Liberal Democrats win the European Elections in North Hertfordshire

The Liberal Democrats have won the European Elections in North Hertfordshire

The party recorded 12,595 votes as it swept to victory, taking 31.5% of the vote share across the District.

The Liberal Democrats pushed The Brexit Party into second. It also recorded 5010 more votes than the Conservative and Labour parties put together, who finished fourth and fifth respectively.

The results in North Hertfordshire played a role in the election of two Liberal Democrat MEPs in the Eastern Region.

Barbara Gibson, who campaigned in Hitchin during the European Election campaign, and Lucy Nethsingha have both been elected to office.

The party's excellent performance in this campaign comes off the back of success in the May 2019 district council elections.

The party won five council seats on polling day earlier this month. This saw the Liberal Democrats enter a joint administration with the North Hertfordshire Labour Party - ending two decades of Conservative control in the process.

Key facts

Results for the 2019 EU elections.

Turnout reported at 41%.

• The Liberal Democrat vote share increased from 7.88% to 31.5% in this election; an increase of 23.63%

• 50.99% of voters in North Hertfordshire voted clearly to remain by supporting the Liberal Democrats, the Greens and Change UK.

• In contrast, No Deal Brexit parties received just 29.71% of the vote. This was less than the Liberal Democrats share alone.

George Osborn, Chair of the North Hertfordshire Liberal Democrats, said:

"We're delighted to have won the European elections in North Hertfordshire.

Our positive, passionate and unambiguous stop Brexit message has resonated with voters across the district - taking the party to a magnificent victory.

We will continue to campaign unashamedly to bring an end to Brexit. We want to both keep the considerable benefits of EU membership and turn our attention to solving the real problems facing local people across the district."

Cllr Sam Collins, Parliamentary Candidate for Hitchin and Harpenden, said:

"For some time now polls and the informal 'Brexit-o-meters' run by groups like North Herts 4 Europe have shown clearly that our area wants to remain in the EU and this is yet another confirmation of that.

It is clear that people are thoroughly fed up of the actions of both Labour and the Conservatives. Today and in the local elections, they have shown that they believe, quite rightly, that the Liberal Democrats are the real alternative in our area.

This is a big fat bollocks to Brexit, bollocks to tribal voting and bollocks to the two main parties. It is a clear sign that the people of North Hertfordshire, and the wider nation want to have their say on the mess that our country is in. That is why we are demanding a public vote on the final Brexit deal (or lack of one) with remain as an option."