Hertsmere Labour’s Newmark confirms ‘progress’ to ‘deliver partnership administration’

Hertsmere Labour Group leader Jeremy Newmark has told Jewish News he is “working hard to deliver a partnership administration” for the borough after last week’s local election results saw the Tories lose control of the council.

Speaking on Wednesday, former Jewish Leadership Council chief executive Newmark said his party had made “encouraging progress over the past few days” at securing control of the council in what is expected to be a coalition agreement with the local Liberal Democrats.

Jewish News understands all potential coalition deals need approval from party chiefs. Labour’s national executive committee is currently faced with the task of giving the green light to several possible coalitions following last week’s elections.

Meanwhile Conservative councillor Morris Bright, leader of the council for 13 years, told Jewish News “to the best of my knowledge Labour and the Liberal Democrats are forming a coalition to run Hertsmere.”

In a statement following last week’s local election results, in which the Tories lost their majority on Hertsmere council, he added:” Myself and other Conservative colleagues did  approach the Lib Dems to discuss us working together but they have chosen to go in a different direction.”

The local election results confirmed the Tories had lost 13 seats in the borough, with its large Jewish community, leaving no single party in control.Results showed the Tories won 16 seats, Labour 14, and the Lib Dems, nine.

Asked for his thoughts the prospect of Newmark becoming leader, Bright added:”I make no comment about the prospect of Jeremy Newmark becoming the Leader of Hertsmere as whatever I say could be interpreted as churlish.

“Labour made many commitments in their local elections manifesto. It will be interesting to see how many can actually be achieved.”