Llanelli (UK Parliament constituency)

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Llanelli
County constituency
for the House of Commons
120px
Boundary of Llanelli in Wales.
Preserved county Dyfed
Electorate 59,266 (December 2010)[1]
Major settlements Llanelli, Burry Port, Llangennech
Current constituency
Created 1918
Member of parliament Nia Griffith (Labour)
Number of members One
Created from East Carmarthenshire (UK Parliament constituency)
Overlaps
Welsh Assembly Mid and West Wales
European Parliament constituency Wales

Llanelli is a constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. From 1918 to 1970 the official spelling of the constituency name was Llanelly. It elects one Member of Parliament (MP) by the first past the post system of election.

The Llanelli Welsh Assembly constituency was created with the same boundaries in 1999.

Boundaries

1918 The constituency was established in 1918, as a division of Carmarthenshire, located in the south east of the county. This area had, until 1918, been the southern part of the constituency of East Carmarthenshire.

It consisted of the then local authority areas of the Municipal Borough of Llanelly; the Urban Districts of Ammanford, Burry Port and Cwmamman; the Rural Districts of Lanelly and part of Llandilofawr (namely the civil parishes of Betws, Llandybie and Quarter Bach, and Ward I of the civil parish of Llandilo Rural)[2]

The division bordered Carmarthen to the west and north, Brecon and Radnor to the north east, Neath to the east, Gower to the south east and the sea to the south.

1950 In the next redistribution of constituencies in Wales, which took effect in 1950, the northern boundary of the constituency was slightly altered. Llanelly no longer bordered Brecon and Radnor and Gower was extended north and took over the part of the 1918 Neath constituency that had previously adjoined Carmarthenshire. The constituency area continued to include the same local authorities as in 1918 (apart from a spelling change to Llandilo for the part RDC included):[3]

  • The borough of Llanelly;
  • The urban districts of Ammanford, Burry Port and Cwmamman;
  • The rural district of Llanelly and the parish of Bettws in the rural district of Llandilo.

At the 1970 general election the official spelling of the constituency name was altered to Llanelli.[4] This followed the change in name of the both the borough and rural district in 1966.[5][6][7]

1974 The constituency appears to have been unchanged by the redistribution. The local authorities remained the same (apart from spelling changes):

  • The borough of Llanelli;
  • the urban districts of Ammanford, Burry Port and Cwmamman;
  • the rural district of Llanelli and the parish of Bettws in the rural district of Llandeilo.[8]

The substantial local government changes which took effect in 1974 did not affect this redistribution as it used the boundaries as they existed in November 1970 to construct parliamentary constituencies.[8]

1983 The redistribution altered the constituency by 8.4%. 96.2% of the new constituency had been in the old one. 3.8% of the electors came from the former Carmarthen constituency.

The area now formed part of the new county of Dyfed. The district level local government units contained in the constituency were the Borough of Llanelli and Wards 2-6 and 9 of the Borough of Dinefwr.

1997 In this redistribution the constituency was reduced so that it covered the same area as the Borough of Llanelli.

2010 After the United Kingdom general election, in May 2010, the constituency has comprised the Carmarthenshire County electoral divisions of Bigyn, Burry Port, Bynea, Dafen, Elli, Felinfoel, Glanymor, Glyn, Hendy, Hengoed, Kidwelly, Llangennech, Llannon, Lliedi, Llwynhendy, Pembrey, Pontyberem, Swiss Valley, Trimsaran, Tycroes and Tyisha.

The constituency includes the whole of 9 Carmarthenshire communities (Kidwelly; Llanedi; Llanelli; Llanelli Rural; Llangennech; Llannon; Pembrey and Burry Port Town; Pontyberem; and Trimsaran).

Members of Parliament

Election Member[9] Party
1918 Josiah Towyn Jones Coalition Liberal
1922 John Henry Williams Labour
1936 by-election Jim Griffiths Labour
1970 Denzil Davies Labour
2005 Nia Griffith Labour

History

Llanelli has traditionally been an ultra-safe Labour seat, with a Labour MP representing the constituency since 1922. It was represented by one-time deputy leader of the Labour Party, Jim Griffiths, from 1936 until his retirement in 1970. In recent years however Labour's majority has been somewhat eroded by Plaid Cymru, who have won the equivalent seat in the Welsh Assembly at two of the four Assembly elections to date. At the 2015 General Election, however, the Labour majority increased once again.

Elections

Elections in the 2010s

General Election 2015: Llanelli [10] [11] [12][13][14][15][16][17][18]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Nia Griffith 15,948 41.3 −1.1
Plaid Cymru Vaughan Williams 8,853 23.0 −7.0
UKIP Kenneth Rees 6,269 16.3 +13.5
Conservative Selaine Saxby 5,534 14.3 0.0
Liberal Democrat Cen Phillips 751 1.9 −8.5
Green Guy Smith 689 1.8 N/A
People First Siân Caiach 407 1.1 N/A
TUSC Scott Jones 123 0.3 N/A
Majority 7,095 18.4 +5.9
Turnout 38,574 64.5 -2.8
Labour hold Swing +2.9
General Election 2010: Llanelli[19]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Nia Griffith 15,916 42.5 −4.5
Plaid Cymru Myfanwy Davies 11,215 29.9 +3.5
Conservative Christopher Salmon 5,381 14.4 +0.7
Liberal Democrat Myrddin Edwards 3,902 10.4 −2.5
UKIP Andrew Marshall 1,047 2.8 N/A
Majority 4,701 12.5
Turnout 37,461 67.3 +3.4
Labour hold Swing −4.0

Elections in the 2000s

General Election 2005: Llanelli
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Nia Griffith 16,592 46.9 −1.7
Plaid Cymru Neil Baker 9,358 26.5 −4.4
Conservative Adrian Phillips 4,844 13.7 +4.2
Liberal Democrat Ken Rees 4,550 12.9 +4.4
Majority 7,234 20.5
Turnout 35,344 63.5 +1.2
Labour hold Swing +1.4
General Election 2001: Llanelli
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Denzil Davies 17,586 48.6 −9.3
Plaid Cymru Dyfan Jones 11,183 30.9 +11.9
Conservative Simon Hayes 3,442 9.5 −2.6
Liberal Democrat Ken Rees 3,065 8.5 −0.7
Green Jan Cliff 515 1.4 N/A
Socialist Labour John Willock 407 1.1 −0.7
Majority 6,403 17.7
Turnout 36,198 62.3 −8.4
Labour hold Swing

Elections in the 1990s

General election 1997: Llanelli
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Denzil J. D. Davies 28,851 57.9 +2.9
Plaid Cymru Marc Phillips 7,812 19.0 +3.4
Conservative Andrew Hayes 5,003 12.1 −4.8
Liberal Democrat Nick Burree 3,788 9.2 −3.5
Socialist Labour John Willock 757 1.8 N/A
Turnout 41,211 70.7 −7.1
Majority 16,039 38.9 +0.9
Labour hold Swing −0.3
General election 1992: Llanelli[20]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Denzil J. D. Davies 27,802 55.0 −4.2
Conservative Graham L. Down 8,532 16.9 −0.3
Plaid Cymru Marc Phillips 7,878 15.6 +5.4
Liberal Democrat Keith L. Evans 6,404 12.7 −0.8
Turnout 50,616 77.8 −0.3
Majority 19,270 38.0 −4.0
Labour hold Swing −2.0

Elections in the 1980s

General election 1987: Llanelli
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Denzil J. D. Davies 29,506 59.2 +11.0
Conservative Philip James Circus 8,571 17.2 −2.8
SDP–Liberal Alliance (Liberal) Martyn John Shrewsbury 6,714 13.5 −5.4
Plaid Cymru Adrian Price 5,088 10.2 −2.0
Turnout 49,879 78.1 +2.7
Majority 20,935 42.0 +13.7
Labour hold
General election 1983: Llanelli
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Denzil J. D. Davies 23,207 48.2 −11.3
Conservative N. Kennedy 9,601 20.0 −0.5
SDP–Liberal Alliance (Liberal) K.D. Rees 9,076 18.9 +7.4
Plaid Cymru Hywel Teifi Edwards 5,880 12.2 +4.8
Communist Robert E Hitchon 371 0.8 −0.4
Turnout 48,135 75.4 −4.0
Majority 13,606 28.3 −10.7
Labour hold

Elections in the 1970s

United Kingdom general election, 1979: Llanelli
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Denzil J. D. Davies 30,416 59.5 +0.1
Conservative G D J Richards 10,471 20.5 +8.1
Liberal K D Rees 5,856 11.5 -3.0
Plaid Cymru H Roberts 3,793 7.4 -6.3
Communist Robert E Hitchon 617 1.2 N/A
Turnout 51,153 79.4 +2.6
Majority 19,945 39.0 -6.0
Labour hold
United Kingdom general election, October 1974: Llanelli
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Denzil J. D. Davies 29,474 59.4 +2.6
Liberal E J Evans 7,173 14.5 +0.2
Plaid Cymru R Williams 6,797 13.7 +1.7
Conservative G Richards 6,141 12.4 -2.6
Turnout 49,585 76.9 -0.4
Majority 22,301 45.0 -1.0
Labour hold
United Kingdom general election, February 1974: Llanelli
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Denzil J. D. Davies 28,941 57.8 -5.0
Conservative G Richards 7,496 15.0 +3.4
Liberal E J Evans 7,140 14.3 +6.6
Plaid Cymru R Williams 6,060 12.0 -4.8
Communist Robert E Hitchon 507 1.0 -0.2
Turnout 49,999 77.3 +1.1
Majority 23,011 46.0 -10.3
Labour hold
United Kingdom general election, 1970: Llanelli
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Denzil J. D. Davies 31,398 62.8 -8.6
Plaid Cymru Carwyn James 8,387 16.8 +5.9
Conservative Miss Mary A Jones 5,777 11.6 -3.6
Liberal Donald Lewis 3,834 7.7 N/A
Communist Robert E Hitchon 603 1.2 -1.4
Turnout 49,999 77.3 +1.1
Majority 23,011 46.0 -10.3
Labour hold

Elections in the 1960s

United Kingdom general election, 1966: Llanelly
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour James Griffiths 33,674 71.4 +5.9
Conservative Jeremy C Peel 7,143 15.2 +2.4
Plaid Cymru W T Pennar Davies 5,132 10.9 +3.9
Communist Robert E Hitchon 1,211 2.6 +0.4
Turnout 47,160 76.2 -3.2
Majority 26,531 56.3 +3.2
Labour hold
United Kingdom general election, 1964: Llanelly
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour James Griffiths 32,546 65.9 +0.8
Conservative Philip A Maybury 6,300 12.8 -6.7
Liberal Esyr G Lewis 6,031 12.2 N/A
Plaid Cymru W T Pennar Davies 3,469 7.0 -6.8
Communist Robert E Hitchon 1,061 2.2 N/A
Turnout 59,407 79.4 -1.7
Majority 26,246 53.1 +5.9
Labour hold

Elections in the 1950s

United Kingdom general election, 1959: Llanelly
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour James Griffiths 34,625 66.7 +0.1
Conservative Henry Gardner 10,128 19.5 -0.7
Plaid Cymru David Eirwyn Morgan 7,176 13.8 +1.3
Turnout 51,929 81.1 -0.5
Majority 24,497 47.2 -4.6
Labour hold
United Kingdom general election, 1955: Llanelly
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour James Griffiths 34,021 66.6 -5.9
Conservative Trevor Herbert Harry Skeet 10,640 20.8 +0.2
Plaid Cymru David Eirwyn Morgan 6,398 12.5 +5.6
Turnout 51,059 78.7 -2.9
Majority 23,381 45.8 -6.0
Labour hold
United Kingdom general election, 1951: Llanelly
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour James Griffiths 39,731 72.5 +1.7
Conservative Henry Gardner 11,315 20.6 +9.1
Plaid Cymru David Eirwyn Morgan 3,765 6.9 +3.1
Turnout 54,811 81.6 +0.7
Majority 28,416 51.8 -5.2
Labour hold
United Kingdom general election, 1950: Llanelly
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour James Griffiths 39,326 70.8 -10.3
Liberal Hywel Gruffydd Thomas 7,700 13.9 N/A
Conservative D. P. Owen 6,362 11.5 -7.4
Plaid Cymru David Eirwyn Morgan 2,134 3.8 N/A
Turnout 55,522 80.9 +6
Majority 31,626 57.0 -5.1
Labour hold

Elections in the 1940s

United Kingdom general election, 1945: Llanelly Electorate 73,385
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Jim Griffiths 44,514 81.1 +14.2
Conservative G O George 10,397 18.9 N/A
Turnout 54,911 74.9
Majority 34,117 62.2 +28.3
Turnout 74.8
Labour hold

Elections in the 1930s

Llanelli by-election, 1936 Electorate 70,380
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Jim Griffiths 32,188 66.8 N/A
Liberal National William Albert Jenkins 15,967 33.3 N/A
Majority 16,221 33.5 N/A
Turnout 68.4
Labour hold Swing
United Kingdom general election, 1935: Llanelly Electorate
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Dr. John Henry Williams Unopposed N/A N/A
Labour hold Swing
United Kingdom general election, 1931: Llanelly Electorate 67,047
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Dr. John Henry Williams 34,196 65.3 +5.2
Conservative Frank J Rees 18,163 34.7 +26.5
Majority 16,033 30.6 +2.6
Turnout 78.1
Labour hold Swing

Elections in the 1920s

United Kingdom general election, 1929: Llanelly[21]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Dr. John Henry Williams 28,595 55.4 +2.5
Liberal Richard Thomas Evans 19,075 36.9 -10.2
Unionist James Purdon Lewes Thomas 3,969 7.7 n/a
Majority 9,520 18.5 +12.7
Turnout 79.1 +3.4
Labour hold Swing +6.3
United Kingdom general election, 1924: Llanelly[21] Electorate 51,213
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Dr. John Henry Williams 20,516 52.9 -2.8
Liberal Richard Thomas Evans 18,259 47.1 +16.8
Majority 2,259 5.8 -18.2
Turnout 75.7
Labour hold Swing
United Kingdom general election, 1923: Llanelly [21]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour John Henry Williams 21,603 55.1 -3.6
Liberal Richard Thomas Evans 11,765 30.7 -10.4
Unionist Lionel Beaumont Thomas 5,442 14.2 n/a
Majority 9,298 24.4 +5.8
Turnout 76.8 -3.5
Labour hold Swing n/a
United Kingdom general election, 1922: Llanelly [21]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Dr. John Henry Williams 23,213 59.3 +6.2
National Liberal G Clarke Williams 15,947 40.7 -6.2
Majority 7,266 18.6
Turnout 80.3 +11.4
Labour gain from National Liberal Swing

Elections in the 1910s

Towyn Jones
United Kingdom general election, 1918: Llanelly[21] Electorate 44,657
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Coalition Liberal Josiah Towyn Jones 16,344 53.1 N/A
Labour Dr. John Henry Williams 14,409 46.9 N/A
Majority 1,935 6.3 N/A
Turnout 68.9 n/a
Coalition Liberal win (new seat)

See also

Notes and references

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  2. Representation of the People Act 1918, Ninth Schedule, Part II, Parliamentary Counties: Wales and Monmouthshire.
  3. Schedule 1, Representation of the People Act 1948 c.65
  4. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. The borough was renamed on 4 March 1966 and the rural district on 3 May 1966 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. The London Gazette: no. 43915. p. 2444. 4 March 1966.
  7. Llanelli is the spelling Craig uses in his compilation of results from 1950–1973, despite the entry in his book on parliamentary boundaries for the 1950 redistribution following the statute in using Llanelly
  8. 8.0 8.1 The Parliamentary Constituencies (Wales) Order 1970 (1970/1675)
  9. Leigh Rayment's Historical List of MPs – Constituencies beginning with "L" (part 3)[self-published source][better source needed]
  10. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  11. total electorate 59,796 email from Carmarthenshire County Council 27Jul15
  12. http://www.selainesaxby.com/llanelli/4585476005
  13. http://niagriffith.org.uk/about/
  14. http://www.partyofwales.org/news/2014/06/04/local-llanelli-members-select-plaid-cymrus-williams-as-westminster-candidate/
  15. http://rocknrollsocialist.com/2014/11/19/socialist-challenge-in-llanelli
  16. http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/maverick-independent-sian-caiach-contest-8386444
  17. http://www.welshlibdems.wales/cen_phillips
  18. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/constituencies/W07000045
  19. [1] BBC News - Llanelli
  20. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  21. 21.0 21.1 21.2 21.3 21.4 British Parliamentary Election Results 1918-1949, FWS Craig

Further reading

  • Boundaries of Parliamentary Constituencies 1885-1972, compiled and edited by F.W.S. Craig (Political Reference Publications 1972)
  • British Parliamentary Constituencies: A Statistical Compendium, by Ivor Crewe and Anthony Fox (Faber and Faber 1984)

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