Greens clean sweep in Hertford and Ware

Green party candidates have won all four county council divisions in Hertford and Ware following yesterday's elections.

Green councillor Ben Crystall comfortably retained his All Saints division with a large majority, whilst Rachel Carter won the St.Andrews division, previously represented by Conservative councillor Bob Deering.

In Ware, Green candidate Kirsty Taylor-Moran won by 69 votes in the North division, with Reform's Nigel Adams coming second. Ware South was won by Steven Watson, with Reform's Joanne Besley coming second.

Hertford Rural was comfortably retained by Conservative Ken Crofton.

At county level, the Liberal Democrats are now the largest party with 31 councillors. The Conservatives are in second place with 22, having previously been the largest party for half a century. Reform are in third place with 14 councillors.

The full results are:

• Liberal Democrats: 31 councillors
• Conservative: 22 councillors
• Reform: 14 councillors
• Labour: 5 councillors
• Green: 5 councillors
• Independent: 1 councillor

Whilst the Liberal Democrats are now the largest party, they do not have a majority, leaving the council in No Overall Control.

40 seats are needed for a majority.

The Liberal Democrats could form a two-party coalition with the Conservatives or Reform. Or a three party coalition with the Greens and Labour.

Hertford All Saints Result

Thomas Clements (Labour) 247
Ben Crystall (Green) 1870 (elected)
Sean Howlett (Conservative) 725
Graham McAndrew (Reform) 749
Andrew Porrer LibDem) 173

Hertford St Andrew Result

Rachel Carter (Green) 1194 (elected)
Sean Figg (Trade Unionist & Socialist Coalition) 25
Ryan Henson (Conservative) 1135
Geoffrey Madge (LibDem) 204
Jack Risbrudger (Labour) 673
David West (Reform) 834