Conisbrough UDC Elections – Results

May 1955

South Yorkshire Times May 21, 1955

Conisbrough UDC – Elections

Formed little over a month ago, Conisbrough Ratepayers’ Association candidates polled 659 votes in Saturday’s Urban Council elections in the East and South wards. The two Labour candidates secured 1,819 votes. About 37 per cent of the electorate in the South ward voted, and in the East ward 43 per cent exercised their franchise right.

After the count was declared by the Returning Officer, Mr. R. F. Edwardson, Coun. David Sheldon, who sought re-election in the South ward, said his 3-1 majority showed that the people did not want to be ruled by ‘two or three shopkeepers.’

‘Why should a few shopkeepers say they are the only ratepayers? The people of Conisbrough have shown what they think and they are the ratepayers,’ he said.

Coun. Sheldon stated that if the Association wanted to gain seats on the Council, they would have to get the backing of people who were prepared to put in some hard work. He paid tribute to the people who had helped him to achieve such a grand success. Coun. Sheldon also drew attention to the very efficient way the count had been organised by Mr. Edwardson and his staff.

Tribute to the work of the election officials, and members of the Labour Party for all their help was paid by Mr. Stewart, the new Labour councillor for East ward.

As treasurer of the Ratepayers Association, Mr. Swift, said they had been up against strong opposition, and the Labour candidates had polled just over half as many again as the two Ratepayers. Mr. Swift stated that Conisbrough’s was ‘the highest rate in the country, and it was all ‘baloney’ that the rate had gone down. He appealed to Association members not to be downhearted saying ‘We shall try again next time.’ There was a cry of ‘Save your money’ from a member of the audience.

Mrs. Shelton said she was not upset by the defeat, and she considered that if she had been in public life for over 21 years – like Coun. Sheldon – she had no knowledge of Council work, but by getting into the Council Chamber, she hoped to educate herself in these matters. ‘I am very pleased that 365 people have voted for me. I feel sure that the Association will soon have a jolly sight more members than the local Labour Party,’ she said. She also paid tribute to Mr. Edwardson and his staff.

Mr. Edwardson thanked the speakers, and also members of his staff.