1889 Pembrokeshire County Council election
The first election to Pembrokeshire County Council, was held in January 1889. It was followed by the 1892 election. The county was divided into 38 single member wards with two councillors elected to represent Tenby and Pembroke, and five for Pembroke Dock.
Overview of the result
1889 was a landmark year in the history of Welsh Liberalism, a coming of age symbolized by the triumph across Wales of Liberal candidates in the inaugural county council elections. The Liberal triumph in Pembrokeshire was not as complete as in other Welsh counties but was nevertheless significant. In the north of the county a number of landed gentry were defeated including James Bevan Bowen of Llwyngwair, former MP for the county of Pembrokeshire.There were only nine unopposed returns, most of whom were Liberals.
Ward results
Castlemartin
Lampeter Velfrey
Mathry
Pembroke Dock (five seats)
None of the candidates were said to have openly run on political lines and no meetings took place during the campaign.Walwyn's Castle
Election of aldermen
In addition to the 51 councillors the council consisted of 16 county aldermen. Aldermen were elected by the council, and served a six-year term. Following the election of the initial sixteen aldermen, half of the aldermanic bench would be elected every three years following the triennial council election. After the initial elections, there were sixteen aldermanic vacancies and the following aldermen were appointed by the newly elected council. A second vote was held to determine which aldermen should retire in three years. Consequent upon the election of aldermen who were councillors, further elections were required in Pembroke, Slebech and Martletwy, Wiston, Carew, and St Ishmaels's. Despite being an election, the decision on the aldermen was made by the Liberals in advance of the county council meeting.Elected for six years
- H. G. Allen, Liberal 42
- Lord Kensington, Liberal 42
- James Bevan Bowen, Conservative 31
- John Thomas, Llether 30, Liberal
- W. Gibbs, Hodgeston 29, Liberal
- William Williams, Haverfordwest 27, Liberal
- N. A. Roch, Tenby, Conservative 24
- Captain Higgon 23, Conservative
Elected for three years
- W. E. Seccombe, Liberal 32
- G. P. Brewer, Narberth 29, Liberal
- R. Thomas, Trebover 29, Liberal
- W. Evans, Bletherston 28, Liberal
- Ben Rees, Granant 28, Liberal
- H. John Thomas, Lochturfin 28, Liberal
- W. Watts Williams, St David's 28, Liberal
- Sir Charles Philipps, Conservative 22