Local News 
Local Elections are Vital for Local Democracy [April 25th 2008]
Letter to the Local Press
I am writing to show my support for the Labour candidates in Borehamwood, and across Hertsmere, at next week's Local Elections.
How people vote next week will determine whether or not Borehamwood continues to suffer at the hands of the Conservatives, who have run Hertsmere Borough Council for nine years, or whether the Labour Group can continue to fight for better services for Borehamwood residents.
Regular readers of this newspaper, and its online version, will know the impact that Ann Harrison, Ian Feeney and the rest of the Labour Group have had over the past year. Every progressive motion or initiative that has been approved by the Council has been proposed by the Labour Group, whether it has been committing our Council to promote a reduction in the use of plastic bags; pushing for the Community Toilet Scheme; pressing our Tory County Council to improve our roads and pavements; or the huge effort made by Cllr Ernie Butler to help to secure funding for Brookside Boys' Club.
All this, and more, has been achieved by a Labour Group in the face of a Tory majority on the Borough Council that provides nothing for the people of Borehamwood except inaction and inefficiency.
When you consider the record of the Tories in Hertsmere - from the ABC Waste and Recycling Scheme, to the state of the roads, to the failure to provide facilities for our young people - it is clear that only Labour Councillors can provide improved services for everyone in Borehamwood.
I can appreciate that people may choose to vote to give a bloody nose to Gordon Brown or David Cameron - but regardless of what happens in Hertsmere, May 2nd will not change the national Government or Opposition. However, the face of local decision making could be changed significantly. Every vote counts and will determine how your local services are looked after for the next two years.
As your Labour Candidate for Parliament, I am happy to discuss Labour's record in Government at any time, with anyone. But there will be a time and a place for voting on national issues. On 1st May it is our local, Council controlled services at stake. By voting for Labour candidates in your area, you can make a change for a better Borehamwood.
Sam Russell
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