It has been a privilege to campaign in the Brookmeadow ward over the past year. Unfortunately, as is all too often the case in local politics, we were unable to surmount the national trend in what has been a disappointing election for the Labour Party.

Nevertheless, we are not going away. Together with the Hertsmere Labour Party we will continue to work for a fairer deal for Borehamwood. So many local people have commented that our campaign was refreshing; that it presented a real vision as an alternative and genuinely showed how Borehamwood can be better. We will all actively continue to push this agenda from outside the council chamber and will not be shy in coming forward to ensure that the many local people who voted for us can still have their voices heard.

We put up a good fight. We forced the Tories out into parts of the town that many people said they had never seen them in before. Our detailed manifesto on local concerns forced a debate that had been lacking for some time.

We also pay tribute to Hertsmere Labour group leader Ann Harrison who lost her seat. Ann has been a tremendous public servant and contributed a vast amount to the town. Her loss is not just a Labour loss but a loss to all people of the area.

We also congratulate Labour’s parliamentary candidate Richard Butler, who despite a personal tragedy managed to grow the Labour vote by some 3,000 and provided inspirational leadership for the local campaign.

We thank all of those who voted for us, as well as our supporters, friends and family members who have backed us over the past year. We urge local people to continue to engage, be active and press the borough council to listen to your concerns.

Sam Lishak, Jeremy Newmark and Rebecca Schapira

Borehamwood Labour Party