1966 Carmarthen by-election

The 1966 Carmarthen by-election, was held in Carmarthen, Wales, on 14 July 1966. The contest was significant in that it resulted in the election of Gwynfor Evans, the first ever Plaid Cymru member of parliament. Plaid Cymru's victory in the Carmarthen constituency, a seminal moment for Welsh nationalism, was part of a wider process toward Welsh devolution which eventually led to the establishment of the Welsh Assembly in 1999.

Gwynfor Evans commemorative plaque in Carmarthen based on the night of the election.

The election was caused by the death of Labour Party member of parliament Megan Lloyd George.

Gwynfor Evans' surprise win is credited with laying the foundations for Winnie Ewing's victory for the Scottish National Party at the 1967 Hamilton by-election, an event of equal significance for Scottish nationalism.

Result

1966 Carmarthen by-election^[1][2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Plaid Cymru	Gwynfor Evans	16,179	39.0	+22.8
	Labour	Gwilym Prys-Davies	13,743	33.1	−13.1
	Liberal	Hywel Davies	8,650	20.8	−5.3
	Conservative	Simon Day	2,934	7.1	−4.5
Majority			2,436	5.9	N/A
Turnout			41,506	74.9	−7.7
Registered electors			55,407
	Plaid Cymru gain from Labour		Swing	+12.0

See also

• 1882 Carmarthen Boroughs by-election
• 1924 Carmarthen by-election
• 1928 Carmarthen by-election
• 1941 Carmarthen by-election
• 1957 Carmarthen by-election
• Carmarthen (UK Parliament constituency)
• Royal Commission on the Constitution (United Kingdom)