Jeremy Newmark: Jewish voters in Hertsmere have come back to Labour
The Hertsmere Labour Group leader said the Tory loss of the council, into no overall control, was a 'huge vote of confidence in Keir Starmer's success in forging a new relationship with the Jewish community'
Hertsmere Labour Group leader Jeremy Newmark has described the impressive performance of his party in the borough at the local elections is a “huge vote of confidence in Keir Starmer’s success in forging a new relationship with the Jewish community.”
Speaking to Jewish News after the Tories lost control of the council and Labour doubled their councillor count in Hertsmere to 14, Newmark added he would be “working hard over the next few days to build an administration that reflects the political plurality of this area.”
It is widely expected that the Labour and Liberal Democrat Groups will announce a coalition giving them control of the council over the defeated Conservatives, who have held power in the borough since 1999.
Former Jewish Leadership Council chief exec Newmark said:”On the back of last year’s results in Barnet this is another huge vote of confidence in Keir Starmer’s success in forging a new relationship between Labour and the Jewish community.
“Hertsmere contains some of the most densely Jewish populated areas in the country.
“In those parts of the borough, not only have Jewish Labour supporters come back to the party, but we have gained many new Jewish supporters as well.”
Asked about the possibility of entering into a coalition with the Lib Dems, with Newmark becoming the likely leader of the council, he added:”We will be working hard over the next few days to build an administration that reflects the political plurality of this area and the central planks of our manifesto, which set out an aspirational green new deal for Hertsmere.”
The Lib Dems also celebrated considerable success in Hertsmere as Thursday’s election results were announced trebling their share of council seats to nine.
Jewish News spoke to Labour activists in Hertsmere who were today heaping praise on Newmark’s “dedication and hard-work” in transforming the fortunes of the party locally.
Newmark was photographed addressing Labour’s victorious councillors at 5.15 am this morning.
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