Hertford and Stortford Liberal Democrats

The Liberal Democrats exist to build and safeguard a fair, free and open society, in which we seek to balance the fundamental values of liberty, equality and community, and in which no-one shall be enslaved by poverty, ignorance or conformity.

Local Election 2019 Manifesto Released

council

You can read our local manifesto here.

Local Election 2019 Candidates Announced

The nominations are out and you can view our list of candidates for the East Herts District Council and various Town and Parish Councils for the elections on Thursday 2nd May here.

Action on Brexit

Brexit graphic Theresa May and the Conservatives are making a mess of Brexit. And the Labour Leadership are going right along with them, even sacking people who disagree.

The Liberal Democrats want to give the people the final say on the Brexit deal. If it's not the right deal for Britain's future, then you should be able to reject it and choose to remain in the European Union.

Back our campaign for an Exit from Brexit today. Two thinks you can do are:

Click here to add your name
join us on the People's Vote march, 23 March, Park Lane, London

Thanking Mike Wood

Mike Wood (centre) seated with Terence Beckett and Mione Goldspink

On 8 December we gathered to thank Mike Wood, standing down as President, and people who had helped in Terence Beckett's recent campaign.

Mike's distinguished service has seen him as Mayor of Bishop's Stortford, serving for extended periods as a County, District and Town councillor and hold all the main offices in the local party.

Terence recently stood in the Meads ward by election on 6 December 2018, where he was came a very good second.

Both Mike and Terence will be among our candidates for the elections in May.

When Mione, Chris, Stephen and Terence met Mark... and asked for a People's Vote...

LibDem activists prepare to meet Mark Prisk with a petition On Friday, 19th October, one day before the People's Vote March in London, 4 local LibDem campaigners met Hertford and Stortford MP, Mark Prisk.

Mione Goldspink, Chris Wilson, Stephen Skinner and Terence Beckett presented Mr Prisk with a petition of more than 300 local names, all wanting a say in what happens next, and all demanding a People's Vote on Brexit.

Then these 4 joined over 30 others from Stortford, Hertford and nearby in marching on London in one of the biggest displays of democracy ever seen! We want a People's Vote and we are not going away!

Winning Here! Sophie Bell wins landslide in Watton-at-Stone...

Sophie Bell, Julian Huppert etc at start of Watton campaign

Sophie Bell, on the first day of campaigning in Watton-at-Stone by election

Congratulations to Sophie Bell, the newly-elected member of East Hertfordshire District Council for Watton-at-Stone.

Sophie won in a by-election on 23 August 2018 with 67% of the vote, beating the Tories on 30% and Labour on 2.8%

Watton-at-Stone is in the part of East Hertfordshire which is in North East Hertfordshire constituency.

[23 August 2018]

Lib Dems offer to work with Labour to secure final say

Liberal Democrat Brexit Spokesperson Tom Brake has written to Labour's Shadow Brexit Secretary, Keir Starmer, offering to work with his party to secure a final say on Brexit.

The intervention comes as the Labour Shadow Brexit Secretary yesterday confirmed that Labour was keeping the option of a final say on Brexit "on the table." John McDonnell, Labour Shadow Chancellor, has today backed Mr Starmer's position.

Liberal Democrat Brexit Spokesperson Tom Brake said:

"Just last week we had a Labour MP using the spectre of social unrest to dismiss the idea of granting the public a say on the deal, but now there appears to be a change of heart from some at Labour's top table.

"If that is the case, the Labour party should come out and say it. They should be straight with the public and use their upcoming conference to back a final say on Brexit. But will Jeremy Corbyn allow it?

"Brexit will be a disaster for jobs, the NHS and our environment. That is why Liberal Democrats across the country are fighting for an Exit from Brexit. That is why we are offering to work with Labour, and any other party, to secure a final say on the deal."

[23 August 2018]

Annelise Berendt Furnace

Annelise Berendt Furnace, Liberal Democrat member of Sawbridgeworth Town Council writes on Life as a Town Councillor:

"It is remarkable how much work our local councillors do for their residents and communities, and how readily citizens can engage with them. Five fascinating months as a Town Councillor in Sawbridgeworth have given me a real insight into the contribution councillors make to the life of the community."

Click here to read the complete article

Recent updates from the Liberal Democrats

What kind of world are we giving to our children?

Article: Apr 15, 2019

When my son Gabriel was born, I didn't imagine that he'd have quite such an active political career before his first birthday.

But now he's experienced one anti-Trump march, two People's Vote marches, one debate in the House of Commons chamber and one very infamous breach of the pairing arrangements in Parliament. He's probably the most politically active baby in the country.
Happy Vaisakhi

Article: Apr 14, 2019

I'd like to wish all of our Sikh members, supporters and candidates a Happy Vaisakhi.

I know that today is a very special day for you as you celebrate not only the year that Sikhism was born as a collective faith, the anniversary of the founding of the Khalsa (the collective name given to Sikhs who've been baptised), but also the start of the Sikh New Year.
EU elections are coming - and we're raring to go

Article: Apr 12, 2019

We're now fighting TWO elections. Together, we're going to deliver the best results in both elections that we've had in years!
On 2nd May we need to gain more councils and councillors across England. On 23rd May, we want to elect a Liberal Democrat MEP in every part of the country.

Our local election campaign is well underway. But we've got a lot to do to ensure our European Election campaign gets off to a flying start too.
Five Farage Fails

Article: Apr 12, 2019

The time he campaigned for Roy Moore in Alabama. When nine women had come forward to accuse him of sexual misconduct.

Backing Republican loser Roy Moore is yet another triumph for Nigel Faragehttps://t.co/8yRG8dADC1 pic.twitter.com/zBhVYNVs5J
- The Poke (@ThePoke) December 13, 2017

Fortunately, Moore lost the seat to Democrat challenger Doug Jones. Which is good, because much like Farage himself, Moore's kind of the worst.
The Leader:Tory Fury, Labour Pretence and Lib Dem Optimism

Article: Apr 11, 2019

Brexit latest

Brexit is still paralysing government and parliament. But I think a significant corner has been turned with the decision of the European Council to extend the timetable for Brexit until Halloween on Oct 31^st.

The sense of drama and crisis has abated somewhat, now that Brexit Day is no longer imminent.
European elections get more likely by the day

Article: Apr 11, 2019

It's our job to win big for fellow Remainers across the country in these European elections.

Last night Theresa May met with EU leaders and, in a dashing blow to her plans, was forced to agree to extend Article 50 to October 31st, with the ability to review at the end of June.

She's still doing the hokey-cokey and dancing around the issue but as a result, it's clear European elections are incredibly likely this Spring.
Local Elections 2019: Party Election Broadcast

Article: Apr 10, 2019

These past few months have been nothing short of a national humiliation.

For nearly 3 years, the government has used a wafer thin referendum majority to sow division in our towns, our cities and even in our families.

But those who seek to divide us will never win. We demand better than Brexit.

Labour and the Conservatives are fighting amongst themselves, and they have taken their eye off the ball when it comes to local services.
Recruiting Volunteers

Article: Apr 5, 2019

One of our strengths as a party is our broad, committed base of activists. Sometimes, it can be hard to pick out who in your area might be willing to help - so we've put together a guide for you!

You likely already have a large amount of data that you can use to identify potential volunteers - even without canvassing. When someone signs a petition on the national party's website, the data they provide is synced to Connect too.
Local Elections Are Just Around The Corner

Article: Apr 5, 2019

Vince Cable kickstarted our local election campaign today in Yeovil.

And what a place to get the ball rolling.

After the last lot of elections in 2015, the Liberal Democrat group was the largest on South Somerset District Council.

South Somerset is just one of many councils up for election this year which last elected councillors in 2015.
We're getting closer to a People's Vote

Article: Apr 3, 2019

Last night, the People's Vote option got more support from MPs than any other option.

When MPs get the chance to vote on it again, I want to make sure it passes with a majority.

We've asked you to help us by contacting MPs to persuade them to back a People's Vote in the past.

You responded in your thousands.

The Liberal Democrats are the only party fighting to keep Britain open, tolerant and united, and committed to continue to campaign for the UK to remain a member of the EU.

Open means open-hearted, open-minded, forward-looking, modern, green, internationalist and pro-European. We believe Britain is at its best when it is creative, innovative and outward-looking, comfortable in the fast-changing modern world and open to the opportunities and challenges of globalisation and the digital revolution.

Tolerant means diverse, compassionate and generous. We will always fight injustice and stand up for the underdog, the outsider, the individual, the minority and the vulnerable against the powerful.

United means we will always put the interests of the whole United Kingdom first. We reject the divisions in society, whether between young and old, urban and rural, leave and remain, or between regions and nations. We believe we are stronger - as communities, as a country and as a world - when we work together in our common interest.

If this sounds like you too, join us.