Sir Thomas Davies Lloyd, 1st Baronet (21 May 1820 – 21 July 1877) was a British Liberal Member of Parliament, for Cardiganshire (Ceredigion) 1865–1868 and Cardigan Boroughs 1868–1874. Although he coveted a peerage and spent a fortune in pursuit of that aim, he had to be content with a baronetcy.
Lloyd claimed descent from ancient Welsh families and placed great emphasis on these connections. He rebuilt Bronwydd as a Victorian Gothic fantasy 1853–1856. The house is now a ruin, in the process of clearance. Lloyd restored the old castle at Newport, Pembrokeshire as a seat for his Marcher Lordship of Cemais and Llangynllo Church. His chivalric fantasies left the estate deeply in debt.
Early life
He was the son of Thomas Lloyd of Cilrhiwe and Bronwydd, Cardiganshire, who had been the High Sheriff of Cardiganshire in 1814. His mother, Ann, was the daughter of John Thomas of Llwydcoed, Carmarthenshire. His father played an active role in Pembrokeshire politics and nominated Lord Emlyn as member for the county in 1841. He was educated at Harrow School and Christ Church, Oxford. In 1840, he joined the 13th Light Dragoons, and was a commander in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada with the 82nd Foot.
Landowner
Upon the death of his father in 1845, Lloyd returned to Wales, and on 21 January 1846 he married Henrietta Mary, fourth daughter of George Reid, Esquire, of Watlington Hall, Norfolk, and Jamaica. He served as High Sheriff of Cardiganshire in 1851. He inherited the title of 24th Marcher Lord of Cemaes, which gave him authority to hold a Court Leet and other ceremonial occasions such as beating the bounds at Newport, Pembrokeshire. Very little authority rested with these ancient privileges by this time although he has the right to appoint the Mayor of Newport. Lloyd spent a fortune on the renovation of Newport Castle as the seat of his 'marcher lordship' and seeking elevation to the peerage. He had to be content with being created a baronet in 1863.
Political career
Throughout the 1850s, Lloyd was frequently named as a potential candidate for election to the House of Commons, either to represent Cardigan Boroughs or the more prestigious Cardiganshire county constituency. However, he was constantly reluctant to face a contested election, possibly for reasons of cost as his extravagance in rebuilding both Newport Castle and Bronwydd left the estate heavily indebted, but also due to his reluctance to create divisions among the predominantly Conservative landed gentry of Cardiganshire. For several decades, and unofficial understanding saw the county seat had been held by a Conservative while the Whig-supporting Pryse family of Gogerddan held the borough seat. Evatually, Lloyd served for a single term as member for both the county (1865–68) and the boroughs (1868-74)
Early political activity
An old fashioned Whig Liberal, Lloyd was first mooted as a Liberal parliamentary candidate in 1852, when there was a requisition urging him to contest the Cardigan Boroughs in opposition to Pryse Loveden of Gogerddan. He declined. In 1854, following the resignation of Colonel W.E. Powell who had served as MP for Cardiganshire for 38 years. The Earl of Lisburne emerged as the favoured candidate but given his Conservative political views, there was speculation that he would be opposed by a Liberal candidate. Lloyd was mentioned as the most likely to stand. However, support from the Pryse family of Gogerddan was not forthcoming and Lloyd chose not to contest the seat.
Lloyd was mentioned as a possible candidate for Cardigan Boroughs at the 1857 General Election, in opposition to John Lloyd Davies who had unexpectedly captured the seat at the 1855 by-election. However, Edward Pryse, a member of the influential Gogerddan family chose to contest the seat, and was supported by Lloyd.
Subsequently, a requisition was presented to Lloyd to contest the county seat in opposition to the Earl of Lisburne, and even at a late stage he was expected to go to the poll and is to have a chance of success. However, Lloyd withdrew and Lisburne was returned unopposed.