North Herts Election result 2023: Gains for Labour and Lib Dems

Following the vote, Labour is now the single largest political group for North Herts Council, having gained two seats from the Conservatives on May 4.

Since 2019 there has been no overall control of the council – a joint Labour and Liberal Democrat administration will remain in place.

Similar to the national picture, Conservatives made losses locally, with Liberal Democrats also gaining two of their seats in North Herts.

North Herts Council office (Image: North Herts Council)

Liberal Democrats gained seats in Royston Meridian and Chesfield wards, while Labour took Letchworth Grange and Royston Palace.

The council make up following the election (Image: Flourish)

The results in full are as follows:

Arbury – 51 per cent voter turnout

• Leo Chapman, Labour – 53 votes
• Nikki Da Costa, Conservative – 437 votes
• Davina Malcolm, Green – 42 votes
• Tom Tyson, Liberal Democrats – 618 votes - elected

Baldock Town – 38 per cent voter turnout

• Tim Lee, Green – 173 votes
• Michael Muir, Conservative – 917 votes - elected
• Steve Thomas, Liberal Democrats – 279 votes
• James Toone, Labour – 774 votes

Cadwell – 43 per cent voter turnout

• Louise Peace, Liberal Democrats – 480 votes - elected
• Anni Sander, Green – 57 votes
• Alan Trangmar, Labour – 75 votes
• Chris Williams, Conservative – 235 votes

Chesfield – 32 per cent voter turnout

• Dominic Griffiths, Liberal Democrats – 697 votes - elected
• Steven Patmore, Conservative – 509 votes
• Vijaiya Poopalasingham, Labour – 419 votes

Ermine – 43 per cent voter turnout

• Gerald Morris, Conservative – 518 votes - elected
• Hugh Parker, Green – 107 votes
• Hugo Rainey, Liberal Democrats – 197 votes
• Vaughan West, Labour – 99 votes

Hitchin Bearton – 38 per cent voter turnout

• Jonathan Clayden, Liberal Democrats - 302 votes
• Sid Cordle, Christian Peoples Alliance - 46 votes
• Deolinda Eltringham, Green - 382 votes
• Charles Laing, Conservative - 341 votes
• Dave Winstanley, Labour – 1,309 – elected

Hitchin Highbury – 43 per cent voter turnout

• Angela Griggs, Labour – 362 votes
• Keith Hoskins, Liberal Democrat – 1,678 votes - elected
• Ethan Parmar, Conservative – 479 votes
• Leigh Smith, Christian Peoples Alliance – 38 votes
• Kruna Vukmirovic, Green – 113 votes

Hitchin Walsworth – 36 per cent voter turnout

• Sam Forsyth, Conservative – 482 votes
• William Lavin, Green – 272 votes
• Asher Smith, Christian Peoples Alliance – 58 votes
• Liz Townsend, Liberal Democrats – 312 votes

Daniel Wright-Mason, Labour – 1,103 – elected

Hitchwood, Offa and Hoo - 40 per cent voter turnout

• David Barnard, Conservative – 1,191 votes - elected
• Nicky Clark, Green - 421 votes
• Tom Hogan, Labour - 318 votes
• Susana Munoz Maniega, Liberal Democrats - 445 votes

Letchworth Grange - 35 per cent voter turnout

• Steve Adelantando, Reform UK - 100 votes
• Harrison Edwards, Conservative - 608 votes
• Sal Jarvis, Liberal Democrats - 148 votes
• Daniel Marsh, Labour - 839 votes - elected
• David Morris, Green - 205 votes

Letchworth South East - 37 per cent voter turnout

• Andrew Clare, Conservative - 711 votes
• Mick Debenham, Labour - 741 votes - elected
• Maryla Hart, Green - 135 votes
• Paul Marment, Liberal Democrats - 237 votes
• Garry Warren, Reform UK – 103 votes

Letchworth South West - 45 per cent voter turnout

• Sadie Billing, Labour - 344 votes
• Morgan Derbyshire, Conservative – 897 votes
• Dugald Muir, Green – 180 votes
• Sean Prendergast, Liberal Democrats - 1,223 – elected

Royston Heath - 41 per cent voter turnout

• Mary Antony, Independent - 301 votes
• Hammad Baig, Conservative - 394 votes
• Ken Garland, Labour - 195 votes
• Bryony May, Liberal Democrats - 954 votes – elected

Royston Meridian - 39 per cent voter turnout

• Matt Barnes, Liberal Democrats - 847 votes - elected
• Stephen Boakes, Conservative - 435 votes
• Luke Haugh, Independent - 173 votes
• Stephen Lockett, Labour - 130 votes
• Des Stephens, Green - 53 votes

Royston Palace - 34 per cent voter turnout

• Cathy Brownjohn, Labour - 549 votes - elected
• Elizabeth Freeman, Liberal Democrats - 237 votes
• Jean Green, Conservative - 364 votes
• Rob Inwood, Independent - 304 votes

Weston and Sandon - 46 per cent voter turnout

• Rhona Cameron, Labour - 55 votes
• Helen Derbyshire, Conservative - 104 votes
• Steve Jarvis, Liberal Democrats - 583 votes - elected

The council is now made up of 19 Labour, 15 Lib Dem and 15 Conservative members.

North East Herts MP Sir Oliver Heald commented on Conservative losses (Image: UK Parliament)

At the count, held at North Herts Leisure Centre on Friday, May 5, North East Herts MP Sir Oliver Heald said: He told the Comet: "Overall, it's been a disappointing election for the Conservatives, with some high points.

"I feel sorry for the good candidates who have been undermined by the national situation. But I'm confident that, given Rishi Sunak's performance so far, that we will turn the tide."

Labour made two gains (Image: NHDC)

Labour councillor, and leader Elizabeth Dennis-Harburg said: “I think it's a brilliant result, building on the gains that Labour has made in North Herts over the last four years. I am proud we're now the single largest political party on the council. We will be looking to talk to the Lib Dems on delivering a positive future for North Herts."

Lib Dem group leader Ruth Brown added: "We're delighted to have held all our defences and won our target seats.

"I'm looking forward to continuing to work for the best of all our residents."