2025 English local election
2025 Hertfordshire County Council election
Leader
Richard Roberts
Steve Jarvis
Nigel Bell
Party
Conservative
Liberal Democrats
Labour
Last election
46 seats, 43.3%
23 seats, 26.5%
7 seats, 21.2%
Current seats
43
22
6
Leader
Ben Crystall
N/A
N/A
Party
Green
Independent
Reform UK
Last election
1 seats, 7.5%
1 seat, 0.8%
0 seats, 0.2%
Current seats
1
5
0
The 2025 Hertfordshire County Council election is due to take place on 1 May 2025 to elect members to Hertfordshire County Council in Hertfordshire , England .[ 1]
Background
In the 2021 election , the Conservatives won 46 seats, giving them a majority and control of the council. The Liberal Democrats were the second biggest party with 23 seats, followed by Labour with 7 seats and the Greens with 1 seat.[ 2] The Hemel Hempstead South East seat was won by Jan Maddern, a former Conservative who ran as an independent .[ 3] [ 4] The council leader, Conservative councillor Richard Roberts of Kings Langley, was elected on 25 May 2021.[ 5]
Several by-elections took place between the 2021 and 2025 elections:
Liberal Democrat Labour Conservative
In July 2024, councillor Sara Bedford of Abbots Langley left the Liberal Democrats after a dispute with local party leadership and served the rest of her term as an independent.[ 14] In the 2024 general election , the Labour Party won seven of the Hertfordshire seats from the Conservatives (Hemel Hempstead , Hertford & Stortford , Hitchin , North East Hertfordshire , Stevenage , Watford and Welwyn Hatfield ). The Liberal Democrats won the new seat of Harpenden and Berkhamsted and retained St Albans while the Conservatives retained Broxbourne , Hertsmere and South West Hertfordshire . Overall, of the Hertfordshire seats, Labour won seven, the Conservatives won three and the Liberal Democrats won two.[ 15] That same month, councillor Ron Tindall of Hemel Hempstead St Paul's was suspended from the Liberal Democrats following allegations of misconduct , which he denied.[ 16] [ 17] An independent report released in October concluded that Tindall had "made various misogynistic remarks which were completely inappropriate and disrespectful to women" as well as "creat[ing] an uncomfortable and intimidating environment for the complainant to such an extent that they didn’t feel comfortable being left alone in a room with [him]".[ 18]
In October 2024, councillor James Bond of Hatfield North passed away following a long illness, leaving the seat vacant.[ 19] No by-election was called.[ 20] In December, councillor Michelle Vince of Borehamwood North resigned from the Labour Party after not being selected as the candidate for her ward in the upcoming election, serving the rest of her term as an independent.[ 21] In January 2025, councillor Sunny Thusu of Haldens had the whip removed after it was revealed that he had cheated on his medical school exams in 2023. He was subsequently expelled from the Conservative group on the council and sat the rest of his term as an independent.[ 22]
Previous council composition
Changes
December 2021: Paul Clark (Liberal Democrats) dies - by-election held March 2022[ 24]
March 2022: Keith Hoskins (Liberal Democrats) wins by-election[ 25]
November 2022: Judi Billing (Labour) dies - by-election held February 2023[ 26]
February 2023: Ian Albert (Labour) wins by-election[ 27]
October 2023: Annie Brewster (Conservative) resigns - by-election held December 2023[ 28]
December 2023: Allison Wren (Liberal Democrats) gains by-election from Conservatives[ 29]
July 2024: Sharon Taylor, Baroness Taylor of Stevenage (Labour) resigns - by-election held August 2024;[ 30] Sara Bedford (Liberal Democrats) leaves party to sit as an independent[ 31]
August 2024: Ellie Plater (Labour) wins by-election[ 32]
October 2024: James Bond (Conservative) dies - seat left vacant until 2025 election[ 33]
January 2025: Sunny Thusu (Conservative) suspended from party;[ 34] Michelle Vince (Labour) leaves party to sit as an independent[ 35]
March 2025: Ron Tindall (Liberal Democrats) suspended from party[ 36]
Results by division
Broxbourne
The Borough of Broxbourne shown within Hertfordshire
Dacorum
The Borough of Dacorum shown within Hertfordshire
East Hertfordshire
East Hertfordshire district shown within Hertfordshire
Hertsmere
The Borough of Hertsmere shown within Hertfordshire
North Hertfordshire
North Hertfordshire district shown within Hertfordshire
St Albans
St Albans city and district shown within Hertfordshire
Stevenage
The Borough of Stevenage shown within Hertfordshire
Three Rivers
Three Rivers district shown within Hertfordshire
Watford
The Borough of Watford shown within Hertfordshire
Welwyn Hatfield
The Borough of Welwyn Hatfield shown within Hertfordshire
See also
References
^ Price, Deborah (11 February 2025). "Herts county council elections going ahead as planned" . Welwyn Hatfield Times. Retrieved 21 February 2025 .
^ "County Council - Thursday, 6 May 2021" . Hertfordshire County Council . 7 May 2021. Retrieved 21 February 2025 .
^ Price, Deborah (10 May 2021). "Hertfordshire County Council election results 2021: Dacorum divisions" . Hemel Today. Retrieved 21 February 2025 .
^ "Well-known councillor to stand as Independent during Herts County Council elections" . Hemel Today. 10 April 2017. Retrieved 21 February 2025 .
^ Corr, Sinead (25 May 2021). "New leader of Herts County Council sets out four-year agenda" . Bishop's Stortford Independent. Retrieved 20 February 2025 .
^ "Death of Councillor Paul Clark" . North Herts Council. 9 December 2021. Retrieved 18 February 2025 .
^ "Hitchin South by-election - Thursday, 10 March 2022" . Hertfordshire County Council . 10 March 2022. Retrieved 18 February 2025 .
^ "Death of Councillor Judi Billing" . North Herts Council. 24 November 2022. Retrieved 18 February 2025 .
^ "Hitchin North by-election - Thursday, 9 February 2023" . Hertfordshire County Council . 9 February 2023. Retrieved 18 February 2025 .
^ "A farewell to Annie as councillor and former Mayor prepares to move on to fresh challenges" . St Albans Times. 20 October 2023. Retrieved 18 February 2025 .
^ "Harpenden Rural by-election - Thursday, 7 December 2023" . Hertfordshire County Council . 7 December 2023. Retrieved 18 February 2025 .
^ "Cllr Sharon Taylor OBE – House of Lords appointment" . Stevenage Borough Council . 14 October 2022. Retrieved 18 February 2025 .
^ "Bedwell by-election - Thursday, 29 August 2024" . Hertfordshire County Council . 29 August 2024. Retrieved 18 February 2025 .
^ Day, Christopher (31 January 2025). "Three Rivers councillor Sara Bedford resigns after nearly 30 years" . Watford Observer . Retrieved 19 February 2025 .
^ Issimdar, Mariam (7 July 2024). "Who are the MPs representing Hertfordshire?" . BBC News . Retrieved 18 February 2025 .
^ Lowson, James (31 July 2024). "Former Dacorum Borough Council leader suspended following misconduct allegations" . Hemel Today. Retrieved 28 February 2025 .
^ Roberts, Gabriel (5 August 2024). "Former Dacorum Council leader suspended over 'misconduct' " . Watford Observer . Retrieved 28 February 2025 .
^ Day, Christopher (1 October 2024). "Former Herts council leader 'sexually harassed' councillor, independent report concludes" . Essex Live. Retrieved 28 February 2025 .
^ Richards, Huw (30 October 2024). "Tributes flood in for Hertfordshire councillor James Bond" . Welwyn Hatfield Times. Retrieved 19 February 2025 .
^ Price, Deborah (21 January 2025). "No county council by-election yet called for Hatfield North seat" . Welwyn Hatfield Times. Retrieved 19 February 2025 .
^ a b Vince, Michelle (31 December 2024). "It is with sadness I have resigned as a member of The Labour Party" . Facebook . Retrieved 19 February 2025 .
^ Day, Christopher (10 January 2025). "Welwyn Hatfield councillor and NHS surgeon cheated on exams" . Welwyn Hatfield Times. Retrieved 19 February 2025 .
^ "Hertfordshire's County Councillors by Party" . Hertfordshire County Council . Retrieved 17 March 2025 .
^ Barrow, Georgia (8 December 2021). "North Herts deputy council leader Paul Clark passes away from COVID-19" . Royston Crow . Retrieved 17 March 2025 .
^ "Local Elections Archive Project — Hitchin South Division" . www.andrewteale.me.uk . Retrieved 17 March 2025 .
^ Louis, Nathan (24 November 2022). "Long-serving councillor and Labour leader dies aged 71" . Watford Observer .
^ "Local Elections Archive Project — Hitchin North Division" . www.andrewteale.me.uk . Retrieved 17 March 2025 .
^ "A farewell to Annie as councillor and former Mayor prepares to move on to fresh challenges" . St Albans Times . 20 October 2023. Retrieved 17 March 2025 .
^ "Local Elections Archive Project — Harpenden Rural Division" . www.andrewteale.me.uk . Retrieved 17 March 2025 .
^ Price, Deborah (18 July 2024). "Baroness Taylor steps down from county council role" . The Comet . Retrieved 17 March 2025 .
^ Day, Christopher (31 January 2025). "Councillor resigns after nearly 30 years amid ongoing row" . Watford Observer . Retrieved 17 March 2025 .
^ "Local Elections Archive Project — Bedwell Division" . www.andrewteale.me.uk . Retrieved 17 March 2025 .
^ Richards, Huw (30 October 2024). "Hertfordshire Councillor James Bond dies aged 83" . Welwyn Hatfield Times . Retrieved 17 March 2025 .
^ Day, Christopher (10 January 2025). "Hertfordshire councillor and NHS surgeon cheated on medical exams" . Welwyn Hatfield Times . Retrieved 17 March 2025 .
^ Boothroyd, David. "Broxtowing a different line" . Localcouncils.co.uk . Retrieved 17 March 2025 .
^ Day, Christopher (3 March 2025). "Ron Tindall suspended from county council Liberal Democrat group" . Watford Observer . Retrieved 17 March 2025 .
^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r "Candidates using a TUSC description in the May elections" (PDF) . Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition . 26 February 2025. Retrieved 13 March 2025 .
^ a b c d e f "Here are your local candidates for the Hertfordshire County Council election on Thursday 1 May" . Broxbourne Labour Party via Facebook . 2 March 2025. Retrieved 7 March 2025 .
^ a b c d e "County Council election Thursday 1st May" . Harpenden & Berkhamsted Conservatives. Retrieved 13 March 2025 .
^ Taylor, David (8 March 2025). "It was great to be back out on the doorstep this morning in Nash Mills with our Hertfordshire County Council candidate, Rebecca Mackenzie 4 Hemel South East, and two friends from Luton, Sarah Owen MP and Rachel Hopkins MP" . Facebook . Retrieved 16 March 2025 .
^ Maddern, Jan (8 March 2025). "ELECTION 1st May - Getting ready!" . Facebook . Retrieved 13 March 2025 .
^ a b c d Corr, Sinead (5 February 2025). "Father and son and two former Conservatives standing for Reform UK for Herts County Council seats in Bishop's Stortford and Sawbridgeworth" . Bishop's Stortford Independent. Retrieved 18 February 2025 .
^ a b c d Corr, Sinead (4 February 2025). "Labour confirms quartet to contest Hertfordshire County Council seats in Bishop's Stortford and Sawbridgeworth on May 1" . Bishop's Stortford Independent. Retrieved 18 February 2025 .
^ a b c d e f g h "2025 Hertfordshire County Council election candidates" . Hertford & Stortford Conservatives. Retrieved 18 February 2025 .
^ a b c d e f g h i j "Green Leader Carla Denyer joins local Green Party to launch their May Election Campaign with a rallying cry to oust the Conservatives" . East Herts Green Party. 26 January 2025. Retrieved 18 February 2025 .
^ a b c d e f "Labour Out in Force for Hertfordshire County Council Elections" . North East Hertfordshire Labour Party. 2 March 2025. Retrieved 7 March 2025 .
^ Jones, Jeff (13 March 2025). "Hertfordshire County Council Election Vote Conservative on 1st May" . Facebook . Retrieved 15 March 2025 .
^ "Nahum Clements has been selected as Labour's candidate for the Hertford All Saints County Division election on Thursday 1st May" . Hertford and Stortford Constituency Labour Party via Facebook . 25 February 2025. Retrieved 26 February 2025 .
^ "Rob Pinkham has been selected as Labour's candidate for the Hertford Rural County Division Election on Thursday 1st May" . Hertford and Stortford Constituency Labour Party via Facebook . 20 February 2025. Retrieved 26 February 2025 .
^ "Jack Risbridger for Hertford St Andrews has been selected to stand as Labour's Candidate for the Hertford St Andrews County Division Election on Thursday 1st May" . Hertford and Stortford Constituency Labour Party via Facebook . 13 February 2025. Retrieved 26 February 2025 .
^ "Jack Kidston has been selected to stand as Labour's Candidate for the Ware North County Division Election on Thursday 1st May" . Hertford and Stortford Constituency Labour Party via Facebook . 17 February 2025. Retrieved 26 February 2025 .
^ "Martin Smith has been selected as Labour's candidate for the Ware South County Division election on Thursday 1st May" . Hertford and Stortford Constituency Labour Party via Facebook . 24 February 2025. Retrieved 26 February 2025 .
^ "Alexander Bright is honoured to be standing as the Conservative county council candidate for Borehamwood North. His father, grandfather and great grandfather have all been councillors and he knows how important it is to give back to our towns and communities" . Hertsmere Conservatives via Facebook . 6 February 2025. Retrieved 19 February 2025 .
^ "We're thrilled to announce that Cllr Parveen Rani has been selected as the Labour Party candidate for Borehamwood North in this May's Hertfordshire County Council Elections!" . Labour for Hertsmere via Facebook . 11 January 2025. Retrieved 19 February 2025 .
^ Selkus, Darren [@DarrenSelkus] (6 March 2025). "Introducing Simon Rhodes your next County Councillor for Borehamwood North" (Tweet ). Retrieved 7 March 2025 – via Twitter .
^ "Lucy Selby is standing as the Conservative candidate for Borehamwood South because she cares deeply about our community" . Hertsmere Conservatives via Facebook . 31 January 2025. Retrieved 19 February 2025 .
^ Selkus, Darren [@DarrenSelkus] (5 March 2025). "We're excited to introduce the first of our fantastic candidates" (Tweet ). Retrieved 7 March 2025 – via Twitter .
^ "As the Conservative County Council candidate for Bushey North, David Carter will work hard standing up for what's best for our community" . Hertsmere Conservatives via Facebook . 7 February 2025. Retrieved 19 February 2025 .
^ Selkus, Darren [@DarrenSelkus] (7 March 2025). "Introducing 3/7 - Antony Michaelson, Entrepreneur & Business Leader, Bushey North" (Tweet ). Retrieved 7 March 2025 – via Twitter .
^ a b Selkus, Darren [@DarrenSelkus] (9 March 2025). "Meanwhile… on the front lines, Reform UK members are laser focused on one mission: getting our candidates elected" (Tweet ). Retrieved 12 March 2025 – via Twitter .
^ "Cllr Seamus Quilty is standing as the Conservative candidate for Bushey South because he cares deeply about our community" . Hertsmere Conservatives via Facebook . 9 February 2025. Retrieved 19 February 2025 .
^ Selkus, Darren [@DarrenSelkus] (15 March 2025). "Vote Craig for a better Potters Bar!" (Tweet ). Retrieved 15 March 2025 – via Twitter .
^ "Cllr John Graham has represented Potters Bar East over the past eight years on Hertfordshire County Council - and it's shown him how special our town truly is. He is committed to being a strong representative for Potters Bar, ensuring it remains a safe, thriving, and welcoming place to live" . Hertsmere Conservatives via Facebook . 4 February 2025. Retrieved 19 February 2025 .
^ "In Potters Bar East, we're proud to announce Cllr Tushar Kumar as our Labour candidate! Tushar is a dedicated councillor in Hertsmere and currently serves as the escort to the Deputy Mayor, Cllr Parveen Rani, for 2024/25. His experience and commitment to our community make him the perfect choice to represent Potters Bar East" . Labour for Hertsmere via Facebook . 10 January 2025. Retrieved 19 February 2025 .
^ "Cllr Morris Bright MBE has served as a Hertfordshire County councillor for 15 years and with your support he looks forward to doing so for another four years" . Hertsmere Conservatives via Facebook . 29 January 2025. Retrieved 19 February 2025 .
^ "This May, we will be heading to the polls and we are thrilled to announce that Sree Radhika Settipalli will be our Labour candidate for Potters Bar West and Shenley!" . Labour for Hertsmere via Facebook . 26 January 2025. Retrieved 19 February 2025 .
^ "Cllr Caroline Clapper has represented Watling for nearly two decades, and she says it's been the honour of her life" . Hertsmere Conservatives via Facebook . 27 January 2025. Retrieved 19 February 2025 .
^ a b c d e f g h i Elder-Vass, Dave (20 February 2025). "North Herts Candidates for May 2025 County Council elections" . North Herts & Stevenage Green Party. Retrieved 21 February 2025 .
^ "Fantastic Saturday morning with the large Hitchin Labour team on the Poets Estate, out supporting Cllr Ian Albert for re-election in Hitchin North in May's County Council elections" . Hitchin Labour Party via Facebook . 18 January 2025. Retrieved 28 February 2025 .
^ Strathern, Alistair (18 February 2025). "Great to get out in Lower Stondon recently with Hitchin Rural county council candidate Nigel Mason to pick up on your priorities and issues" . Facebook . Retrieved 28 February 2025 .
^ Denselow, James (9 February 2025). "Meet the candidates for the Hitchin South election" . Hitchin Nub News. Retrieved 28 February 2025 .
^ "Ralph Muncer - A strong local voice for Knebworth & Codicote Division" . Stevenage Conservatives. 9 February 2025. Retrieved 19 February 2025 .
^ a b c d e f g h i j "Candidates for local elections 2025" . St Albans Green Party. Retrieved 9 March 2025 .
^ St Albans Constituency Labour Party [@stalbanslabourparty] (19 January 2025). "Great team out today in highfield park, supporting Mike for the London Colney County Ward in May. Out all year, not just at election time" . Retrieved 19 February 2025 – via Instagram .
^ "David Denny-Stubbs - Standing up for Bedwell" . Stevenage Conservatives. 21 January 2025. Retrieved 19 February 2025 .
^ "Ellie Plater – Re-standing as your Labour Candidate for the Bedwell County Division Elections" . Stevenage Constituency Labour Party. 30 January 2025. Retrieved 19 February 2025 .
^ "Coleen De Freitas – Your Labour Candidate for the Broadwater County Division Elections" . Stevenage Constituency Labour Party. 28 January 2025. Retrieved 19 February 2025 .
^ "Cllr Adam Mitchell - The local choice for Broadwater Division" . Stevenage Conservatives. 19 January 2025. Retrieved 19 February 2025 .
^ "Forhad Chowdhury – Your Labour Candidate for the Chells County Division Elections" . Stevenage Constituency Labour Party. 25 February 2025. Retrieved 28 February 2025 .
^ "Margaret Notley - A strong candidate for Chells Manor Division" . Stevenage Conservatives. 21 January 2025. Retrieved 19 February 2025 .
^ "Richard Henry – Your Labour Candidate for the Old Stevenage County Division Elections" . Stevenage Constituency Labour Party. 30 January 2025. Retrieved 19 February 2025 .
^ "Maria Wheeler - A strong local voice for Old Stevenage" . Stevenage Conservatives. 20 January 2025. Retrieved 19 February 2025 .
^ "Victoria Facey - A strong local voice for Shephall" . Stevenage Conservatives. 19 January 2025. Retrieved 19 February 2025 .
^ "Jackie Hollywell – Your Labour Candidate for the Shephall County Division Elections" . Stevenage Constituency Labour Party. 30 January 2025. Retrieved 19 February 2025 .
^ "Cllr Phil Bibby - The local choice for St Nicholas Division" . Stevenage Conservatives. 8 January 2025. Retrieved 19 February 2025 .
^ "Claire Parris – Your Labour Candidate for the St Nicholas County Division Elections" . Stevenage Constituency Labour Party. 30 January 2025. Retrieved 19 February 2025 .
^ "Let's Get More Greens Elected in Croxley Green!" . Three Rivers Green Party via ActionNetwork. Retrieved 1 March 2025 .
^ Khan, Asif [@asif.khan76] (8 February 2025). "Lovely response on the doorstep this morning in North Watford" . Retrieved 15 March 2025 – via Instagram .
^ McGuinness, Fintan (10 March 2025). "Watford MP Matt Turmaine resigns borough council seat" . Watford Observer . Retrieved 15 March 2025 .
^ "Handside & Peartree division" . Who Can I Vote For?. Retrieved 15 March 2025 .
^ Parker, Nigel Richard (5 February 2025). "Hello a brief introduction. I'm your local candidate for Handside and Peartree ward standing for Reform U.K. Together we can make a better Britain and a bettter Garden city" . Facebook . Retrieved 15 March 2025 .
^ Lewin, Andrew [@andrewlewinmp] (17 February 2025). "Delighted to be introducing Vaishali Shah as our Labour candidate for Hatfield East for the county council elections" . Retrieved 12 March 2025 – via Instagram .
^ "Canvassing in Hatfield North" . Labour Events. 1 March 2025. Retrieved 12 March 2025 .