South Yorkshire Times, November 3rd, 1951
Mr. W. Paling (Dearne Valley)
Dearne Valley
*W Paling Lab.): 39,782
J. Sizer (Con.): 10,197
Majority: 29.685
No change
1950 Election: Lab. Majority 30,055
There was never any doubt about the result in Dearne Valley. Speculation was confined to the size of the Labour majority. The declaration was made at Wombwell Baths Hall at 1.31pm. This was the first time the count had taken place there and the improved facilities probably accounted for the fact that the declaration was made about three hours earlier. The Deputy Acting Returning Officer, Mr. F. Potter, was taken ill during the count, but remained on the premises and was able to make the formal declaration both at the Baths Hall and the Town Hall. In the meantime, the work was carried on under the supervision of his assistant Mr. J. Mellor.
Speaking following the declaration at the Town Hall, Mr. Paling thanked all who had given him the opportunity of going back to Westminster with another big majority. It had been a “good, clean fight” and all concerned had enjoyed it. Consistent with the sporting spirit which had characterised the election, Mr. Sizer thanked his supporters and workers and expressed his appreciation of Mr. Paling as a “generous opponent”. A small crowd raised a cheer as Mr. Paling‘s victory was announced.
The percentage poll was 85 against 87 in 1950. A total of 638 votes were recorded for Mr. Paling while Mr. Sizer polled 168 fewer votes than Mrs. A. L. G. Dower, the 1950 Conservative candidate. Nevertheless, Mr. Sizer. reduced the majority from 30,055 to 29,685.
Mr. T. Williams (Don Valley)
Don Valley
*Tom Williams (Lab.): 39,687
D. S. B. Hopkins (Con.): 13,862
Majority: 25,825
No Change
1950 Election Lab. Majority 26,807
This was the ninth election which Mr. Williams has won in the 29 years he has represented Don Valley. The Conservative candidate polled about 800 votes more than his predecessor, Mr. Douglas Graham, who opposed Mr. Williams in 1950. Mr. Williams polled 111 votes fewer than in 1950. Mr. Williams said after the result, “We are a democracy and we shall get the Government we deserve, whether good, bad, or indifferent.” Mr. Hopkins congratulated the Don Valley electorate on the high standard of electioneering during the campaign. “If this is an example of the way elections are carried out in a division with set ideas, my estimate of British electioneering is very high indeed” he said.
Poll
The poll was 229 votes less than in 1950 and there was no Communist candidate, who polled 1,007 at the last election.