# 1973 Gwent County Council election

The 1973 Gwent County Council election was held on Thursday 12 April 1973 to elect councillors to the new Gwent County Council, governing the new county of Gwent, Wales. It took place on the same day as other county council elections in the United Kingdom.
These were the first elections to the new county council, which would come into effect on 1 April 1974. Future elections would take place every four years, with the next one scheduled for April 1977.
The 1973 election saw the Labour Party win a strong majority on the Council.

## Background

Gwent was created following local government reorganisation enacted by the Local Government Act 1972. It covered the area of Monmouthshire and Newport County Borough, which would be transferred from England to Wales in 1974.
The 1973 elections were the first to the new local authorities, with councillors acting in a shadow capacity until 1 April 1974 when the new councils took full effect.
The position of alderman on the local authorities was abolished, with all members of the new councils being elected ward councillors.

## Overview of the result

Seventy-eight Gwent County Council seats in 66 electoral wards were up for election in April 1973. Labour overall increased its presence in comparison with the old councils, though there were some close battles between Labour, the Liberals and Independents in some wards.
In Cwmbran Labour did not fare so well, with an Independent and a Ratepayer candidate winning seats, and the Conservatives polling strongly.
Gwent County Council election result 1973 :
| Party | Seats | Net gain/loss | Seats % | Votes | +/− |
| Labour | 59 | N/A | 75.6 | | N/A |
| Conservative | 12 | N/A | 15.3 | | N/A |
| Liberal | 3 | N/A | 3.8 | | N/A |
| Plaid Cymru | 1 | N/A | 1.2 | | N/A |
| Communist | 0 | N/A | 0.0 | 1,185 | N/A |
| Ratepayers | 2 | N/A | 2.5 | | N/A |
| Independent | 1 | N/A | 1.2 | | N/A |

## Ward results

Contests took place in 49 wards, with candidates in seventeen of the wards being elected unopposed.

### Aberbeeg and Six Bells (1 seat)

Aberbeeg and Six Bells ward 1973 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Plaid Cymru | I. Lewis | 1,415 | | |
| | Labour | H. Snellgrove | 1,295 | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | | 58.8 | n/a |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 4,608 | | |

### Abercarn and Cwmcarn (1 seat)

Abercarn and Cwmcarn ward 1973 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | D. J. Williams | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |

### Abergavenny Cantref and Grofield (1 seat)

Abergavenny Cantref and Grofield ward 1973 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | R. Smith | 947 | | |
| | Labour | P. Stockham | 522 | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | | 39.2 | n/a |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 3,745 | | |

### Abergavenny Castle and Priory (1 seat)

Abergavenny Castle and Priory ward 1973 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | P. Williams | 1,000 | | |
| | Labour | J. Pardoe-James | 904 | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | | 56.4 | n/a |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 3,376 | | |

### Abersychan Central (1 seat)

Abersychan Central ward 1973 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | G. Smith | 891 | | |
| | Communist | G. Williams | 222 | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | | 48.6 | n/a |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 2,288 | | |

### Abersychan North (1 seat)

Abersychan North ward 1973 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Gertrude Morgan | 891 | | |
| | Communist | G. Mills | 794 | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | | 57.8 | n/a |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 2.916 | | |

### Abertillery (1 seat)

Abertillery ward 1973 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | R. G. Owen | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |

### Alexandra (1 seat)

Alexandra (Newport) ward 1973 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | R. Jones | 1,067 | | |
| | Plaid Cymru | D. Hughes | 308 | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | | 49.1 | n/a |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 2,802 | | |

### Allt-yr-yn (1 seat)

Allt-yr-yn (Newport) ward 1973 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | S. Miller | 1,464 | | |
| | Liberal | D. Owen | 778 | | |
| | Labour | S. Seaman | 343 | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | | 48.2 | n/a |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 5,360 | | |

### Alway (2 seats)

Alway (Newport) ward 1973 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | J. Turner | 1,718 | | |
| | Labour | R. Murray | 1,439 | | |
| | Conservative | T. Tranter | 951 | | |
| | Conservative | (Mrs) D. Griffiths | 856 | | |
| | Liberal | H. Clark | 834 | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | | 53.3 | n/a |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 6,569 | | |

### Bassaleg and Marshfield (1 seat)

Bassaleg and Marshfield ward 1973 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | P. Grimmer | 1,027 | | |
| | Labour | T. Lewis | 638 | | |
| | Liberal | I. Wasgett | 401 | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | | 46.2 | n/a |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 4,474 | | |

### Bedwellty No. 2 Pengam (1 seat)

Pengam ward 1973 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | G. Jenkins | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |

### Bedwellty No. 3 Argoed and Cefn Fforest (1 seat)

Argoed and Cefn Fforest ward 1973 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | (Mrs) O. G. Lloyd | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |

### Beechwood (2 seats)

Beechwood (Newport) ward 1973 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | J. Marsh | 1,322 | | |
| | Liberal | (Mrs) W. Crowther | 1,143 | | |
| | Labour | G. Purnell | 1,081 | | |
| | Conservative | T. Elliot | 975 | | |
| | Conservative | W. Wright | 812 | | |
| | Plaid Cymru | G. Lee | 308 | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | | 62.9 | n/a |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 5,961 | | |

### Bettws (1 seat)

Bettws (Newport) ward 1973 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | J. Morgan | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |

### Blackwood (1 seat)

Blackwood ward 1973 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | D. Bosley | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |

### Blaenavon (1 seat)

Blaenavon ward 1973 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | D. Puddle | 1,568 | | |
| | Ratepayer | W. Arnold | 1,481 | | |
| | Independent | W. Edwards | 209 | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | | 63.4 | n/a |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 5,137 | | |

### Brynmawr (1 seat)

Brynmawr ward 1973 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | E. Fenton | 1,756 | | |
| | Plaid Cymru | R. Williams | 737 | | |
| | Conservative | V. Jones | 535 | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | | 68.8 | n/a |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 4,399 | | |

### Caerleon (1 seat)

Caerleon ward 1973 :
| Party | Candidate | Votes |
| Labour | J. Kirkwood | 1,274 |
| Plaid Cymru | (Mrs) L. Lewis | 952 |
| Liberal | R. Zeal | 498 |

### Caerwent (1 seat)

Caerwent ward 1973 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | S. Baldwin | 1,203 | | |
| | Conservative | L. Horton | 1,169 | | |

### Caldicot (1 seat)

Caldicot ward 1973 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | G. Powell | 1,917 | | |
| | Conservative | M. Shirington | 772 | | |

### Central (1 seat)

Central (Newport) ward 1973 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | A. Hames | 1,276 | | |
| | Conservative | C. Courtney | 653 | | |

### Chepstow (1 seat)

Chepstow ward 1973 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | A. O'Neill | 1,240 | | |
| | Plaid Cymru | E. Spanswick | 219 | | |

### Crickhowell and Llanelly Parish (1 seat)

Crickhowell and Llanelly Parish ward 1973 :
| Party | Candidate | Votes |
| Labour | J. Jones | 622 |
| Independent | T. Thomas | 491 |
| Independent | William Morris | 375 |

### Crucorny Fawr and Llantilio Pertholey (1 seat)

Crucorny Fawr and Llantilio Pertholey ward 1973 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | J. Davies | 940 | | |
| | Labour | E. Blour | 567 | | |

### Crumlin (1 seat)

Crumlin ward 1973 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | A. E. England | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |

### Cwmbran Central and Llantarnam (1 seat)

Cwmbran Central and Llantarnam ward 1973 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Oliver James | 1,263 | | |
| | Independent | D. Miles | 831 | | |

### Cwmtillery (1 seat)

Cwmtillery ward 1973 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | T. Mytton | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |

### Ebbw Vale, Badminton, Beaufort and N Central

Ebbw Vale, Badminton, Beaufort and North Central ward 1973 :
| Party | Candidate | Votes |
| Labour | F. Watley | 1,771 |
| Ratepayer | W. Jones | 1,723 |
| Ratepayer | A. Pope | 1,689 |
| Labour | K. Barnes | 1,665 |
| Plaid Cymru | J. Evans | 1,231 |

### Ebbw Vale Central, Cwm and South Central

Ebbw Vale Central, Cwm and South Central ward 1973 :
| Party | Candidate | Votes |
| Labour | J. Rogers | 3,792 |
| Labour | R. Morgan | 3,667 |
| Labour | P. Cross | 3,070 |
| Ratepayer | A. O'Donovan | 2,965 |
| Ratepayer | M. Jones | 2,357 |
| Plaid Cymru | D. Kerwick | 1,937 |

### Fairwater and Henllys (1 seat)

Fairwater and Henllys ward 1973 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | R. Wellington | 1,319 | | |
| | Communist | D. Clarke | 169 | | |

### Langstone (1 seat)

Langstone (Newport) ward 1973 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | D. Duthie | 1,227 | | |
| | Labour | J. Murphy | 855 | | |

### Llanfoist and Llanover (1 seat)

Llanfoist and Llanover ward 1973 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | C. Williams | 1,143 | | |
| | Labour | H. Gail | 712 | | |

### Llanfrechfa Lower (2 seats)

Llanfrechfa Lower ward 1973 :
| Party | Candidate | Votes |
| Labour | M. Thomas | 2,114 |
| Labour | R. Hill | 1,968 |
| Conservative | N. Davies | 1,346 |
| Conservative | D. Chappell | 1,298 |
| Independent | F. Hole | 601 |

### Llanhilleth (1 seat)

Llanhilleth ward 1973 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | R. Rice | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |

### Lliswerry (2 seats)

Lliswerry (Newport) ward 1973 :
| Party | Candidate | Votes |
| Labour | R. Lloyd | 1,527 |
| Labour | H. Herbert | 1,422 |
| Conservative | J. Maynard | 1,010 |
| Conservative | E. Di Villa | 842 |

### Malpas (1 seat)

Malpas (Newport) ward 1973 :
| Party | Candidate | Votes |
| Labour | K. James | 1,864 |
| Labour | M. Lewis | 1,754 |
| Conservative | D. Jewett | 1,177 |
| Conservative | M. Bellew | 1,128 |

### Monmouth (1 seat)

Monmouth ward 1973 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | J. Lewis | 1,363 | | |
| | Labour | T. Flynn | 757 | | |

### Mynyddislwyn Penmaen (1 seat)

Mynyddislwyn Penmaen ward 1973 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | S. Lloyd | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |

### Nantyglo and Blaina Central and South (1 seat)

Nantyglo and Blaina Central and South ward 1973 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | K. Jayne | 1,909 | | |
| | Independent | W. Chard | 1,418 | | |

### Nantyglo and Blaina North (1 seat)

Nantyglo and Blaina North ward 1973 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | P. Abraham | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |

### Newbridge (1 seat)

Newbridge ward 1973 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | T. Matthews | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |

### Old Cwmbran (1 seat)

Old Cwmbran ward 1973 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Independent | Derrick Rex | 784 | | |
| | Labour | B. Smith | 737 | | |
Councillor Rex was a credit company agent and had been a member of Cwmbran Urban Council for 16 years.

### Panteg East (1 seat)

Panteg East ward 1973 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | James D. Touhig | 1,683 | | |
| | Independent | C. Irving | 932 | | |
This was local newspaper reporter Don Touhig's first ever election, which he won by over 700 votes.

### Panteg West (1 seat)

Panteg West ward 1973 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | A. Skuse | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |

### Pontllanfraith (1 seat)

Pontllanfraith ward 1973 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | B. Chicken | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |

### Pontnewydd (1 seat)

Pontnewydd ward 1973 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Ratepayer | P. Pritchard | 973 | | |
| | Labour | P. Maplestone | 537 | | |
Councillor Pritchard was General Secretary of the Monmouthshire Federation of Ratepayers.

### Pontnewydd North (1 seat)

Pontnewydd North ward 1973 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | S. Ball | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |

### Pontnewydd South (1 seat)

Pontnewydd South ward 1973 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | E. Gibson | 448 | | |
| | Plaid Cymru | E. Palmer | 312 | | |

### Pontypool (1 seat)

Pontypool ward 1973 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | P. Strickland | 671 | | |
| | Plaid Cymru | P. Palmer | 151 | | |

### Ringland (2 seats)

Ringland (Newport) ward 1973 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | I. Card | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| | Labour | F. Edwards | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |

### Risca Central (1 seat)

Risca Central ward 1973 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | E. Griffiths | 918 | | |
| | Independent | D. Rees | 160 | | |

### Risca North (1 seat)

Risca North ward 1973 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | A. West | 1,022 | | |
| | Progressive Independent | M. Bevan | 473 | | |

### Risca South (1 seat)

Risca South ward 1973 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | E. Bendall | 1,579 | | |
| | Independent | R. Webster | 877 | | |

### Rogerstone (1 seat)

Rogerstone ward 1973 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | D. Scrivens | 1,178 | | |
| | Independent | G. Howell | 939 | | |

### Shaftesbury (2 seats)

Shaftesbury (Newport) ward 1973 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | E. Bosley | 1,574 | | |
| | Conservative | D. Davies | 839 | | |

### Shirenewton and Tintern (1 seat)

Shirenewton and Tintern ward 1973 :
| Party | Candidate | Votes |
| Conservative | I. Heath | 1,192 |
| Labour | A. Huntley | 402 |
| Ratepayer | D. Millard | 286 |

### St Julians (2 seats)

St Julians (Newport) ward 1973 :
| Party | Candidate | Votes |
| Labour | E. Ovens | 1,595 |
| Conservative | W. Morris | 1,468 |
| Conservative | R. Thomas | 1,425 |
| Labour | R. Soni | 1,387 |

### St Woolos (2 seats)

St Woolos (Newport) ward 1973 :
| Party | Candidate | Votes |
| Labour | J. Pembridge | 1,884 |
| Labour | L. Turnbull | 1,729 |
| Liberal | D. Hando | 1,364 |

### Tredegar Central and West (1 seat)

Tredegar Sirhowy ward 1973 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Angus Donaldson | 2,172 | | |
| | Labour | William Harry | 1,856 | | |
Bill Harry had been one of four Monmouthshire county councillors in Tredegar for 13 years, but Gwent County Council would only have three Tredegar county councillors, with Harry being the loser against Angus Donaldson who was a sitting Liberal Monmouthshire councillor for Tredegar.

### Tredegar Georgetown (1 seat)

Tredegar Georgetown ward 1973 :
| Party | Candidate | Votes |
| Labour | W. Price | 925 |
| Liberal | A. Holley | 663 |
| Independent | L. Perriam | 143 |

### Tredegar Sirhowy (1 seat)

Tredegar Sirhowy ward 1973 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Douglas Thomas | 1,425 | | |
| | Labour | Oliver Williams | 1,383 | | |
Councillor Thomas won after a recount.

### Upper Cwmbran (1 seat)

Upper Cwmbran ward 1973 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | D. Price | 745 | | |
| | Independent | J. Price | 273 | | |

### Usk and Pontypool Rural (1 seat)

Usk and Pontypool Rural ward 1973 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | V. Etheridge | 2,033 | | |
| | Labour | J. Davies | 677 | | |

### Victoria (1 seat)

Victoria (Newport) ward 1973 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Patrick Geraghty | 1,333 | | |
| | Conservative | Percy Jones | 1,075 | | |
Percy Jones, an alderman and former major of Newport County Borough had been a council member in Newport for 20 years.

### Ynysddu (1 seat)

Ynysddu ward 1973 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | R. Evans | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |