Ward by ward: Church Langley and Newhall: More hard yards needed from Hardware?
Elections / Wed 29th Apr 2026 at 08:10am
THIS should be pretty straightforward but this is 2026.
This has always been solid Conservative territory. One year, councillor Andrew Johnson polled over 2,000 voters.
However, back in the UKIP days, things got a bit close in the Essex County Council elections but not close enough.
But as the Newhall area has grown, it is difficult to ascertain where the vote lies.
We are conscious that these pieces are issue-light. There are plenty of issues in this ward both locally and nationally. This is one of these areas that has hints of an anti-social problem.
We know that towards the end of his tenure, Robert Halfon thought that there was a sizeable left-ish vote here.
That may benefit the Green candidate Benji White.
It may also just be another problem for Labour candidate Jeff Mace.
The Conservative candidate Mike Hardware is also the present portfolio holder for Garden Town and Planning. He has been a valuable asset to Dan Swords. He hasn’t been in full health over last year but he seems to approaching full fitness. If returned he may need to step up his game. Or perhaps that suits Dan Swords?
We interviewed Tracy Cranfield. As Tracy detailed, brought up in Harlow, got a lot out of Harlow and wants to put back in. To be honest, we kept this interview quite light because this is more about local residents wanting to get involved in civic society.
To us, Tracy appeared to be a lot like Reform councillor Paul Jago, who would be happy to be on the back bench. But we have said that of nearly all the Reform candidates. Their problem is finding a front bench.
YH Prediction: Cons Hold
Interview with Reform candidate Tracy Cranfield.
Graham
2026-04-29 08:47:52
So we are being asked to vote someone who has never been to a Council meeting, doesn't know what it is responsible for, thinks a nightclub is for university students only ( what about over 30's , 1970s, 80's nights etc?), criticises the regeneration and fears the money will run out when everything has already been provisioned and set out in the Budget that was supported and voted for by Reform!!!! She clearly hasn't read or understood the Budget or knows what her party has voted for. Like all the Reform candidates so far, they mix national with local. Does she not even understand that Dan Swords can't authorise or cancel elections only the government can and did. Just not up to the task and has not done her homework. As a Newhall resident, I will stick with the seasoned and experienced councillor, Mike Hardware of the local Conservatives. This time the future of our town is at stake.
Dave
2026-04-29 09:27:08
One thing she says and applies to me and many others and is at national level support Reform, but in these local elections it is only about Harlowxand what is best for our town and hands down that has to be Dan Swords and the local Conservatives who are doing a fantastic job locally. On May 7 my vote is for the local Conservatives to continue.
David Forman
2026-04-29 10:11:24
Mike Hardware is a safe pair of hands and is genuinely approachable.
Christine
2026-04-29 10:20:42
Very disappointed with the quality ( or rather lack thereof) of the Reform leaflets which are almost exclusively about national issues that have nothing to do with responsibilities of local authorities. This raises serious concerns that they are completely muddled and do not understand the role of a council and have no clear Harlow specific policies or plans. Voting for Dan Swords proven local Conservatives is the only viable option.
Michelle
2026-04-29 10:44:02
Tracy sounds a nice enough lady, but way out of her depth.
Steve
2026-04-29 12:02:58
Reform just want to tell you what is wrong, not what they’d actually do about it. I’ll be voting for Dan Swords and his team to continue their great work in getting Harlow moving and improving.
Mr George
2026-04-29 12:29:46
In my opinion Reform are a one-trick pony, all about immigration. Well, that's not what we want to hear about when it comes to our town. Leaflets dropped through my letterbox yesterday, with Farage's face plastered all over them and to 'kick out Starmer'. You know what? Not relevant to local elections. Reform have missed an opportunity to be fresh. To engage with people, to stop the politics that solely wants to trash other political parties with no originality of their own, to have some real new, good ideas. All I've seen from them is hate, division and a lot of people out of their depth, spouting lies. When can we have a decent political party in the UK? We are due one, surely?!
Tracy Cranfield
2026-04-29 17:14:32
To all I keep hearing its a local election! Regeneration of the town! Westminster and decisions there effect local people ... Labour are going to close asylum hotels, full of illegal immigrants. They will be put in HMO ! Harlow has roughly 300 of them . Your not going to want them living next door to you . So if you bury your heads in the sand and think local elections aren't a stepping stone to Westminster , you are so wrong . Im sure the parents of the Epping girl and Bishops Stortford girl attacks by migrants think the same its a local election 🤔 We need to protect our women and girls in the town , and I will be a strong voice on this. Not a back bencher ! so voting national issues do concern local. It will be lovely having a regenerated town , unsafe for women ! I dont spew hate and lies ..... Yes Harlow council did put a motion to stop your democratic right to vote ! Labour except Ed it . Which was illegal! If reform hadn't gone though the court route ,your right to vote which Dan Swords is now begging for wouldn't be happening . If you OK with that then that's fine . Im not . Im not fine with the financial statement being delayed until after the elections . Im not fine with the fire station has a one lane to cross town for a fire . Im not fine with a harlow spokesman who said the bus station is running on time . It's not it was due to be finished June 26. Who is the spokesman? Where are the facts , oh the financial statement that isn't ready . Again if you are happy with that then So be . I AM NOT Kind regards Tracy . Regards Tracy
Mr George
2026-04-29 17:28:30
Tracy, every time you write, you bury yourself further.
Paula
2026-04-29 18:55:56
Mr George is right. Tracy clearly has no grasp of what this election is about. Councils do not control the election timetable, the decisions rest with central government. She is clearly unqualified or unsuited to be a councillor. If it is not broke, don't fix it. We have a great council under Dan Swords and long may it continue. Definitely the local Conservatives on 7 May.
Tracy Cranfield
2026-04-29 20:07:05
Im going to come off Your Harlow , I thought I could have good thought provoking conversation. Unfortunately none of you except for Maureen , is prepared to have a decent debate and talk about topics for Harlow. Im not going to keep putting myself in the firing line for your unnecessary abuse . Regards Tracy .
Graham
2026-04-29 20:41:06
Well Tracy, you can be sure that life in the Council Chamber will be far harsher than here and that the far left Labour Momentum members will show no mercy. This again shows that you are not really up to the task of becoming a councillor.
ScottH
2026-04-29 21:08:25
Tracy is exactly what Harlow needs, someone who speaks for ordinary folk, who set their alarm clocks, work hard, raise their families and want the best for Harlow and need a councillor who understands the daily challenges. Talk of "quality" and "out of depth" above is utter hokum; council chambers are not a place for would-be professional politicians, egotists or the entitled, they exist for local communities to be represented with honesty and integrity, qualities that Tracy has in spades.
Stephen
2026-04-29 22:04:09
Scott you are talking nonsense as usual. You really need to get a grip. Your party has no specific plans for Harlow. Just look at the slogans on your battered bus on your leaflets. Most of it relates to issues that are nothing to do with local councils. You lot are just riding on the coattails of illegal immigration, which is fine but has nothing to do with Harlow Council. Like poor Tracy you too are way outside your depth.
Madelaine
2026-04-29 22:14:53
Hey Scott, I understand that you can't stand as a candidate for Harlow District because you don't live Harlow. Is that true and, if so, who will be the spokesperson for Reform in the Council as that is not mentioned in your leaflets. I noticed in your leaflet that Reform pledges to stop illegal migration, but how can Harlow Council do that when it is a matter for government? This is very misleading to say the least. Will you be issuing a new leaflet or making a statement to correct this blatant false statement?
Julia
2026-04-29 22:21:50
ScottH, you say that the wholly unqualified Tracy is what we need in the Council. What is the case for two other Reform candidates - the flasher who allegedly sends unsolicited pictures of his private parts to female work colleagues and the porn addict who allegedly was using his council laptop to view porn sites? Are they also, to quote your words: "...exactly what Harlow needs"? Sounds like Reform's candidate vetting process is going great guns!
Mr George
2026-04-29 23:24:04
Scott, there are many people in Harlow who set their alarm clocks, work hard, raise their families and want the best for Harlow, this is not the special qualification you think it is to run for our votes. Be clever, be good, be better, not seen any of this on your press release, the leaflets through my door and most certainly not here on YH.. Not everyone in Harlow is going to vote Reform in the locals because of immigrants, you need more to entice a voter surely and not be a one-trick pony.
ScottH
2026-04-29 23:25:24
Here's an idea for you 'Stephen' - read just one of the 100,000+ leaflets we will have out by the 7th and you'll realise how uninformed you sound. Second point - you are breathtakingly naive to think that national level issues do not end up landing on the doorstep of local authorities. Come on 'Stephen', time to wake up.
ScottH
2026-04-29 23:34:52
'Madelaine' - Oh this is such old news, where have you been? Yes I live in Lower Sheering. Lower Sheering is in Harlow constituency. It is also in Essex. I can stand county but you're so right, I cannot stand for the district council...so what's your point? All that said if I had a business based in the district for at least a year then I could stand...would that pass your eligibility test better than the fact I've raised my three kids in Harlow, worked in Harlow for 30 years, been a school governor in a Harlow primary etc etc. As for Leader of a Reform group, well that depends who wins a seat doesn't it. Immigration, not once do we cite that as a local issue in any of our literature. It may be mentioned as national backdrop but never locally speaking because we don't control the borders around Harlow of course(!), though by your talk of my eligibility to stand or not, it sounds like you think you do.
Scott H
2026-04-29 23:37:25
Julia, not too hot on policy or priorities then, you're more at the Sunday Sport end of debate by the looks. I'll leave you to it.
ScottH
2026-04-29 23:40:37
Mr George - if you've had leaflets through the door as you say, then I recommend you read them. From your jaundiced comment on "immigrants", it sounds like you haven't bothered to. So why waste everyone's time with vacuous comments on here??
Mr George
2026-04-30 01:09:38
Scott, you did give me a titter over the vacuous comments, very very amusing coming from you. As for the leaflet with Nigels face all over it, and get tories out quip, I was done ta and they went in the bin, neither relevant for local elections..... unless Nige is going to pretend he lives here like he pretends to live in Clacton? How is your mate too, still working out an explaination as to why he said to the people of Harlow that knife crime was up 200%? Taking a while. I presume this, with all your comments on here, will ignore when asked hard questions, and just carry on the attack instead.
Mr George
2026-04-30 01:14:42
Scott, I notice your other comment. Your colleague Tracy has mentioned, at length, here on YH about immigration and it being a local issue.. Like it or not it is out there to be scrutinised as much as any phamplet and bus that comes to town.
Ben
2026-04-30 18:37:52
Tracy and Scott will have patrols on the Stort to stop illegal crossings and incursions from Hertfordshire! 😂
Tracy Cranfield
2026-05-01 14:06:15
@BEN How many illegal immigrants are staying in the The Bell at Epping. UNFORTUNLEY they get off the boats and get put right on Our doorstep! Hmm that seems local enough for me .Oh and they are given money and can catch a bus to Harlow . Regards Tracy
Malcolm
2026-05-01 17:20:24
Tracy Cranfield, Dan Swords and his team have provided concrete proof that they will not tolerate this type of thing in Harlow. 1. Rigourous enforcement of laws to remove unauthorised travellers 2. Blocked a Newham Council from dumping people on their housing list in Harlow at Burnt Mills apartment development. 3. Together with intervention from former MP Robert Halfon, stopped the new Wych Development to be used by the Home Office to house 'refugees'. 4. Condition of acquiring Terminus House with vacant possession to have all non-Harlow residents returned to their London boroughs. Harlow is well safeguarded by Dan Swords and his team on this count. Plus they know how to do it unlike Reform who have no such experience. Also if you have any doubt about Reform's lack of awareness check out this report which includes an eye opening interview with your Mark Hall candidate Mark Gough. Interested to hear your views on this. https://bylinetimes.com/2026/05/01/i-set-up-a-fake-far-right-news-channel-to-interview-reform-uk-candidates-and-this-is-what-they-told-me/
Julia
2026-05-01 17:55:28
Scott, we all notice that you have not denied it. How should that be interpreted? I believe it will shortly be revealed to YH.
Paula
2026-05-01 20:41:28
So looking forward to see Reform's squalid secrets revealed before the elections. I am pretty saw it would reach the national press and BBC as it should. Who is the elusive REFORM flasher and who is the degenerate REFORM Porn King? No doubt portrayed by ScottH as the type of upstanding citizens that "we need on the Council" 😂
Mr George
2026-05-01 20:57:49
Tracy, I thoight you had already flounced off from YH as you said above? Could not resist coming back for another asylum seeker quip eh? One trick ponies are Reform.
Tracy Cranfield
2026-05-01 21:49:45
@Malcom None of what you mentioned is HMO 's . Labour want to rehouse immigrants from hotels ! Lets just wait and see shall we. @Mr George No im not a one trick pony , I care very passionately for the women and girls that live in Harlow and there safety should be paramount. My granddaughter goes to town and i want to make sure she is safe .Or do you not agree? Once you know more about me , im a small business owner of 23 years , also included i have a small rental portfolio in Harlow. I have a good understanding of the rules and regulations of property rentals and the conditions that tenants should live in . Oh and like most drivers a know what a pot hole is!
Mr George
2026-05-01 22:33:31
Tracy, so what else do you do to ensure the safety of women and girls? I don't see you mention anything other than immigrants in hotels. What about all the Andrew Tate style influencers out there that are changing the way UK young men treat women, for very much the worst at an incredible speed? Do anything about that kind of harm for your granddaughter or is it just the ones with a funny accent and different colour skin? I hope so, if so passionate.
Alex
2026-05-01 23:27:33
Tracy what in concrete terms are you going to do different to the current administration? Don't you think Dan Swords team would vehemently oppose government plans house refugees in HMOs? Other than that, which seems a Reform obsession as Mr George points out, what exactly does Reform bring to the table that actually constitutes value added? So far, from what you, ScottH and your leaflets reveal, I can nothing tangible or measurable.
Mike
2026-05-01 23:34:52
Tracy, just a reminder, you forgot comment on Mark Gough interview posted above by Malcolm...... and ?
Mr George
2026-05-02 09:12:30
Tracy is selective as to what she will talk about, narrowly so. She only talks about immigrants, textbook reform member. Oh, and when pushed (while complaining after being labelled as a one-trick pony), a pothole or to complain about other political parties. Not really displaying any of the qualities that is needed to run our council.
Me, Harlow
2026-05-02 09:18:44
Could you imagine getting in touch with her or any of the reform candidates as a councillor? Boring stuff that they deal with from their constituents day in day out and what is 95% of the job. For example, 'Hey, Tracy, my rubbish still isn't being collected, can you help?' Or, 'Tracy, I am having real trouble with my next door neighbour's dog barking', to be met with 'AHHHH, It's all the immigrants fault!'. Ad infinitum.
Carolyn
2026-05-02 20:02:08
Tracy Cranfield and Scott H what is your position on the following report, which mentions two Reform candidates in Harlow: Eileen McManus (Old Harlow) and Shirley Ann McGee (Passmores). https://hopenothate.org.uk/2026/05/02/reform-uk-essex-white-supremacist/
Morag
2026-05-03 08:33:57
I read the article posted by Carolyn. It is quite shocking. I hope we get some reply from Tracy Cranfield or Scott H. These issues need to be addressed.
Morag
2026-05-03 08:40:19
This is extract taken form the report regarding Old Harlow Reform candidate Eileen NcManus: Quote - McManus has responded in enthusiastic terms to numerous posts by and about Tommy Robinson. She has said, for instance, that the anti-Muslim extremist “uncovered truths that were hidden for years and is vilified for it”, called for people to help “crowd fund him”, and responded to a post asking whether Enoch Powell, the late politician most well-known for his racist 1968 ‘Rivers of Blood’ speech, was right, by commenting: “Yes and so was TRobinson 2 decades ago”. In November 2024 – while Robinson was in jail for contempt of court after repeating false claims about a Syrian refugee – McManus wrote: “Free Tommy!! He shouldn’t be in prison”.UNQUOTE
Julia
2026-05-03 11:20:57
So these two candidates in the report are added to the candidate who was a flasher sending unsolicited photos of his genitals to female work colleagues and the porn pervert with porn images on his council owned computer. Sounds like Reform's vetting is going swimmingly well!!!! What do you say Tracy and Scotty?
Mr George
2026-05-03 11:35:08
Shocking isn't it? What won't be shocking is Tracy and Scott's silence which can be seen as complicit.
Annabella
2026-05-10 18:44:27
What gets me is the 'protecting women and girls' line. I can't find any supporting evidence for Reform. It seems there is no INDEPENDENT evidence or statistics on violent crime against women that shows race, religion or nationality. The only substantial evidence is that the majority of violence against women is by men ... but not ALL men, and that's the point.
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