GREEN Party Co-Leader Carla Denyer MP joined Greens in East Herts at the weekend to launch their County Council local election campaign, with a rallying cry to oust the Conservatives who’ve shown they’re unable to tackle critical issues in Hertfordshire. 

Nearly 100 Green Party supporters joined the launch event, where they called out the Conservatives for wasting millions while creating a ‘County of Chaos’. The party announced that it is standing 10 candidates in the May elections – one for every County Council seat in East Herts – and will be building on their huge success at the 2023 District Elections.

Carla Denyer MP said:

“This May the residents of East Hertfordshire have an opportunity to bring an end to Conservative County Council dominance once and for all and the Greens are best placed to oust them here. I’m delighted to lend my support to the East Herts Green Party’s exciting campaign.

It’s incredible to see the rise in Green votes here in East Hertsover the last few years. I’m pleased to be here, fully committed to supporting this vital campaign and excited to be a part of the change we’re seeing. 

The work that the Green-led District Council is doing here shows how much can be achieved with genuine commitment and by listening to residents’ needs. May’s elections are a once-in-a-generation chance to bring real change and I have no doubt that this team is ready to lead the way.” 

The core message at the event was that “Enough is Enough.” After decades in charge of the County Council, the Conservatives have stopped listening to residents. The Green Party’s success in East Herts proves they’re the best chance to oust the Conservatives locally. In May residents will have a genuine opportunity to vote for real change. 

East Herts Green Party highlights all the issues that the Conservatives have failed to tackle whilst in control of the County Council:

• Neglected Roads: We have had one of the UK’s worst pothole records and our roads are full of blocked drains and unresolved flooding issues
• Failed Families: OFSTED slammed Special Educational Needs services here, plus village schools and youth centres have been axed
• Underfunded Public Transport: Vital bus routes have been cut, isolating the elderly and rural residents, and they’ve delayed electric buses until 2026
• Ignored a Public Health Crisis: Failed to tackle air pollution from traffic leaving residents ill and costing us all £100 million in health costs every year
• Wasted Millions: Overspent by £20 million and thrown away taxpayer money on delays, consultants and TV ads

The Greens pledge to end the chaos and:

• Fix our Roads: Invest in sustainable repairs, not wasteful compensation 
• Support Families: Keep schools and youth centres open, transform Special Educational Needs services
• Tackle Pollution: Prioritise public health,  improve road safety and speed up electric bus rollouts
• Spend Wisely: End wasteful spending and invest in our community

The Green Party candidates for the County Council elections are:

• Andrew Zsibrita – Bishop’s Stortford East
• George Williams – Bishop’s Stortford Rural
• Maura Connolly – Bishop’s Stortford West
• Georgina Schwan – Buntingford
• Ben Crystall – Hertford All Saints
• Lydia Somerville – Hertford Rural
• Rachel Carter – Hertford St Andrews
• James Taylor-Moran – Sawbridgeworth
• Kirsty Taylor-Moran – Ware North
• Steven Watson – Ware South

Green County Councillor Ben Crystall, who is leader of East Herts District Council, said the event showed how there is a real need for change. 

“I’m horrified at how much money the Conservative County Council has wasted, while failing many residents. Enough is enough. People in our area are passionate for change and this is a historic opportunity to replace a failing Conservative County Council. In East Herts, the Greens are the only party who are strong enough to take them on. It’s time to vote for real change.“