Labour react after taking three Conservative seats in Borehamwood

A trio of seats in the town, all previously held by the Conservatives, went to Labour after votes were counted at the Radlett Centre on Saturday.

The party claimed both county council seats in Borehamwood as well as the vacant borough council seat in the Kenilworth ward.

Cowley Hill Labour councillor Richard Butler secured victory in Borehamwood South in the Hertfordshire County Council elections - the first time Labour have won the seat in 20 years.

He told the Times: "Because of the national picture, I wasn't expecting to win the seat and I went into the count on Saturday open minded but I thought it was a done deal.

"I was shocked to realise that I had won and winning is brilliant for the local Labour party and also for Herts Labour."

Cllr Richard Butler pictured in Borehamwood South, the division he has been elected to represent. Credit: Guy Bhana

Cllr Butler says he has received congratulations from Brian York, the last Labour county councillor in Borehamwood South, as well as from his fellow 2021 candidates, including his Tory counterpart, Brett Rosehill.

The newly elected county representative added: "We had an even campaign with the Tories but one thing I've learnt during my political career is to never be deterred because people change their minds.

"I think this sends a message that people in Borehamwood have had enough of local development without the right infrastructure and that the Tories got complacent and took votes for granted.

"As county councillor, I'll do the best for residents regardless of the political party I represent. I'll happily speak out against policies that I don't believe will favour residents but I'll also speak up for policies that I think will benefit residents."

Cllr Butler will be joined at County Hall in Hertford by his colleague Michelle Vince, who took the Borehamwood North seat.

Cllrs Michelle Vince and Richard Butler in Radlett on Saturday

She said: "I feel emotional. I hoped we could win it. This is my life and I want a better life for our residents. Parts of Borehamwood have been forgotten and I want a better Borehamwood. It can be better. I want to thank everyone who voted for me from the bottom of my heart."

Cllr Vince, who works alongside Cllr Butler in Cowley Hill, says she plans to focus on tackling a range of issues including adult care, streetlights, and roads. She has also called for no more building on greenbelt land.

Cllr Michelle Vince pictured with Hertsmer Labour campaign manger Guy Bhana, 18.

Labour completed a hat-trick on Saturday when Dan Ozarow took the Borehamwood Kenilworth by-election, which was taking place following the death of Conservative councillor Cynthia Barker last year.

Dr Ozarow, who has unsuccessfully fought for this seat twice before, said the victory felt "amazing" because of his previous elections in the ward.

He said: "I really want to thank the residents for believing in me. I'm going to work really hard to get the GP surgery this area needs - that is my main pledge. I will also work to protect the greenbelt which is disappearing in front of our eyes, and I want an audit of the empty buildings in Kenilworth and to improve youth provision.

"The Tories have been complacent for far too long. It has been an incredible campaign."

Dan Ozarow pictured inside the Radlett Centre with Guy Bhana, campaigns manager

Before the count took place, Dr Ozarow said it would be an "honour" to follow in the footsteps of the late Ms Barker, who he described as a "warm and kind person who was fondly regarded across the political spectrum in Hertsmere".

The three victorious Labour candidates have all thanked their team for their support over campaign, but in particular, they each singled out 18-year-old campaigns manager Guy Bhana for his work and efforts.

The Conservatives lost a further seat on Saturday - to the Lib Dems in Bushey North - but the party held onto its seats in Watling, Bushey South, Potters Bar West & Shenley, and Potters Bar East.

See more: Election results from 2021 local elections in Hertsmere and Hertfordshire

Cllr Morris Bright, Conservative leader of Hertsmere Borough Council, and new deputy leader of Hertfordshire County Council

Cllr Morris Bright, the county councillor for Potters Bar West & Shenley and leader of Hertsmere Borough Council, said while the count was ongoing that regardless of the outcome, it was a "good thing" for local democracy if more people came out to vote.

He added: "The Conservatives never take residents or votes for granted nor do we make promises we cannot keep. Labour locally have made some very interesting commitments which we know are undeliverable and residents will see this in the months and years ahead.

"There's lots of work to do now as we all emerge from the Covid crisis and now that the elections are out of the way, we can get back to focussing on helping residents and businesses across our towns and communities."