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1876 Carmarthen Boroughs by-election

The 1876 Carmarthen Boroughs by-election was fought on 14 August 1876. The by-election was called following the resignation of the incumbent Conservative MP, Charles William Nevill. It was won by the Liberal candidate Arthur Cowell-Stepney,[1] who was returned unopposed.[2]

Background edit

A Liberal seat for decades, Carmarthen Boroughs fell to the Conservatives in 1874 when the octogenarian sitting member, Sir John Stepney, stood down. He was succeeded as Liberal candidate by his son, Arthur, who was not regarded as holding radical views. To general surprise he declared his support for policies such as the disestablishment of the Anglican church in Wales.[3] As a result, Charles Nevill, who resisted calls to oppose the elder Stepney in 1868, entered the fray, and was championed as 'one of the largest employers of labour' in the locality.[4]

During his short parliamentary career, Nevill did not always support Conservative policy. He voted in favour of the extension of the county franchise, and also supported Osborne Morgan's Burials' Bill.[5] On 19 July 1876, Nevill indicated his intention to resign as an MP, in a letter to the Vicar of Carmarthen, the Rev Latimer M. Jones.[5] Nevill cited his business interests as the main reason for his decision.

Candidates edit

A number of possible candidates were initially mentioned, both Conservatives and Liberals. On the Conservative side, Mansel Lewis of Stradey and J.S. Tregoning of Iscoed, Ferryside were mentioned[5] Among the Liberals, potential candidates included Arthur Stepney, W.R.H. Powell of Maesgwynne, who had unsuccessfully contested Carmarthenshire in 1874, B.T. Williams, the Recorder of Carmarthen and Evan Matthew Richards, former member for Cardiganshire. Williams was initially regarded as the most likely candidate.[5]

However, Liberals supporters of Arthur Stepney swiftly took action to select a candidate before their political opponents had any opportunity to fully consider their options. On the morning of 31 July, Arthur Stepney travelled to Carmarthen by train, where he was met by a delegation of prominent liberals who held a formal meeting chaired by the Mayor, David Edwards.[6] That same evening a meeting was held in Llanelli, presided over by John Randell, chairman of the Llanelly Local Board of Health, with Stepney being formally adopted.[7] Stepney's actions not only caught his Conservative opponents unawares but also rival aspirants for the Liberal nomination. B.T. Williams was said to have intended to declare his candidature but withdrew to avoid a division in the ranks, while the claims of Lewis Morris were also ignored.[7]

It was soon apparent that the Conservatives would not field a candidate, and it does not appear that any potential candidates were considered.[8]

Outcome edit

Within a few days it became apparent that Arthur Stepney would be returned unopposed.[9]

Results edit

1876 Carmarthen by-election[10]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Arthur Cowell-Stepney Unopposed
Registered electors
Liberal gain from Conservative

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^
  2. ^ British Parliamentary Election Results 1832-1885 (The Macmillan Press 1977), compiled and edited by F.W.S. Craig, page 503
  3. ^ "The Election (editorial)". Welshman. 30 January 1874.
  4. ^ "Editorial". Carmarthen Journal. 30 January 1874.
  5. ^ a b c d "The Representation of the Carmarthen Boroughs". Western Mail. 31 July 1876. p. 5. Retrieved 5 March 2017.
  6. ^ "The Representation of the Carmarthen Boroughs". Western Mail. 1 August 1876. p. 5. Retrieved 7 March 2017.
  7. ^ a b "The Representation of the Carmarthen Boroughs". Western Mail. 2 August 1876. p. 5. Retrieved 9 March 2017.
  8. ^ "The Representation of the Carmarthen Boroughs". Western Mail. 4 August 1876. p. 5. Retrieved 20 March 2017.
  9. ^ "Editorial". Carmarthen Journal. 4 August 1876.
  10. ^ Craig, F. W. S., ed. (1977). British Parliamentary Election Results 1832-1885 (hardcover) (1st ed.). London: Macmillan Press. p. 503. ISBN 978-1-349-02349-3.

1876, carmarthen, boroughs, election, fought, august, 1876, election, called, following, resignation, incumbent, conservative, charles, william, nevill, liberal, candidate, arthur, cowell, stepney, returned, unopposed, contents, background, candidates, outcome. The 1876 Carmarthen Boroughs by election was fought on 14 August 1876 The by election was called following the resignation of the incumbent Conservative MP Charles William Nevill It was won by the Liberal candidate Arthur Cowell Stepney 1 who was returned unopposed 2 Contents 1 Background 2 Candidates 3 Outcome 4 Results 5 See also 6 ReferencesBackground editA Liberal seat for decades Carmarthen Boroughs fell to the Conservatives in 1874 when the octogenarian sitting member Sir John Stepney stood down He was succeeded as Liberal candidate by his son Arthur who was not regarded as holding radical views To general surprise he declared his support for policies such as the disestablishment of the Anglican church in Wales 3 As a result Charles Nevill who resisted calls to oppose the elder Stepney in 1868 entered the fray and was championed as one of the largest employers of labour in the locality 4 During his short parliamentary career Nevill did not always support Conservative policy He voted in favour of the extension of the county franchise and also supported Osborne Morgan s Burials Bill 5 On 19 July 1876 Nevill indicated his intention to resign as an MP in a letter to the Vicar of Carmarthen the Rev Latimer M Jones 5 Nevill cited his business interests as the main reason for his decision Candidates editA number of possible candidates were initially mentioned both Conservatives and Liberals On the Conservative side Mansel Lewis of Stradey and J S Tregoning of Iscoed Ferryside were mentioned 5 Among the Liberals potential candidates included Arthur Stepney W R H Powell of Maesgwynne who had unsuccessfully contested Carmarthenshire in 1874 B T Williams the Recorder of Carmarthen and Evan Matthew Richards former member for Cardiganshire Williams was initially regarded as the most likely candidate 5 However Liberals supporters of Arthur Stepney swiftly took action to select a candidate before their political opponents had any opportunity to fully consider their options On the morning of 31 July Arthur Stepney travelled to Carmarthen by train where he was met by a delegation of prominent liberals who held a formal meeting chaired by the Mayor David Edwards 6 That same evening a meeting was held in Llanelli presided over by John Randell chairman of the Llanelly Local Board of Health with Stepney being formally adopted 7 Stepney s actions not only caught his Conservative opponents unawares but also rival aspirants for the Liberal nomination B T Williams was said to have intended to declare his candidature but withdrew to avoid a division in the ranks while the claims of Lewis Morris were also ignored 7 It was soon apparent that the Conservatives would not field a candidate and it does not appear that any potential candidates were considered 8 Outcome editWithin a few days it became apparent that Arthur Stepney would be returned unopposed 9 Results edit1876 Carmarthen by election 10 Party Candidate Votes Liberal Arthur Cowell Stepney UnopposedRegistered electorsLiberal gain from ConservativeSee also editLists of United Kingdom by electionsReferences edit Leigh Rayment s Historical List of MPs British Parliamentary Election Results 1832 1885 The Macmillan Press 1977 compiled and edited by F W S Craig page 503 The Election editorial Welshman 30 January 1874 Editorial Carmarthen Journal 30 January 1874 a b c d The Representation of the Carmarthen Boroughs Western Mail 31 July 1876 p 5 Retrieved 5 March 2017 The Representation of the Carmarthen Boroughs Western Mail 1 August 1876 p 5 Retrieved 7 March 2017 a b The Representation of the Carmarthen Boroughs Western Mail 2 August 1876 p 5 Retrieved 9 March 2017 The Representation of the Carmarthen Boroughs Western Mail 4 August 1876 p 5 Retrieved 20 March 2017 Editorial Carmarthen Journal 4 August 1876 Craig F W S ed 1977 British Parliamentary Election Results 1832 1885 hardcover 1st ed London Macmillan Press p 503 ISBN 978 1 349 02349 3 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title 1876 Carmarthen Boroughs by election amp oldid 1189191761, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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