Hertsmere

Hertsmere local government district covers a strip of green belt land just outside the Greater London boundary. At the west end of the district is Bushey, a suburb of Watford located on the West Coast Main Line. To the north-west is the large village of Radlett which grew around a station on the Midland Main Line in the nineteenth century; confusingly the two wards covering the village take their name from the parish of Aldenham. In 2000 Aldenham East ward was ranked as the least deprived ward in England. Further up the Midland Main Line are the twin towns of Elstree and Borehamwood, famous for their film studios. At the east end of the district is the town of Potters Bar on the East Coast Main Line.

Politically, Radlett (Aldenham), Potters Bar and the rural area in between are monolithically Conservative. Elstree is also safe for the Conservatives. Borehamwood has traditionally been good territory for Labour but the Tories have made major inroads over the last few years and now only one of Borehamwood's four wards is a safe bet for Labour. Bushey is the area of Lib Dem strength in the district, but in the last few years the Conservatives have started to make significant gains here.

2002:


2003:


2004:


The Conservative gains start, with two gains from Labour in Borehamwood and Bushey Park being gained from the Lib Dems.

2006:


Very much a repeat of 2004 with further Conservative gains in Borehamwood. Bushey St James also falls but the Lib Dems successfully defend Bushey Park. C 11 LD 2 Lab 1; shares of the vote C 58% LD 21% Lab 18%.

2007:


The opposition parties fared better this year. The Lib Dems held all their seats in Bushey (including a double vacancy in Bushey St James). Labour partially stemmed their losses, as Borehamwood Brookmeadow returned split C/Lab representation in a double-vacancy election. C 10 LD 3 Lab 2; shares C 60% Lab 20% LD 14%.

2008:


With not much left to gain in Borehamwood, the Conservatives gain all the Lib Dem seats in Bushey. Only Labour's defence of Borehamwood Cowley Hill prevented a whitewash. C 12 Lab 1; shares C 65% Lab 19% LD 10%.