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.

Vote for Change, Vote for Proper Representation, Vote for Terence Beckett for Meads

On Thursday, 6 December, the people of the Meads Ward, Bishop's Stortford get the chance to vote in a new town councillor following the resignation of Gillian Campbell. It is a chance to break the monopoly of the Conservative Party, and bring in a new voice with a new perspective. The man for the job is Terence Beckett.

Terence has lived in Bishop's Stortford for 20 years, is a qualified sustainable construction professional and is passionate about giving the people of Meads Ward a voice for their concerns. He can and will break through the complacency of the town council, concentrating on Safer Streets, Cleaner Air and appropriate building developments in the town, with infrastructure to match. You can learn more about Terence and his campaign here: https://www.facebook.com/meadselection/

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!

Sign the Liberal Democrat's Brexit petition

The Conservatives are making a mess of Brexit, and the Labour Leadership continue to support them. The people should have 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 remain in the European Union.

click to sign

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

We need bold action on climate change

Article: Nov 27, 2018

Climate Change isn't just an environmental problem, it's a human one too.

Climate Change isn't just an environmental problem, it's a human one too.

Look at our country - and the impact of weather extremes likely linked to climate change. This summer, Manchester's Moorlands were turned into an inferno. Food prices spiked as farmers struggled in an unseasonal heatwave. Back in March, parts of the country were brought to a standstill with massive snowfalls from the Beast from the East.
We need to talk about homelessness

Article: Nov 23, 2018

The latest report from Shelter has revealed that 1 in 52 people living in the capital are homeless.

That's thousands of vulnerable people forced to go without food, warmth and a roof over their head.

The report also shows that around 320,000 people are now homeless across the country.

It's an absolute disgrace.
Lib Dems announce London Mayoral candidate

Article: Nov 21, 2018

"I am delighted to have been selected as the Liberal Democrat candidate for Mayor of London.

I will show the Lib Dems can offer a fresh alternative

I will show the Lib Dems can offer a fresh alternative to London's tired two party politics.

Sadiq Khan isn't delivering the right solutions to violent crime and only the Liberal Democrats can provide a genuinely public health approach. The Tories have shown how out of touch they are with London's values by selecting an illiberal, pro-Brexit candidate.

Only the Lib Dems have truly stood up for Londoners against Brexit and we will continue to be a strong, liberal voice for our city." Siobhan Benita
Celebrating local government

Article: Nov 20, 2018

Local government is the bedrock of our communities. It is central to people living happy, healthy and productive lives, and if properly funded, has the potential to solve some of the biggest problems in our society.

Local government is the bedrock of our communities.

Local government faces many challenges.
Rally for a final say

Article: Nov 16, 2018

Within hours of Theresa May speaking to Parliament about the deal she negotiated, hundreds of Lib Dems gathered on Parliament Square to make clear they opposed it.

For over two years now Liberal Democrats have led the fight to give people the final say on the Brexit deal in a People's Vote, with the option to remain in the EU. And Thursday was a big day. It was the day that turned a People's Vote from a possibility into a probability.
New Brexit Campaign Pack

Article: Nov 16, 2018

For over two years now Liberal Democrats have led the fight to give the people the final say on the deal with the option to remain in the EU.

Parliament has seen the deal that Theresa May has cobbled together. We have a real chance to derail the Conservatives' damaging and chaotic Brexit.

So this Autumn, I'm are asking you to do three simple things:
We're closer than ever

Article: Nov 16, 2018

By Jo Swinson

It's taken us two years of negotiations with the EU to get a deal.

But what we now have in front of us is a very bad deal for the United Kingdom. We are left rule takers not rule makers.

The Liberal Democrats won't stand idly by and watch a Tory Brexit wreck our NHS, endanger our security and damage our economy
Brexit Deal Briefing

Article: Nov 14, 2018

"A People's Vote is now the only way to escape from this mess" - Vince Cable

Any Brexit deal will leave the UK weakened and the public poorer.

"And before the ink is dry, the Conservative Party will tear into what little Theresa May has been able to agree. The Prime Minister now faces a defeat in Parliament, as a majority will be hard or impossible to secure for what she has come up with."
Sal Speaks: November 2018

Article: Nov 13, 2018

This week is Transgender Awareness week, and if you haven't had a chance to read my blog on the importance of supporting and standing alongside our transgender friends and colleagues, you can read it here: libdems.org.uk/trans-rights-are-human-rights.

Transgender and intersex communities are too often marginalised, and many forget that in the fight for equality, trans rights are human rights. We must, and we are, endeavouring to ensure that a vulnerable group of people are able to live as they are entitled to under our laws.
Trans rights are human rights

Article: Nov 12, 2018

By Sal Brinton

Across the Atlantic, Trump and his cronies are doing their very best to rewrite the definition of transgender out of existence. An agenda of social cleansing that feeds into his administration's insular and antagonistic narrative. We may like to think that Trump's views are in isolation, that his fear of difference does not seep to our shores, but it does.

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.