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.

Stunning Gains in East Herts

I am pleased to announce that after the Town and District elections on 2nd May 2019, the number of local Liberal Democrats Councillors are as follows:

East Herts District Council: 6 (+6) *

Bishop's Stortford Town Council: 5 (+5)

Hertford Town Council: 2 (+2)

Sawbridgeworth: 1 (+1) *

Ware Town Council: 2 (+2)

*compared to 2015

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

Ed Davey: we have a serious opportunity to cement our place as the leading force of Remain

Article: Jun 15, 2019

By Sir Ed Davey MP

I'm running to be Leader of the Liberal Democrats - but your choice could be about far more than simply who leads our Party.

The tectonic plates of British Politics are shifting, and its the most volatile I have seen it in my lifetime. With the Liberal Democrats on 20% in the polls, two main Parties crumbling from the inside, and a re-alignment of political allegiances across the country, we have a golden opportunity to cement our place as the leading force of Remain.
Pride Month: fighting for equality across the United Kingdom

Article: Jun 14, 2019

This month is Pride month. This year, June is also 50 years on from the pivotal Stonewall riots. We've come a long way, yet still couples in Northern Ireland are still denied the right to marry the person that they love.

Internationally, huge progress has been made when it comes to the rights and freedoms of LGBT+ people. Just this summer, Taiwan became the first place in Asia to legalise same-sex marriage while Botswana decriminalised homosexuality in a landmark ruling. But we still have so far to go. In the UK many LGBT+ people still face a grim reality in which discrimination, both socially and in the eyes of the law, blights their everyday reality. The shocking image of a young lesbian couple covered in blood having been subjected to violence on a bus in London this month was a stark reminder that bigotry and prejudice persist.
Why I joined the Liberal Democrats

Article: Jun 14, 2019

I went into politics to put something back into the community I am from and to take our country in a progressive direction. My progressive values lead me to strive to work for a fair and open Britain, which has a strong, mixed market economy, in which everyone can achieve their dreams regardless of their background.
Demand better for unpaid carers

Article: Jun 14, 2019

In the UK currently seven million people are carers. That is one in ten people and the figure is only rising as demographics change and people live longer with more disabilities and illnesses.

Three in five of us will be carers at one point or another in our lives.

That is why it is so important this week, Carers Week, that we understand and recognise the contribution carers make to society.
A record-breaking few months

Article: Jun 14, 2019

We've had an exception two months, winning elections, breaking records and growing our movement. Get the low down here:

Local Elections

We saw our party's best ever local election results, taking control of twelve councils and winning 706 council seats across England.

We took control of Vale of the White Horse, Hinckley & Bosworth, North Norfolk, Winchester, Bath and North East Somerset, Cotswolds, Chelmsford North Devon, Mole Valley, North Devon, Somerset West & Taunton and Teignbridge Councils.
Why I joined the Liberal Democrats

Article: Jun 14, 2019

I went into politics to put something back into the community I am from and to take our country in a progressive direction. My progressive values lead me to strive to work for a fair and open Britain, which has a strong, mixed market economy, in which everyone can achieve their dreams regardless of their background.
People's Vote March, 12 October

Event: Oct 12, 2019

Gather in Hyde Park, London

The People's Vote campaign are organising marches in various cities and in London on 12 October.

A group will be going from Hertford and Stortford, joining with others from East Herts for Europe. Details of the time and place to gather will be posted here nearer the time, but do keep the date free.

This is likely to be a very significant march, and a chance to make our voices heard to help keep the UK in the EU.
Liberal Democrat Conference 2019

Event: Sep 14, 2019 - Sep 17, 2019

Bournemouth International Centre, Exeter Rd, Bournemouth BH2 5BH

The 2019 Liberal Democrat Conference takes place at the Bournemouth International Centre

Click here for booking and details.
Bishop's Stortford Liberal Democrats' Barbeque

Event: Jul 27, 2019 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

9 Avenue Rd, Bishop's Stortford, CM23 5NS

Barbeque at the home of Mione Goldspink to socialise and raise funds.

Tickets £10 from Mione Goldspink tel 01279 656634
Politics and a Pint: Bishop's Stortford, 8 July

Event: Jul 8, 2019 8:00 PM

Nag's Head, 216 Dunmow Road, Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire, CM23 5HP

Come and meet with other Liberal Democrats in East Herts -- after big progress in local and European elections, and against the backdrop of Brexit and national politics.

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.