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Tory power surge - party leader vows to repay voters' trust
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| Tightening their grip: new Conservative councillor Andrew Zucker is congratuled by Hertsmere Borough Council leader Morris Bright |
The triumphant leader of Hertsmere Conservative group has vowed to repay voters' trust after his party strengthened its hold on Hertsmere Borough Council.
Councillor Morris Bright was speaking after the Tories gained three additional councillors in last Thursday's elections, giving the party 31 of the 39 seats in the council chamber.
The Liberal Democrats remain the main opposition party with five councillors, down two, and Labour is left with three representatives after losing Ian Feeney's Brookmeadow seat.
Reflecting on the results this week, Mr Bright said with no borough elections until 2010 his administration could now "settle down" and concentrate on "community engagement".
He said: "We consult well with residents and I think it is now time to engage the community and ask them what they would like us to do.
"They should be part of policy formation. It has got to be about working for the community.
"It's not about wanting power, it's having the power to do things. People have shown their trust in us and we must repay them."
Residents voted in 13 wards across the borough, with the biggest surprise coming in Bushey North, where Lib Dem group leader Robert Gamble lost out to the Tories' Steve O'Brien.
The party's remaining councillors are expected to select a new leader within the next week.
Andrew Zucker, who ousted Mr Feeney by 75 votes, said: "I'd like to pay tribute to Ian for a good campaign. The turn out was hugely up on last year. It reflects how things have gone nationally and it's a good result."
The 38-year-old long-haul airline pilot said his day job would not stop him serving ward residents.
He added: "I'm doing several trips a month but I do have time during the day to help people out."
Mr Feeney said: "What is sad for me is if the voting was based on what I've achieved over the year, then that could have made a difference. Unfortunately, national results played a part in this, so we have fallen foul of that."
Labour group leader Ann Harrison held on to her seat in Borehamwood's Cowley Hill ward by just 40 votes, following tough competition from Conservative candidate Farida Turner.
She said: "I'm delighted to get back in, but we are very sorry to lose Ian. I know he was only there for a year, but he was a very good councillor, and hopefully we can get him back in the future.
"Looking at the results nationally, I was wondering whether I should even go to the count, but it is gratifying that people came out and voted."
Conservative councillor Hannah David held her Borehamwood Hillside ward with a big majority. She picked up 1,091 votes to Labour candidate Peter Hedges' 473.
Gavin Whenman, the only Lib Dem to stand in the town, received 220 votes.
Mrs David said: "I'm delighted. I can now carry on with my job. You never take anything for granted in politics, but it instills confidence that I'm doing a good job."
Mr Whenman said: "The lesson for the Lib Dems in Hertsmere is that this is a Tory borough, and it will take a lot of hard work and patience to change that."
Those views were echoed by Mr Gamble who said: "We actually had a bit of a drubbing. We are trying to work out what all the reasons were - there must be half a dozen.
"I had been a councillor since 2002, so it's very disappointing. The Tories will be strutting around like turkey-cocks I suppose.
"They will feel vindicated, maybe even invincible. It is a particularly clear run for them now, like playing against ten men."
Mr Bright added: "Brookmeadow was a big win, but it was an election both sides took very seriously. The turnout was pushed up by a third. We had three target seats - the other two were in Bushey - and we took all three.
"We do not take seats for granted, and it is not just a case of Gordon Brown being unpopular - we worked very hard.
"If we were a poor council providing poor services it would not matter how unpopular a prime minister may be, we would not be holding on to seats.
"We are not doing everything brilliantly, but we are doing some things well and good."
Turnout around the borough was higher than expected, averaging around 35 to 38 per cent in the majority of wards.
The highest figure came in Aldenham East, where John Graham was returned to the council chamber with a substantial majority of more than 1,000 from a turnout of 40 per cent.
In contrast, Cowley Hill's tight result came with just 26.6 per cent of eligible voters visiting the ballot box.
Click here to see a picture gallery from last Thursday's count.
4:59pm Thursday 8th May 2008
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