Letter to Editor: Robert Halfon: The local elections on 7th May are, I genuinely believe, the most important in a generation for our town
Your Say / Sat 2nd May 2026 at 10:01am
Dear Editor,
AS someone who served Harlow for over fourteen years as its Member of Parliament, I have mostly stayed out of politics since stepping down from office.
But the local elections on 7th May are, I genuinely believe, the most important in a generation for our town — and I feel compelled to make the case.
I am immensely proud of what Leader Dan Swords and his Conservative team have achieved. Dan, of course, was himself a qualified apprentice in my parliamentary office — and watching him go on to lead Harlow Council, delivering real and visible change for residents, is one of the things I am most proud of from my time as MP. He is proof that when you give young people a chance to climb the ladder of opportunity, they can do remarkable things.
The transformation of Harlow under Conservative leadership has been striking. After years in which too little changed, residents can now see genuine renewal — rebuilding of our town centre, a cleaner, greener Harlow, which they can take pride in again; real action on anti-social behaviour that for too long blighted our neighbourhoods; and a 5-year freeze on council tax, providing vital relief to hard-pressed families. These are not small achievements. They reflect a council that is unified, focused, and working hard for the people it serves.
The return of major retailers — including IKEA and Marks & Spencer — sends a powerful signal that business confidence in Harlow is back. Investors and employers do not come to towns they have given up on. They come to towns that are going somewhere. Harlow is going somewhere special.
Add to this the serious work being done on social housing and our public services, and you can see a Conservative council that understands its responsibilities — not just to the current generation, but to the children and grandchildren who will inherit the Harlow we leave behind.
There is, of course, much more to do. No honest politician would claim otherwise. But the direction is right, the momentum is real, and the team is proven.
I urge every resident of Harlow to vote Conservative on 7th May. Give Dan Swords and his team the chance to finish the job to build an even better Harlow.
Yours sincerely,
Rt Hon. Robert Halfon
Former Member of Parliament for Harlow, 2010–2024
Gary Roberts
2026-05-02 13:44:53
The local Conservatives must be struggling if Halfon has to be called up. Remember everything changes next year. Has he apologised yet for the last 14 years in office? No. And now he says the 7th May is so important but he said that about every election he has been involved in.
Yvonne
2026-05-02 14:11:24
Well judging by the illustrious Gary Roberts criteria, Reform must be terrified as they resorted to bring Nigel Farage here to distract from the fact they have no serious plans for Harlow other than stopping migrants crossing the Stort. Robert Halfon was a faithful servant of Harlow and has long supported the regeneration efforts of our Council.I saw him last weekend in the Town Centre and he was very welcomed by many residents. He continues to live in Harlow.
Gary Roberts
2026-05-02 15:22:17
Yvonne how well do you know Mr Halfon? In 2010 he told me his only task was to get a "new" hospital in Harlow and in 2024 when he left office no hospital and no sign of one. But he did say there could be one in 2034 just off Junction 7. Being rude doesn't get us a hospital in Harlow. Neither does being a faithful servant to the local Conservatives. Nor does being welcomed by a few residents: does it?
jarrett
2026-05-02 16:59:24
Nice to see Robert at Staple Tye today.
Gary Roberts
2026-05-02 17:39:16
Of course my error it was Junction 7 a.
Val
2026-05-02 19:55:23
Robert Halfon was an excellent MP and true champion for Harlow.
David Forman
2026-05-03 06:26:23
I forgot to say Robert Halfon is absolutely correct when he says: "Give Dan Swords and his team the chance to finish the job to build an even better Harlow."
Scott H
2026-05-04 06:28:47
“Climb the ladder of opportunity” the ex-MP says about Cllr Swords. Apprentice to council leader to Harlow’s self-styled messiah, all in 3 years?!?! That’s no ladder, that’s Tory patronage for you. Cllr Swords, lacking any real experience or formal qualifications for what he says only HE can see through, we’re already seeing the wheels come off with reports the bus terminus is a year behind. It won’t be the last. No level head approaches a project on a “let’s do everything all at once” basis, because it’s reckless. One part falters and the rest are affected like dominoes. Mr Halfon and his project, Cllr Swords, will yet cast a long shadow over Harlow unless new voices can enter the chamber bringing with them some accountability for a Tory administration that’s busy running wild, convinced of its own brilliance.
Laura
2026-05-04 19:03:24
Scott, if I were you, I would be more focused on your own disreputable Reform candidates instead of concerning yourself about Dan Swords who runs rings around your lot.
Adrienne Barlow
2026-06-26 21:33:38
What I would like to know is ...we talk alot about global warming etc.Whether there is any truth to it obviously depends on who is getting paid to comment on it and obviously who will make the most money. My actual comment is this...what effect on the environment has all the bombing over the last few years .In a civilised world,I would hope that human beings would have more respect for our precious world .Instead the powers that be seem to be obsessed with causing trouble and making money from the rebuilding of countries afterwards.
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