Interview with Harlow Conservative leader Dan Swords after a victorious night
News / Fri 8th May 2026 at 04:47am
IT HAS been a historic night for the Conservative Party in Harlow.
No doubt there will be many around the country who will be asking “how on earth did they do that?”
We may write a lot more over the next few days.
But after all eleven wards had been declared, we asked Harlow Council leader, Dan Swords to reflect upon the night.
tonyp
2026-05-08 05:25:20
I thought Dan was going to cry at one point! congrats to him & his team!
Jackie
2026-05-08 05:34:13
Well done Harlow and congratulations Dan (now don't F it up).
Eileen Dover
2026-05-08 06:24:03
Congratulations Dan and the team. Harlow is on the up, any other political party would have sabotaged that.
KG
2026-05-08 06:24:45
massive congrats Dan and too the team keep up the excellent work your doing around our Town ..
Micko
2026-05-08 07:05:55
Now the Tories have put Reform in their place, can they finally grasp the nettle they were afraid to prior to the election, for fear of upsetting the flag sh...rs, and ensure the tatty, intimidating flags are removed from our town.
PSmithy
2026-05-08 07:32:49
Mick you going to post this under every article.... You not proud of your country what flags would you put up at say a jubilee celebration or St George's day ?
Christopher
2026-05-08 07:53:09
This is fantastic news, just what I was hoping for,it's what Harlow needs and what Dan and the Conservatives deserve after all the hard work done so far to improve our town and it can only get better. Harlow has seen who is right for our town and have voted appropriately and kept it local. Congratulations Dan. It's a great day.
Tom Compton
2026-05-08 07:55:37
Harlow voters have spoken. They have chosen Conservatives because the Conservatives have delivered locally for Harlow. Reform with their hollow words have failed in Harlow die to focussing on the national agenda. Labour have capitulated because residents remember how poor they were when in office. Conservatives have delivered and been rewarded. Well done Team Tory, you have bucked the national trend because you care for Harlow.
FedUpPensioner(Not So Today)
2026-05-08 08:25:48
Glad to see Harlow voters voted on local issues and the progress made by the Tory council in restoring pride back into the town. Labour were pushed in 3rd into all but 1 of the Wards. Where is Chris Vince comments this morning.?
David Forman
2026-05-08 08:32:33
A very deserved victory for Dan Swords and his team.
Tomsk
2026-05-08 08:56:05
I'm not a Tory supporter, but am relieved that they still control Harlow Council and stopped Reform. Anyone but Reform is a good thing. And the people of Harlow have systematically rejected the divisive policies of Reform locally. Dan Swords no longer has to fear Reform in Harlow, he needs to do the right thing. Our flag, a symbol of pride in this country, has been misused and abused by Reform supporters and those encouraged by Reform, as a symbol of hatred and division. The so-called "flag-men" are nothing but fascists who are imposing their will on the whole community. How can we have pride in our flag when a tatty, dirty and cheap version of it is hanging limply from lampposts across the town? Its time for them to be removed and banned from being raised in such an irreverent manner. Raise the flag yes, but in places like public or civic buildings on proper flag-poles so we can all, as a community, have pride in our national flag once again. No longer should it be allowed to be used as a tool of hatred and division in Harlow. Time to step up Dan Swords and show you not longer fear these people!
David Forman
2026-05-08 09:16:50
Yes Tomsk, my father was proud to follow the flag behind Field Marshal Montgomery in the deserts of Libya and Egypt to keep fascists off the streets of Britain. He was also proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with his South African and Indian comrades. He would be in rapture today if he were still alive.
Tomsk
2026-05-08 10:35:58
Exactly David Forman. I don't get that people can't see that. I am not offended by OUR flag. Its the people who are behind this "raise the flag" movement that offend. Ex members of far-right parties and groups like the BNP, the Homeland Party, Combat 18, the National Front. People who have clearly shown their racism in the past and continue to do so if you look at their social media. They, and their hatred and division, their racism, their intimidation (if you disagree with what they are doing). That's what offends me. Not the flag.
Mark
2026-05-08 10:45:45
I voted Tory, and love the flags. World Cup starts soon. So we need more please.
Steven snell
2026-05-08 10:49:30
Hopefully he joins reform now
Yvonne Knight
2026-05-08 10:53:30
Well done Dan and team. I've lived in Harlow for 52 years so have seen alot of changes good and bad. The town now after a long time is looking and feeling so much better! Keep up the good work. 👍
Harlow resident for many years
2026-05-08 10:54:25
Congratulations to Dan swords and his team,but could you please put back all the disabled parking bays that have been removed
Resi
2026-05-08 11:06:27
Congrats Dan & team! Keep going, think even bigger for Harlow, you can do it
Lifelong Harlow Resident
2026-05-08 14:01:40
Maybe the 'flag man' is too busy going to court for his various threats of violence to replace the flags! Time to stop being scared of the handful of racist thugs that are putting them up. Real Harlow people have made their view of right wing, populist, hatred driven politics clear. We care about Harlow and not supporting their hatred. Before the pathetic 'don't you love your country' crowd chip in; I do love my country and that's why our flag should be treated with respect and not allowed to be tattered and tied illegally to lamp posts to send a go away message to anyone not white
Dean
2026-05-08 14:59:23
I've never been more proud of Harlow. Well done Dan, cracking job so far, keep it up 👍
James
2026-05-08 15:00:43
Britain is an inclusive and tolerant place, and I am proud to say that I am from England whenever I visit abroad. The current state of our streets, however, is truly embarrassing. I'd be happy to see more flags if that's what people want, but do it properly, in a way that inspires pride, not shame.
Nigel Berrage
2026-05-08 15:45:53
I m just so glad the grifters from reform where run out of town
Kevin
2026-05-08 16:21:06
I have never had any confidence in any parties up to now, this is the first time I could not wait to vote, Dan and the team are putting so much pride back into Harlow I have nothing but praise. Other towns need to take a look at what they are achieving and follow suit. Fantastic result you should all be very proud, well done and congratulations to you all
Zoe
2026-05-08 16:58:19
:) Well done, Dan!
rasp
2026-05-08 17:23:10
Well done Dan, can we get some more flags put up now.
Jasper
2026-05-08 21:17:05
Well done to the Tories. Now there is no excuse to finish all these fancy schemes around town without blaming others for stalling or trying to scupper the plans. Finish them on time , there can be no excuses. We will be watching
Tom
2026-05-08 22:58:29
I voted for local Conservatives. I see the good works they’ve been doing having lived here for 2 years now. Big up Dan and your team.
Brian
2026-05-09 07:34:33
Massive congratulations to Dan and his team, you are doing so much for this Town. I am Harlow born and Bred 74 years. Keep up the Great work and maybe you can Pressure Reform to sort out all the Potholes as well.
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