OVER the past few weeks, we wrote eleven ward by ward pieces. In the end, we got seven right and four wrong.

For the record we got: Latton Bush and Stewards, Little Parndon, Mark Hall and Passmores wrong.

The national polls had Reform winning all eleven wards. We believed they hadn’t reckoned for the Dan Swords Factor.

Then again, the pollsters didn’t run a newspaper that saw three hundred comments in five hours after the Marks and Spencer announcement was made, praising Dan Swords and the Conservatives. Not just praising but committing their votes to the Conservatives.

They hadn’t published the announcements on David Lloyd, Ikea, The Christmas market, the Town Show, the regeneration of the town centre to name just a few.

They hadn’t spoken to life-long socialists who said that, on this occasion, they would give Dan Swords their vote.

The actual marketing was also outstanding. It was branding but it was why back in 2018, Robert Halfon took on as an apprentice the somewhat uncertain young man from near Woking.

Your Harlow’s editor is the only journalist sitting on the press benches at council, week in week out, seeing Dan Swords lead the council with a lot of political astuteness for a 25-year-old man.

We suspect that one Christmas, Dan got the four volume biography of US President Lyndon B Johnson by Robert Caro. We suspect he knows it off by heart.

Yes, he has been, at times, ruthless in getting to where he is. And yes, he must be aware that success is a big extended family and failure is a lonely orphan.

But what Dan and his team delivered on Thursday night was historic and remarkable.

But the scrutiny will continue. In many ways he has turned himself into a directly elected mayor. In many ways, and in our opinion, his team is a cricket team with an awful long tail.

There is also the question of the next set of elections in less than a years time. A lot of people are going to say “What elections?” This will be when Harlow District Council is dissolved and a new council merging Uttlesford, Epping and Harlow together. We can’t begin to explain the possible political complexities there. Give us a few weeks.

That council will come into being on April 1st, 2028. But who knows whether those elections and this local government reorganisation will take place? A half an hour is a long time in politics at the moment….

Going back to predictions, time and time again, we thought about the Dan Swords Factor. When we saw a busy polling station at the Baptist Hall in Potter Street at lunchtime followed by queues at stations such as Newhall Primary and many others then we suspected something seismic was happening.

But we will continue to scrutinise the council’s work and try to make sure we do get the Harlow we all want.

Reform UK

As for the others? Reform UK didn’t do a lot wrong. As a group they were first time callers and so probably learned a lot. There were probably a lot worse campaigns that ended up winning seats and councils.

They managed to get a full slate of candidates and seemed enthused. They will no doubt be hurting and will be not doubt asked why they failed and the Conservatives trounced them.

They may have to keep the faith and fight hard to get people to stand again.

We would have to question their decision to play the man and attack Dan Swords so much. But from Get Starmer Out to derisory comments about Marks and Spencer and Zara, they were simply beaten by the better man.

They described Dan Sword’s campaign as “Project Fear” There may be others who described the Harlow Reform UK campaign of “Here first and foremost for long term Harlow residents”; “Happy Mothers Day to all British mums” as……

However, there were 5,408 people in Harlow who voted Reform. Everyone may want to reflect on why that was and address their concerns. Don’t just ignore, vilify, demonise and dismiss. Address.

Labour

For Labour, down to ten councillors, it was a chastening night. They lost five councillors and it is a shame to see councillors such as Jake Shepherd lose.

In some ways, it could have been a lot worse for Labour. In many ways, they have been here before. 2021 was a dreadful night. The national picture hasn’t helped and wont help for quite a while.

What they are now is a very good scrutiny committee of ten. What they may in the end become is a a pressure group, sitting with the Greens and Harlow Residents Alliance in the gallery.

They need to have a long hard look at themselves and as we said, harness the enthusiasm of younger members, not come across that it is a problem.

The Greens

You have to admire the enthusiasm and dedication of The Greens. Whether it is Julie Taylor’s work with the garages, Jennifer Steadman and the Greyhounds or Julie Bull’s all round commitment to the cause, they are a vital part of democratic world.

They may have to come to terms with only getting 200 to 300 votes. If they can live with that, then we hope they will stay.

Yes, they should attract younger people but they probably wont.

Others

We may have not covered the Lib Dems, TUSC and Gary Roberts but we appreciate them standing.

In fact, we have to admire all those stand up and are ready to be counted.

It takes a lot of commitment to be a councillor. It isn’t a job, it is a role where you are the link between the council officers, those paid to run our council and the public.

What we now have now is a great opportunity to build a greater sense of unity and cohesion in Harlow. To build a greater sense of citizenship and duty to our town. To make every single person feel part of this town and proud of being here.