Conservative fightback in East Herts begins as party wins by-elections
East Herts Conservatives are celebrating after two town council by-election victories in Hertford, including Labour MP Josh Dean’s former seat.
The Tories also took a seat from the Greens as they rebuild following a resounding defeat in July’s General Election and a rout in May 2023’s local elections.
On Thursday (Sept 19), Ryan Henson won a Castle ward seat on Hertford Town Council and former mayor Susan Barber won Bengeo North, both with 48% shares of the vote.
Cllr Nathan Parsad-Wyatt, chairman of Hertford & Stortford Conservative Association and a Sawbridgeworth town councillor, said: “We are rebuilding our team – door by door, leaflet by leaflet, conversation by conversation – as we begin the journey to restore trust with voters.
“These results are an encouraging start, but we understand the road ahead is long. Our team is fully committed to delivering real solutions and standing up for residents. We will work tirelessly, day by day, to renew faith in the Conservative team.”
The by-elections were triggered by the resignations of Mr Dean to take his seat at Westminster – after overturning Tory Julie Marson’s majority of 19,620 and ending a 41-year run of Conservative MPs in the constituency – and Green Party councillor Paul Williams.
Cllr Henson won Mr Dean’s former seat with 551 votes (48%). Green Party candidate Harriet Moore was second with 299 (26%), Labour former town councillor Rob Pinkham third with 220 (19%) and Liberal Democrat former town councillor Andrew Porrer fourth with 79 (7%).
The winner was the Conservative candidate for Bedford at the 2019 General Election, where he lost to Labour by only 145 votes. He was made a social mobility commissioner by the Conservative Government and is an associate fellow at Bright Blue, “the independent think tank for liberal conservatism”.
Cllr Henson said after his victory: “I’m humbled by the support of local residents and grateful for the opportunity to serve our community. This victory is a clear mandate to stand up against Labour and Green councillors, who have imposed unnecessary tax hikes on our town. I will work tirelessly to keep council tax fair, promote investment and protect our green spaces.”
Cllr Barber said: “It is a privilege to be elected by the people of Bengeo North. The residents here deserve better than the policies we’ve seen from the current Green-led council. My focus will be on delivering tangible improvements for our area. I’m looking forward to working for the community and ensuring their voices are heard.”
She polled 720 votes (48%), beating the Green Party’s Robert Beahan into second with 588 (38%). Labour’s Martin Smith was third on 146 (10%) and Lib Dem Geoffrey Madge polled 62 votes (4%).
In May 2023, the Green Party convincingly seized control of Hertford Town Council, winning 12 of its 16 seats with Labour taking the four others. In 2019, the Greens had just two councillors and the council was controlled by 10 Conservatives, with the other seats held by two Labour members and two Lib Dems.
The 2023 poll also ended 28 years of Conservative control at East Herts Council. The Greens took 19 seats, which allowed them to form an administration with 10 Lib Dems, leaving the Tories with 16 seats and Labour with five. Two Green councillors have since decided to sit as Independents.
The Hertford & Stortford Conservative Association elected a new leadership team in August with a mission to challenge the Green and Lib Dem coalition at East Herts Council and the Labour MP.
