.5 Turnout 62.8 7.6 Coedffranc West (1639) Coedffranc West (1640) vote share vote share Tonna (1640) Williams W. Lab 537 61.6 Williams W. Lab 508 66.8 vote share Herbert A. Ind 335 38.4 Phillips T. PC 162 21.3 Davies-Andrews R. Lab 0 0.0 Evans E. SDP 91 12.0 Turnout 53.2 23.2 Turnout 0.0 0.0 Turnout 46.4 45.5 Crynant (1628) vote share Crynant (1584) James C. Lab 0 0.0 vote share Neath 1987 James C. Lab 725 76.1 Turnout 0.0 0.0 Williams W. PC 228 23.9

Dyffryn (2307) Turnout 60.2 52.2 Aberdulais (1487) vote share vote share O'Connor M. Lab 788 56.0 Dyffryn (2226) Jones E. Lab 750 84.7 Thomas L. PC 619 44.0 Lewis D. PC 136 15.3 vote share O'Connor M. Lab 761 62.8 Turnout 61.0 12.0 Absalom S. PC 451 37.2 Turnout 59.6 69.3 2 Glynneath (3029) Turnout 54.4 25.6 Blaengwrach (1686) vote share vote share Rowlands G. Lab 1,063 47.3 Glynneath (3050)2 Davies D. Lab 0 0.0 Samuel H. Lab 911 - vote share Morgan J. PC 692 30.8 Williams L. Lab 928 44.6 Turnout 0.0 0.0 Mead A. ALL 490 21.8

Rowlands G. Ind 865 41.6 2 Hill E. Lab 667 - Briton Ferry East (2558) Turnout 74.1 16.5 Williams E. Lib 287 13.8 vote share Morgan C. Lab 934 68.7 3 Neath East (4966) Turnout 68.2 3.0 Brown W. Lab 817 - vote share Parry K. ALL 426 31.3 Cotton W. Lab 1,645 64.4 Neath East (5007)3 Davies D. Lab 1,474 - vote share Turnout 53.2 37.4 Henrywood O. Lab 1,458 -

Cotton W. Lab 1,341 75.9 2 King G. ALL 571 22.4 Henrywood C. Lab 1,186 - Briton Ferry West (2779) Maccathail B. PC 338 13.2 vote share Davie D. Lab 1,124 - Rees D. Rate 426 24.1 Chambers C. Lab 784 46.8 Turnout 51.4 42.1 Evans G. Rate 425 - Atherton S. Lab 760 - Jones G. Rate 354 - Tudor S. PC 718 42.8 Neath North (3301)2 Fellows D. Ind 174 10.4 vote share Turnout 35.3 51.8 Thomas H. Lab 1,040 62.3 Turnout 60.3 3.9 Dummer J. Lab 854 - Neath North (3294)2 Warlow B. ALL 456 27.3 vote share Bryn-Coch North (2000) Price A. ALL 404 - Thomas H. Lab 903 65.4 vote share Morgan K. PC 173 10.4 Mathews E. Lab 421 39.9 Dummer J. Lab 724 - Bennett C. Rate 477 34.6 Cockwell L. PC 400 38.0 Turnout 50.6 35.0 Leitz J. Rate 458 - Reed K. ALL 233 22.1 3 Neath South (3843) Turnout 41.9 30.9 Turnout 52.7 2.0 vote share

2 Eaton G. Lab 1,030 67.1 Neath South (4014)3 Bryn-Coch South (2871) Williams W. Lab 909 - vote share vote share Kelly R. Lab 904 - Eaton G. Lab 893 53.8 Hobbs I. Ms. Lab 1,077 55.0 Marston S. ALL 505 32.9 Palmer K. Lab 832 - Jenkins F. Lab 772 - Kelly R. Lab 704 - Richards G. PC 454 23.2 Turnout 39.9 34.2 Davies E. Rate 486 29.3 Wilkins T. ALL 428 21.8 Williams G. Rate 452 - Onllwyn (1001) Webb D. Rate 358 - Turnout 68.2 31.8 vote share Sims D. SDP 282 17.0 Lewis M. Ms. Lab 0 0.0 Cadoxton (1184)

Turnout 41.4 24.5 vote share Turnout 0.0 0.0 Hughes G. Lab 567 81.1 Harvey A. ALL 132 18.9

Turnout 59.0 62.2

Results of the Welsh District Elections 1973-1991 3

Pelenna (1071) Coedffranc Central (3242)2 Seven Sisters (1849) vote share vote share vote share George W. Lab 560 80.2 Morgan G.* Comm 938 42.2 Lloyd P.* Lab 0 0.0 Gale R. ALL 138 19.8 Florance D. Lab 787 35.4 David V. Lab 595 - Turnout 0.0 0.0 Turnout 65.2 60.5 Whomes J. Ind 250 11.2 Williams V. Ind Lab 248 11.2 Tonna (1647) 2 Resolven (2699) vote share vote share Turnout 49.0 6.8 Boulden R.* Ind 648 69.6 Williams D. Lab 0 - Nicholas J. Lab 283 30.4 Langdon F. Lab 0 0.0 Coedffranc North (1828) vote share Turnout 57.0 39.2 Turnout 0.0 0.0 Davies D.* SDP 574 63.1 Demery W. Lab 335 36.9 Seven Sisters (1897) vote share Turnout 50.0 26.3 Lloyd P. Lab 0 0.0 Coedffranc West (1639) Turnout 0.0 0.0 vote share Williams W.* Lab 471 50.3 Tonna (1643) Pudner D. Ind 465 49.7 vote share Davies-Andrews R. Lab 692 73.5 Turnout 58.0 0.6 Price P. ALL 250 26.5 Crynant (1672) Turnout 57.3 46.9 vote share Harper A.* Lab 0 0.0

Turnout 0.0 0.0 Neath 1991 Dyffryn (2388) vote share Absalom S. PC 788 62.7 Aberdulais (1490) O'Connor M.* Lab 469 37.3 vote share

Jones E.* Lab 701 86.0 Turnout 52.9 25.4 Harman J. Ms. Green PC 114 14.0 Glynneath (3008)2 Turnout 55.0 72.0 vote share Morgan J. PC 856 50.4 Blaengwrach (1690) Rowlands G.* Lab 843 49.6 vote share Samuel H.* Lab 766 - Davies D.* Lab 0 0.0 Lewis H. PC 649 -

Turnout 0.0 0.0 Turnout 55.0 0.8

2 Briton Ferry East (2540) Neath East (4925)3 vote share vote share Morgan C.* Lab 787 51.8 Davies D.* Lab 0 - Tudor S. Ms.* PC 733 48.2 Henrywood C.* Lab 0 0.0 Watkins W. Lab 551 - Cotton W.* Lab 0 -

Turnout 47.0 3.6 Turnout 0.0 0.0

2 Briton Ferry West (2467) Neath North (3308)2 vote share vote share Atherton S.* Lab 0 - Thomas H.* Lab 0 0.0 Chambers C.* Lab 0 0.0 Dummer J.* Lab 0 -

Turnout 0.0 0.0 Turnout 0.0 0.0

Bryn-Coch North (1983) Neath South (3672)3 vote share vote share Cockwell L. PC 463 52.6 Rees P. Lab 767 57.5 Davies A. Lab 418 47.4 Kelly R.* Lab 766 - Penry S. Ms. Lab 717 - Turnout 45.0 5.1 Morley H. SDP 567 42.5

2 Bryn-Coch South (2884) Turnout 37.0 15.0 vote share Hobbs I. Ms.* Lab 1,026 62.9 Onllwyn (1004) Palmer K.* Lab 723 - vote share Richards G. PC 605 37.1 Lewis M. Ms.* Lab 0 0.0

Turnout 46.0 25.8 Turnout 0.0 0.0

Cadoxton (1166) Pelenna (1074) vote share vote share Hughes G.* Lab 0 0.0 George W.* Lab 0 0.0

Turnout 0.0 0.0 Turnout 0.0 0.0

2 Cimla (3212) Resolven (2648)2 vote share vote share Warman J.* SDP 989 59.5 Williams D.* Lab 877 44.9 Teale R.* Lab 673 40.5 Jones D. PC 650 33.3 Blackmore D. Lab 443 - Dilks M. Lab 535 - Morgan G. Ms. Ind 426 21.8 Turnout 43.0 19.0

Turnout 54.3 11.6

4 Local Elections Handbook 1973-1991