Candidate information for Hitchin Highbury by-election
The four candidates are running for the vacant seat in North Hertfordshire
Last updated 10th Mar 2022
Residents in Hitchin Highbury are invited to the polls today (Thursday 10 March) to elect a new district and county councillor.
It follows the death of 65-year-old Paul Clark in December last year, who represented the Liberal Democrats for 26 years.
Last year, Mr Clark held onto the seat with 48 per cent of the vote, with the Conservatives second and Labour in third.
The candidates who are standing for the vacant seat in North Hertfordshire have outlined their priorities ahead of the by-election.
North Herts Council currently has 23 Conservative, 15 Labour and Co-operative, and 11 Liberal Democrat councillors, with a joint Labour and Liberal Democrat administration.
The result of the poll will not affect the running of the council, but could narrow the margin ahead of a third of councillors being elected in May.
Four candidates will contest the vacant seat:
Raj Bkakar - Liberal Democrats
The Liberal Democrats said: “Raj Bhakar is a Human Resources professional who works for a specialist NHS Trust. She has also worked for the Police and is dedicated to serving the community. Raj wants to continue the great work that Paul Clark did for Hitchin as a Highbury Councillor.
"She has campaigned for better management of roads and pavements as well as the prevention of unnecessary development and is keen to protect green spaces, as well as promote and implement sustainability initiatives in Hitchin.”
Deolinda Eltringham - The Green Party
Deolina Eltringham has lived in Hitchin since 1986 and Highbury for over 20 years. She has a chemistry degree and has held a long term interest in the science of climate change.
She said: “I have been active locally at parish, ecumenical, and inter-faith levels. I am passionate about environmental issues, and I believe in living the changes I wish to see in my community and the world.
“As an active member of the parish of Our Lady Immaculate and St Andrew all these years, and since 2013, I have been the Hitchin Terracycle coordinator for some recyclable waste streams, raising thousands of pounds for four main charities. Served as a PTA mum, as member of my parish council, and was instrumental in the installing of solar panels, wall cavity insulation, LED lighting, and other projects.
"I was active in Churches Together in Hitchin, and now am representative in the North Herts Inter Faith Forum, where lately have been working on starting a new woodland in Little Hadham.
Samuel Forsyth – Conservatives
The Conservative candidate said: “I am Sam Forsyth and I have recently moved into Hitchin and I am keen to support local residents to get the best for Hitchin. I want to see the town thriving as we recover from the pandemic with a busy market. The council has some big challenges ahead and the number one priority for me has to be getting the local plan approved so that developers cannot submit hostile applications on the green spaces that surround Hitchin. I am keen to promote the green agenda and want to see more recycling and less food waste.
“I want to engage with residents and their concerns so I pledge that I will attend local surgeries and be seen active around the town. I have already become a trustee at the British School Museum and would like to see more done to promote the town as a tourist destination bringing in visitors to our local hotels, restaurants and supporting our local businesses.
“Hitchin is a great place to live and it would be a privilege to be elected and join Cllr Claire Strong the leader of the Conservatives at North Herts District Council. Claire is also standing in the County Council by election for Hitchin South – what a great team we will make.”
Leigh Smith – Christian Peoples Alliance
A statement on their website said: “Since arriving in Herts in 2012 Leigh has immersed herself in the community serving as a youth worker in a youth club and helping with drug education in schools. She has been a committed Street Angel supporting the welfare of the community late at night. She is also a dedicated member of the Domestic Violence Champions and a helpline volunteer.
“Before and during Covid 19 her church where she Co-Pastors with her husband have been supporting those struggling in the local community with food parcels and other needs. She sits on the Churches Together in Hitchin Executive board and has served as a Co-opted Governor at Oughton Primary school.
"She currently works in learning support and runs a job club to support those looking for work. She is passionate about people and giving them a voice concerning the issues that are close to their hearts.”
There is no candidate for the Labour Party.
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