1896 – 30th March – Kenilworth Urban District Council – Annual Election

Elected

Not Elected

*denotes retiring member

Electorate 990

Turnout 750 (75.8%)

CLEAN SWEEP FOR UNIONISTS

KUDC Councillors

6 Conservatives/Unionists (E. Bourne, Liet-Colonel Joynson, E. Hodges, G. Church, J. Welsh, W. Middleton)

4 Liberals (H. Street, W. Riley, J. Knight, Rev. Field)

2 Independents (J. Jackson, W. James)

1897 – April 5th – Kenilworth Urban District Council – Annual Election

Elected

Not Elected

*denotes retiring member

Electorate 990

Turnout 730 (73.7%)

Spoilt ballot papers 4

TORIES GAIN CONTROL OF KUDC

KUDC Councillors

7 Conservatives (W. Holmes, W. Pears, M. Francis, E. Bourne, Liet-Colonel Joynson, W. Middleton, E. Hodges)

3 Liberals-Progressives (J Murdock, H. Street, Rev. Field)

2 Independents (J. Jackson, W. James)

1898 – 4th April – Kenilworth Urban District Council – Annual Election

Elected

Not Elected

*denotes retiring member

Electorate 990

Turnout 788

RATEPAYERS NOT HAPPY WITH COMPROMISE

KUDC Councillors

6 Conservatives (W. Pears, W. Middleton, W. Holmes, E. Hodges, Liet-Colonel Joynson, E. Bourne)

4 Liberals (J. Jackson, W. James, H. Street, J. Murdock)

2 Independents (G. Bostock, E. Gee)

1898 – October 17th – Kenilworth Urban District Council – By Election

Electorate 1000

Turnout 673 (67.3%)

Victory For Nelson – Unionists Retain Seat

6 Conservatives (W. Holmes, W. Pears, M. Francis, E. Bourne, J. Nelson, W. Middleton)

4 Liberals (J. Jackson, H. Street, W. James, J. Murdock)

2 Independants (E. Gee, G. Bostock)

Lost Shops 2019-20

1899 – 27th March – Kenilworth Urban District Council – Annual Election

Elected

*Edward HodgesUnionist Party363
*John NelsonUnionist Party362
*Edmund BourneUnionist Party353
John WelshIndependent319

Not Elected

Richard EykynIndependent291
Edward LeeIndependent289
Edward Margetts Unionist Party287

*denotes retiring member

Electorate 1000

Turnout 650 (65%)

ANOTHER MIXED-UP ELECTION FOR VOTERS

KUDC Councillors

5 Conservatives (W. Holmes, W. Pears, E. Bourne, J. Nelson, E. Hodges)

4 Liberals (J. Murdock, H. Street, W. James, J. Jackson)

3 Independents (G. Bostock, J. Welsh, E. Gee)

Council Clerk – Mr. J. J. Willington-Wilmshurst.

1900 – 2nd April – Kenilworth Urban District Council – Annual Election

Elected

Not Elected

*denotes retiring member

Electorate 1000

Turnout 727 (72.7%)

THREE NEW MEMBERS ELECTED

KUDC Councillors

6 Unionists/Conservatives (E. Hodges, J. Nelson, E. Bourne, A. Weetman, J. Smith, J. Stringer)

3 Liberals (J Murdock, J. Jackson, W. James)

3 Independents (E. Gee, G. Bostock, J. Welsh)

1901 – 3rd March – Kenilworth Urban District Council – Annual Election

Elected

William GrowseConservative Party387
*George BostockConservative Party364
Arthur StreetLiberal Party320
*Edwin GeeConservative Party317
J. KeartlandLiberal Party312

Not Elected

*James JacksonLiberal Party312
George ChurchConservative Party262
*William JamesLiberal Party255
Alfred HaggLiberal Party204
E. HallConservative Party204

*denotes retiring member

LOTTERY FOR FIFTH PLACE

Normally, only four councillors were required to stand down for an annual election, but in this case it turned out that five members would need to be elected. This was due to the resignation of councillor, John Nelson (Conservative) who was off to South Africa to serve in the Boar war with the Warwickshire Volunteers. He was first elected to the council in October 1898.

Of the four members who put themselves forward for re-election, two were returned, Gee and Bostock, who had switched to the Conservatives (from Independents) but the two Liberals, James and Jackson were not re-elected.

It was found that Keartland and Jackson (both Liberals) had tied for fifth place on 312 votes. But the strangest thing happened. Firstly, Jackson, not wishing to give trouble to a re-count offered to give way to Keartland. But the returning officer Mr J. J. Willington-Wilmshurst, would not allow this informal method of settlement. What he should have done next was to exercise his power of a casting vote but he chose not to do so. So instead, he decided the best way to resolve it was to ‘draw lots’ for the fifth place, which went in favour of Keartland.

After the poll had finished at 8pm, the ballot boxes were taken to the council house and counting was quickly concluded by 9 o’clock. The declaration came at 11.15pm outside the council house, in front of about 100 people.

KUDC Councillors

8 Conservatives (Mr Bourne, Mr Growse, Mr Bostock, Mr. Gee, Mr Hodges, Mr Weetman, Mr Smith, Mr Stringer)

3 Liberals (Mr Street, Mr Keartland, Mr Murdock)

1 Independent (Mr Welsh)

1901-02 Edmond Bourne

Council Clerk – Mr J. J. Willington-Wilmshurst

Lost Shops 2021-22

Vapelsales, High Street. Only lasted a few years

1902 – 7th April – Kenilworth Urban District Council – Annual Election

Elected

*Edmund BourneConservative Party461
*Edward HodgesConservative Party456
William HolmesConservative Party374
*James JacksonLiberal Party365

Not elected

W. SmithConservative Party325
*J. KeartlandLiberal Party307
William JamesLiberal Party199
A. LuntLiberal Party164

*denotes retiring member

SIX SEAT MAJORITY FOR TORIES

James Jackson regained his seat following the ‘drawing of lots’ against fellow Liberal Keartland in last year’s election. Ironically, Keartland lost his seat this time around.

Holmes (Con) was re-elected after two years away from the council. Independent member Welsh did not seek re-election, who was first elected in 1894.

The polling was reported to have been unusually slow for most of the day but the total number of voters was about normal. There was only one spoilt ballot paper. A large crowd had congregated outside the council house when the declaration came at 11pm. The results were read out by returning officer Mr. J. J. Willington-Wilmshurst.

KUDC Councillors

9 Conservatives (Mr Bourne, Mr Hodges, Mr Holmes, Mr Growse, Mr Bostock, Mr Gee, Mr Weetman, Mr Stringer, Mr Smith)

3 Liberals (Mr Jackson, Mr Street, Mr Murdock)

Council Clerk – Mr. J. J. Willington-Wilmshurst