Aberaman (electoral ward)

The community of Aberaman, Rhondda Cynon Taf was an electoral ward for much of the twentieth century, for the purposes of electing members to Glamorgan County Council and the Aberdare Urban District Council. It currently comprises two electoral wards, Aberaman North and Aberaman South, for the purposes of electing members to the Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council. Aberaman North is composed mainly of Aberaman itself while Aberaman South includes Abercwmboi, Cwmaman, Godreaman and Glynhafod.

Aberaman first became an electoral ward in the late nineteenth century with the formation of Glamorgan County Council. Aberaman was also one of the five electoral wards of the Aberdare Urban District Council from its formation in 1894. The other wards were Aberdare Town, Blaengwawr, Gadlys and Llwydcoed.

History 1889-1914

Representation of the ward in the 1890s was dominated by supporters of the Liberal Party although elections were often not fought on political lines and the local influence and standing of individual candidates was an important factor. This enabled Edmund Mills Hann, a prominent figure in the Powell Duffryn company, although unsuccessful at county level in 1889, to hold a seat on the Aberdare UDC for most of this period. Significantly he continued to hold a seat at Aberaman after the Labour Party captured several of the district seats in the early years of the new century. One of the most significant contests was that in 1903 (see below) for the Aberdare UDC when William Rees, a Labour candidate and deacon, unseated Thomas Humphreys, minister of Seion, Cwmaman.

Glamorgan County Council 1889-1914

In 1889, Thomas Philip White was elected as Liberal member for Aberaman, defeating Edmund Mills Hann. This contest was widely reported and was a significant victory for a local tradesman, T.P. White, over a leading colliery official who later became a prominent figure in the South Wales and Monmouthshire Coalowners' Association. White had been chosen as Liberal candidate after a public meeting at Saron Chapel, Aberaman. In a letter to the press he referred to pressure from colliery officials and sought to re-assure the electors that there was a secret ballot.[1]

Aberaman 1889
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Thomas Phillip White 769 61.6
Conservative Edmund Mills Hann 480 38.4
Majority 289 23.2
Liberal win (new seat)

The result of the first election was regarded with surprise in some quarters and one local newspaper predicted that would be successful in the by-election.[2] He was, however, defeated by Thomas Davies of Abercwmboi.[3]

Aberaman by-election 1889
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Thomas Davies 675
Conservative Edmund Mills Hann 549
Majority 126
Liberal hold Swing

Thomas Davies was re-elected in 1892. Following the elevation of T.P. White to the aldermanic bench. White had moved from Cwmaman to Maesycymmer during the intervening period and did not seek re-election.

Aberaman 1892
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Thomas Davies* unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Davies was again re-elected in 1895. He was opposed by Thomas Rees, landlord of the Swan Hotel, Aberaman and elected a member of the Aberdare Urban District Council at the inaugural 1894 election. The Merthyr Times opined that there was no necessity for a contest, and that the unsuccessful candidate had wasted his time and money.[4]

Aberaman 1895
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Thomas Davies* 481
Independent Thomas Rees 375
Majority 106
Liberal hold Swing

The results for 1898 and 1901 are unavailable but by 1904, Luther Davies, a manager at the Aberaman Colliery had taken over as the county councillor for Aberaman.

Aberaman 1904
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Thomas Luther Davies unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Davies was again re-elected unopposed in 1907

Aberaman 1907
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Thomas Luther Davies* unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Despite the challenge of the Labour Party at district council level, including a significant impact at Aberaman (see below), labour did not challenge for the county seat in this period.

Aberdare Urban District Council

Aberaman was also an electoral ward of the Aberdare Urban District Council from its formation in 1894.

Aberaman Ward 1894
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Edmund Mills Hann 697
Rev Thomas Humphreys 645
Thomas Rees 428
Lib-Lab Phillip Daniel Rees 368

Thomas Rees, landlord of the Swan Inn, Aberaman and a long-standing member of the Aberdare Local Board of Health prior to the formation of the district council, had run unsuccessfully for the county council the previous year but had been defeated by the sitting member, Thomas Davies of Abercwmboi. Hr narrowly held hid seat against another Liberal candidate.[5]

Aberaman Ward 1896
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Thomas Rees* 583
Liberal Dr D. Davies Jones 561

In 1899 there was a four-cornered contest.[6]

Aberaman Ward
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
John Bucknell 481
James Ray 302
John Williams 257
John Reardon 213
Josiah Hawk 53

In 1900, Thomas Humphreys was again returned unopposed.

Aberaman Ward 1900
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Rev Thomas Humphreys* unopposed

In 1901, E.M. Hann was opposed by a Labour candidate.

Aberaman Ward 1901
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Edmund Mills Hann* 1,025
Labour T.R. Edwards 411

The 1902 election saw John Bucknell re-elected.

Aberaman Ward 1902
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
John Bucknell* 830
J. Davies 683
Majority 392

In 1903 Thomas Humphreys was defeated, having been criticised for his lack of support for the working classes.

Aberaman Ward
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour William Rees 1,013 65.9
Liberal Rev Thomas Humphreys* 525 34.1

The creation of a second seat in 1904 saw the return of Charles Stanton alongside E.M. Hann. The vicar of Aberaman was beaten into third place.

Aberaman Ward
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Edmund Mills Hann* 1,156
Labour Charles B. Stanton 796
Morgan Powell 565

On John Bucknell's retirement in 1905, the vicar made another attempt to win the seat but was defeated by a Labour candidate.

Aberaman Ward 1905
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour John Davies 862
Morgan Powell 601
John Evans 20
Majority 261

21st century

Aberaman currently has two wards, Aberaman North and Aberaman South for the purposes of Rhondda Cynon Taf unitary authority elections. Since 1995 it has been represented by Plaid Cymru and Labour councillors.

References
  1. "Aberdar. Etholiad Ward Rhif 4". Tarian y Gweithiwr. 13 December 1888. Retrieved 30 April 2014.
  2. "District Notes". Aberdare Times. 9 February 1889. Retrieved 7 January 2014.
  3. "County Council Election". Aberdare Times. 23 February 1889. Retrieved 7 January 2014.
  4. "County Council Elections". Merthyr Times. 7 March 1895. Retrieved 30 April 2014.
  5. "Parish Council Elections". Cardiff Times. 4 April 1896. Archived from the original on 12 May 2014. Retrieved 11 May 2014.
  6. "Aberdar". Tarian y Gweithiwr. 7 April 1899. Retrieved 3 May 2014.
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