Ayfer Orhan & Hemel Hempstead Labour Party

European Elections

For details of the Eastern Region elections please click here

Glenis Willmott MEP, and Labour's Leader in the European Parliament said:

"Labour MEPs have led the way forward for the past nine years by voluntarily having their accounts audited by an independent accountant and published online. We have all now taken the decision to voluntarily publish a breakdown of expenditure received under the European Parliament office allowance and all receipts pertaining to this expenditure going forward.

"Labour MEPs are proud to be fighting for hard working people at local, national and international level, in an open and transparent way. We hope that the other political parties will eventually follow our lead on this."

For more details of Labour's actions in respect of MEP expenses click here

Thinking of voting for the BNP - click here to see why you should not

County Council Elections

Ray Jones - Berkhamsted           

I have been a longtime resident of Dacorum. I am currently employed as Head of Communications with a professional membership body. I am an active member of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (MCIPR), and a member of the CIPR’s Government Affairs Group. I have been a school governor at Swing Gate First School in Berkhamsted.

I have consistently had a strong interest in education firmly believing it is the key to achieving the type of equal and fair society that I want to live in. A society where there is visible social responsibility, equal opportunities for all, concern for others - and both their views and beliefs - and with a natural respect for each other. That is why I am campaigning for Labour’s plans for schools and children's centres to have the money to develop their work with parents/carers and to promote high aspirations in parents, children and teachers.

Tony Shaw - Tring

I have lived in Dacorum for over thirty years. Until I retired I worked for the TUC in the International Department. I spent many years working for workers’ rights in Brussels. I am currently the Chair of the Hemel Hempstead Co-Operative Party.

As a co-operator I am delighted that Labour’s plans to beat the credit crunch include supporting local initiatives to set up credit unions, co-operatives and social enterprises. Additional support to those voluntary agencies experiencing the most pressure on their services, such as Citizens Advice Bureaux and Relate is needed.

The County Council’s Money Advice Unit has to be expanded to meet the needs of the community. We need to secure the maximum funding from European and national agencies, match funding where required. We need to invest in our future through encouraging more apprenticeships and ensure that there is properly funded and accessible training.

Ellen Robson - Hemel Hempstead Town         

I have lived in Hemel for 36 years, worked at the college for 25 years. I am passionate about services not been taken from Hemel and more near to my heart having a further education college based in Hemel - new build.

I know from my work at the college how important it is for our children to have a good education. Labour will make more funding for schools available throughout the County to ensure early support for those children and young people most in danger of underachieving, especially helping those with special educational needs. Labour will ensure investment in support of the government’s Building Schools for the Future programme which will rebuild or refurbish all our secondary schools and narrow the achievement gap between the areas that do best in Hertfordshire and those that do not do so well. We must promote high aspirations in parents, children and teachers.

Bernard Gronert - Hemel Hemsptead East         

I have lived in Bennetts End for over fifty years, since I was eight years old. I worked for John Dickenson’s where I was a supervisor. I have been a local Borough Councillor and school governor.

I am very concerned about the state of our roads. Whenever I leave Hertfordshire I notice immediately how much better other Counties’ roads are maintained compared to our local roads. Labour will ensure that highways maintenance is fast, efficient and long term. Labour believes it’s better to prevent potholes but when they do occur they must be repaired quickly, durably and efficiently. Safety must be our number one concern.

I am proud to have set up neighbourhood watch schemes which I believe have a major part to play in preventing crime. I have helped the local police in working with children and was awarded a certificate for community safety.

Jean Langdon - Kings Langley     

I have lived in Hemel Hempstead for over fifty years and I want to see a return to the idealism and the sense of community when the new town was established. I worked for much of the time as a caterer and still keep my hand in. I’ve recently started to make pots again and will be exhibiting around the country.

In our rural communities I want to see robust contracting arrangements for home care providers to avoid the chaos and distress caused by last year’s changes. In the longer term I hope we will be able to bring the service directly into County Council control. I will campaign to bring down the waiting times for access to services. Labour will ensure that arrangements for bringing people back from hospital to the community are not delayed by lack of adequate resources.

Julia Coleman - Bridgewater     

I have lived in Hemel Hempstead for nearly thirty years. I was a full time trade union official for Unison working for most of the time in London. I was a Borough Councillor for eight years. During my time as Leader of the Council I am most proud of the Dacorum Card which provided much needed discounts to our more needy citizens and in many cases provided an incentive to use local shops and businesses.

I am standing in Bridgewater because there has to be a strong anti-fascist campaign in the one part of Dacorum which has the shame of a BNP Councillor on Markyate Parish Council. Racism and bigotry have no part in our politics. I believe that the best way to combat these evils is to celebrate Britain as a diverse country, a county of many talents which united will beat the economic recession.

Anne Fisher - Hemel Hempstead North East     

I have lived in Washington Avenue in Grovehill since 1979 and was the local Labour Borough Councillor for 16 years. I trained as a social worker and know the pressures which can affect all of us from time to time. I have been a Governor for Hammond School for over 20 years and I am currently the Chair of Grovehill Neighbourhood Association. I am also on the management committee of the Grovehill Youth Club. I believe in serving the community by whatever way I can.

I am delighted at the opening of the　World Shapers Children’s Centre in 　Woodhall Farm 　covering both Woodhall Farm and Grovehill. 　This new initiative funded by the Labour Government provides support for children and their parents during the early stages of growing up. The first years are vitally important to our children’s development and I encourage mums and dads with their children to make use of the Centre.

Ian Laidlaw-Dickson - Hemel Hempstead North West     

I have lived in Dacorum for almost 50 years and have been a County Councillor for Hemel Hempstead since 1993 and a member of the Police Authority from 1995. I want to continue to represent the concerns of the residents of North West Hemel Hempstead and in particular work to improve facilities for young people and to reduce the fear of crime for everyone.

For many residents in Chaulden, Warners End and Gadebridge their number one concern is the state of the roads. Labour will ensure that highways maintenance is fast, efficient and long term. Labour believes it’s better to prevent potholes but when they do occur they must be repaired quickly, durably and efficiently. For others it’s about what we can do for our young people. I will campaign for proper youth provision and free transport for young people especially on Friday and Saturday evenings where there’s the greatest need and the least provision.　

Gary Cook - Hemel Hempstead South East     

I have lived in Hemel Hempstead for 28 years. I’ve been the County Councillor for Hemel Hempstead South East since 2001 and was a local Borough Councillor for 14 years. Leisure facilities for　 young people need to be available when they are wanted, particularly on Friday nights and at the weekend.　 　

I know personally how 　the credit crunch is affecting　Hemel Hempstead　and the County Council needs to rise to the challenge of　 creating employment and supporting working people.　 I will ensure that honest financial advice is given both to small firms and to Hertfordshire residents by the County Council.　

I believe that the County Council should provide additional support to those voluntary agencies experiencing the most pressure on their services, such as Citizens Advice Bureaux and Relate. Its own Money Advice Unit should be expanded to meet the needs of the community.

Maureen Flint - Hemel Hempstead St Pauls     

I have lived in Hemel Hempstead since 1973. I am married with three grown-up children and one grandson. I was a Borough Councillor for sixteen years and enjoyed　 being a　local councillor. I like to get involved in communities and see the need to　provide　 facilities for young and old. I am heavily involved in setting up Hemel’s first community radio station.

We need to provide proper youth provision and free transport for young people.　 Labour will expand the services to young people, on Friday and Saturday evenings where there’s the greatest need and the least provision.　 Labour will　 be looking at ways to provide free transport for our young people.

　I know the credit crunch is affecting　Hemel Hempstead　and the County Council needs to rise to the challenge of　 creating employment and supporting working people.　 I will campaign for the County Council to provide apprenticeships and to　encourage other organisations to do the same.