1904 – 25th March – Kenilworth Urban District Council – Election

Elected (12 seats)

*Edwin Gee	Conservative Party	533
*William Growse	Conservative Party	531
*James Jackson	Liberal Party	495
*George Bostock	Conservative Party	476
Charles Randall	Liberal Party	476
Arthur Street	Liberal Party	465
*Edward Hodges	Conservative Party	451
*Edmund Bourne	Conservative Party	430
William Riley	Liberal Party	363
Maj. Berkeley	Conservative Party	355
Edward Margetts	Conservative Party	327
*Arthur Weetman	Conservative Party	307

Not elected

George Barnet	Liberal Party	299
William Pears	Conservative Party	298
John Knight	Liberal Party	291
*Richard Knight	Liberal Party	289
Ernest Nixon	Conservative Party	262
Dr. Jackson	Conservative Party	261
T. Sherwin	Liberal Party	183
Charles Wilkinson	Conservative Party	150

*denotes retiring member

FIRST FULL ELECTION FOR 10 YEARS – TORIES RULE

This was the first triennial election of the KUDC since the inaugural poll of 1894. Up until this point, the council was using the annual election system, where one-third of councillors needed to retire and seek re-election. But the suggestion of adopting triennial elections permanently had been discussed by the council back in 1901, when it was voted through unanimously. But it took three years to sort out the details (with the County Council) and revert back to it permanently. Several reasons were put forward for the change. Money would be saved from not having elections every year and it would also stop the ill-feeling and friction that always seemed to happen during annual elections. Plus the fact that the electorate were getting fed-up with having to vote every year.

Liberal Richard Knight, who was elected back onto the council un-opposed at last years annual election surprisingly lost his seat. But fellow Liberal, William Riley was returned, having previously served between 1894-1898. Conservatives, Alfred Herbert and Capt Stringer who were elected onto the council last year in the annual election, did not seek re-election.

The counting took place at 9am the following day. The result was declared by returning officer Mr. J. J. Willington-Wilmshurst, outside the council house in Upper Rosemary Hill at 1.10pm. Despite the inclement weather a decent crowd had gathered to hear the results.

A local newspaper stated; ‘The rain in the evening prevented anything like any demonstration, which is usual at the close of the poll, neither was there any disturbance during the day so the police had a quiet time’.

KUDC Councillors

8 Conservatives (E. Gee, G. Bostock, W. Growse, E. Hodges, E. Bourne, Maj. Berkeley, A. Weetman, E. Margetts)

4 Liberals (J. Jackson, C. Randall, H. Street, W. Riley)

Chairman

Photo courtesy of Warwickshire County Records Office ref. PH (N) 600/147