Labour confirms quartet to contest Hertfordshire County Council seats in Bishop’s Stortford and Sawbridgeworth on May 1
Zero tolerance of anti-social behaviour and a special educational needs task force are two of the manifesto pledges from Hertford and Stortford Labour as they confirm their Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) election candidates.
The constituency party also wants a new home for Bishop’s Stortford’s “inaccessible” library in The Causeway, investment to support jobs and reliable local services, and a road and transport plan to improve connectivity in the county.
East Herts Council (EHC) and Bishop’s Stortford Town Council member David Jacobs will contest the Bishop’s Stortford West seat currently held by Conservative Cllr Alastair Ward-Booth, who is not seeking re-election, in the May 1 election.
The Central ward member has lived in the town since 1993 and worked at the former county court in Northgate End.
In 2023 he retired after 30 years at the Ministry of Justice. For the last five years of his career, he worked for the Metropolitan Police Service’s IT (information technology) department.
Since local elections in May 2023, Cllr Jacobs has been leader of the Labour group on EHC and last year was voted chair of the authority’s overview and scrutiny committee.
His political priorities have included campaigning for “a better vision for the Old River Lane development” and opposing HCC plans to make Cemetery Road one-way and EHC plans to sell off Elizabeth Road shops for development.
Susan Jackson, who was born and brought up in an East Herts village, is contesting the Bishop’s Stortford Rural division held by Conservative Cllr Graham McAndrew. He has decided not to stand again.
Ms Jackson’s working life has included stints in publishing and the drinks industry before working as an NHS administrator. The last 20 years of her working life were spent working for the Labour Party, first in the House of Commons and then as an adviser to the Government, including spells in the Prime Minister’s Office and Home Office.
After retirement, she returned to her roots in Hertfordshire, where she said she valued village life, its volunteering ethos and community spirit.
Paul Newell is standing in the Bishop’s Stortford East division, currently held by Liberal Democrat Cllr Calvin Horner, who is also a district and town councillor.
Mr Newell has lived his whole life in Hertfordshire. He said he was standing to “serve the community and make a difference”. His priorities include raising standards in education.
He volunteers for the Animal Rescue Charity in Bishop’s Stortford and helps at community events.
He is the part-time caretaker and a committee member of High Wych Memorial Hall. Last year, he used his construction know-how to build a model spaceship on the village green for the scarecrow festival.
In the Sawbridgeworth division, Cllr Dawn Newell, Paul’s wife, is attempting to unseat Conservative Cllr Eric Buckmaster, who also sits on the district and town councils.
She is a town councillor in Sawbridgeworth and works to promote inclusion in the community.
Born in Ware, Cllr Newell has lived in East Herts all her life, including Sawbridgeworth for over 20 years.
She was at the heart of the recent campaign to save Leventhorpe pool from closure.
Cllr Newell also volunteers with a group supporting older residents, drawing on experience from her previous job as a service manager supporting adults with learning disabilities.
East Herts Green Party and Hertford and Stortford Conservatives have already announced their candidates. The Indie has invited the constituency’s Liberal Democrats and Reform UK to share their lists.
Herts County Council has 78 members. The present split is 45 Conservatives, 24 Lib Dems, seven Labour, one Green and one Independent.
