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.

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.

Read Mark Argent's speech to the East Herts and Broxbourne Liberal Democrats AGM, picking up on progress locally - particularly Sophie Bell's success in the Watton-at-Stone by election, and the fast-moving national situation around Brexit.

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

The Leader - vol 3

Article: Feb 13, 2019

Brexit latest

Westminster is in a strange state of lassitude. We know there is a massive Brexit storm ahead; but nothing much is happening. Theresa May's statement to the Commons yesterday was largely an exercise in repetition, including the ludicrous assertion that we might 'accidentally' leave the European Union without a deal.
The government needs to act on female genital mutilation

Article: Feb 12, 2019

Last week a Private Members' Bill aimed at protecting young girls from female genital mutilation was brought to the Commons.

The bill would clear up a loophole in the law. Currently, female genital mutilation doesn't count as one of the conditions for a temporary care order to be issued. This means it's harder to get at-risk girls away from families looking to mutilate their own children.
Two big wins 🙌🎉🎉🎉

Article: Feb 11, 2019

Tomorrow sees two parliamentary bills become law.

Two bills that the Liberal Democrats have been fighting on, to improve the lives of those living in Britain.

Upskirting

Back in June last year, my Private Members' Bill making upskirting a specific criminal offence was kicked out of Parliament by a Tory dinosaur - for no good reason. But we didn't give up.
Another Corbyn Brexit Betrayal

Article: Feb 11, 2019

Despite telling Labour conference he would pursue a People's Vote if he could not secure a General Election, Jeremy Corbyn is now offering support for Theresa May's Brexit.

His support is coming at the cost of people's jobs, our NHS and the environment - he's just missing in action. We've had enough.
Children's Mental Health Week

Article: Feb 9, 2019

By Norman Lamb

When the Liberal Democrats were in Government, I had the privilege of being Minister of State for Care and Support at the Department of Health. As Health Minister I worked to ensure that mental health was treated with the same priority as physical health, introducing the first ever access and waiting time standards for mental health. We also secured more money for children and young people's mental health services.
Vince Cable announces changes to top team

Article: Feb 7, 2019

I am pleased to announce today our new spokespeople who will speak out on the most important issues we face in Britain today.

While Parliament is consumed by Brexit, we need to remember that people are also affected by a whole host of other challenges.

We will continue to speak up for them as we continue our fight for the public to have a say on the Brexit deal with a People's Vote.
Securing a people's vote

Article: Feb 6, 2019

As the battle over Brexit in Parliament reaches its final stages, many people are asking me, "what has happened to the People's Vote"?

Behind the political manoeuvring and procedural wrangles at Westminster, there is still everything to play for. The People's Vote is alive and well.

The next step to securing it is to narrow the options, by removing a massively disruptive 'no deal' from the table.
Eradicating FGM

Article: Feb 6, 2019

Today is International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation

Back in 2013 when I was a DFID minister, together with campaigners like Nimco Ali and Efua Dorkeeno, we kicked off the original government campaign on FGM. We succeeded in securing the biggest ever spending commitment in the world of £35 million to work towards eradicating FGM worldwide.
Join the nature of public debate working group!

Article: Feb 4, 2019

We are currently seeking applicants for a new policy working group on the Nature of Public Debate.

The Federal Policy Committee is setting up a new working group to develop new Liberal Democrat Policy on the Nature of Public Debate.

The working group will look into the developing challenges to high-quality public debate, including:
World Cancer Day

Article: Feb 4, 2019

Today is World Cancer Day.

Half of the people in the UK will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lives. 38% of those diagnoses will have been preventable.

But waiting times for cancer treatment are at the worst level they have ever been. Our NHS is struggling to diagnose rising rates of cancer. Thanks to Conservative mismanagement, it's recruiting fewer doctors, radiologists and nurses.

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.