09 Dec 2025
The Party(gate) is over, the Blue Wall has been shattered into brick dust, and locally even the most contentious of policies fail to prevent the ongoing Liberal Democrat dominance of politics at all levels.
So what next for the remnants of St Albans Conservatives? Are they doomed to disappear beneath a wave of support for Reform, or is there a lifejacket waiting to be thrown?
We assembled a cohort of key Tories from within the district to determine their plans for the future, and whether they see any signs of a Conservative renaissance in the months or years to come.
They include current leader of SADC’s Tory group, Cllr Matt Cowley, his predecessor Mary Maynard, chair of the St Albans Conservative Association and former Mayor Frances Leonard, ex-Tory councillor Aaron Jacob, and the Parliamentary candidates for the party in St Albans and Harpenden at the last General Election, James Spencer and Nigel Gardner.
Obviously they come not to bury the Conservatives, but to praise them, however their honest perspectives on the prospects of the party both locally and nationally cast a fascinating light on the state of politics in St Albans, and the determination of many of them to see the Tories rise phoenix-like from the ashes of defeat.
It was in May 2019 that control of SADC slipped out of the grasp of the Conservative group, with eight councillors losing their seats, including then-leader Alec Campbell. The situation has not improved since, with the Lib Dems securing an even more devastating victory in 2022, leaving just a handful of Tory councillors holding on, a situation which perpetuates through to today.
So why stick with the party now, when things appear bleaker than at any point since the early days of Tony Blair’s Government, and how would they encourage other people to pledge their support?
Cllr Matt Cowley said he remained a Conservative because he believes conservative values are the best way to deliver for our communities – with a decent job, a home of your own, and a family you can afford to raise, all backed by a state that does the things only the state can do well.
“Conservatism at its heart is about creating the circumstances where people can have the right opportunities to achieve their full potential and not punishing them for being successful in doing so.
“Unfortunately, in recent years Conservatives in Westminster and – if we are honest with ourselves – locally in Hertfordshire too have too often pursued short term popularity over the kind of pragmatic common sense policy-making that our party should be characterised by.
“We need to restore that kind of vision and record of delivery if people locally are to trust us again.”
James Spencer agreed: “I believe in a small state, low tax, pro-business, and an individual and family driven society. I believe that increasing the size and reach of the Government should never be our default setting when faced with a particular challenge.
“I believe in a measured immigration system, which welcomes the brightest and the best from all over the world at a modest rate and deports those who should not be here or who have arrived illegally. I’m proud of our flag, our culture, and our history.
“These are all Conservative values – no other party is offering this to the electorate.”
Aaron Jacob, who was a councillor for St Stephen ward, added his own sentiments: “I really do think that most people want very similar things: to do well for themselves and their family, and for their community to be a good place to live in. I believe that the Conservative party, one that stands for aspiration, personal responsibility, love of family, pride in community – is the only party that stands for these principles.
“Nationally, if you believe in a smaller state, if you want to keep more of your own money, if you believe in hard work and reaping its rewards, then we are the party for you.
“Locally, if you believe in the value of our high street and independent businesses, if you want to protect our green spaces from overdevelopment, if you want to improve our public realm, then do support us.”
Former Parliamentary candidate for the Harpenden seat, Nigel Gardner, said he believed common sense local conservatism was the middle way: “‘Neither chaotic Keir Starmer – not knowing which tax he will put up each week. Nor knee jerk populism – that offers no solutions in our wonderful corner of Hertfordshire.
“For me, the Conservative way is to allow people to get on with their lives with minimum interference. Low and simple taxes, sound money, efficient and accountable public services. And above all – courtesy and respect for others and their points of view.”
Perhaps surprisingly not toeing the party line is former SADC Conservative group leader Mary Maynard, who offered a perspective slightly removed from her peers.
“I believe in personal freedom and individual autonomy; equality of opportunity; a small, efficient state that delivers great services (like a better managed NHS) but stops putting barriers in the way of progress (aka the current planning system); a strong and thriving economy, where business is encouraged not hindered and that delivers for everyone; a Britain first approach, with strong borders, managed migration and zero tolerance for sectarianism, crime or disruption.
“Above all, I believe our children are our future and we need to invest in all of them. The scandal of almost a million 16-24 year-olds not in education, training or work must end. We need to help our most underprivileged group, that is, white, working-class boys, succeed.
“I would say that only the Conservatives will deliver a future where we are one integrated, sovereign nation; economically successful; working together for national goals, with a strong international voice; where we live together safely, work and effort is respected and rewarded and those who cannot help themselves are helped.”
“Expected backlashes against the Lib Dem administration locally have not been seen in recent elections, despite the controversy surrounding policies like on-street parking charges, so why has there not been an upsurge of support for the Tories, even if just as a protest vote?
“Would-be MP James Spencer said protest parties struggle to govern because the platform they run on is ultimately untenable.
“I think this is why we haven’t seen a swing back to the Conservatives (yet!) in St Albans; we consistently run on a platform of measured, achievable, and costed plans, which don’t necessarily get the headlines, but are sound and reasonable.
“We also have to be realistic about how badly our brand has been damaged by the behaviour of the party nationally over the last couple of years. Naturally, it will take time for us to once again regain the trust of the British electorate, but under Kemi’s leadership we are definitely starting to see the green shoots of recovery.”
Aaron Jacob said although people vote for all sorts of reasons, it was always inevitable that the national picture would have an impact on the Conservatives locally, something he knows only too well after being elected in 2021 and then losing his seat the following year.
“More broadly, the Lib Dems have such huge numbers on the district council that it difficult to show what we Conservatives can do for people locally. Not being a councillor means that there are limited ways in which, I, for example, can help people and do things for our community. The Lib Dems have multiple opportunities to do this as the majority administration.
“There are now multiple political parties that voters can choose from. Competition is a good thing, and our job is to persuade people that we can be trusted to do the things we say we will. When people vote for us, we need to keep that trust by delivering.”
Frances Leonard worries about the choices people are making: “Residents are now seeing parties such as the Greens as an alternative to the Lib Dems, unfortunately this is the most extreme left wing party on the ballot sheet here. They’re not just about looking after the environment which we Conservatives have always championed but nationally advocate banning many domestic flights, abandoning our nuclear deterrent in an increasingly dangerous world and scrapping Trident and massively expanding overseas aid.
“They have so many unfunded spending plans, all in my opinion on the wrong things. The first responsibility of Government is to defend its people, the Greens certainly won’t do that.”
More positive comments came from Mary Maynard, who thinks there has already been a backlash against the Lib Dem administration: “In the Harpenden North by election in October 2024, Sue Griffiths regained the seat from the Liberal Democrats. Canvassing in the ward was interesting. Those who paid attention to local politics were very unhappy and pledged their support. Those who voted on national issues still wanted to ‘protest vote’ for the Liberal Democrats but were open to voting Conservative in future.
“In the recent Redbourn by-election, our vote was split with the Reform candidate, allowing the Liberal Democrats to come through. However, we know that many of our voters were still not convinced we had returned to our true Conservative values and stayed at home. In the county elections, we won in Harpenden South West, with one of our new breed of young, committed Conservatives, Matt Cowley, who is now demonstrating that the Liberal Democrats cannot be trusted to deliver on their promises with his work on his transport portfolio.”
So do our panel of experts think people are still holding grudges for national failings by the Conservatives, and if so, how can they turn the tide locally and improve potential voters’ perspectives of the party?
Cllr Cowley said a large number of people still haven’t forgiven the party for the mess they made during their last few years in Government: “Our job locally is to keep working hard to win that trust back – not because it might win us a few more seats (although that would certainly be helpful to give us a bigger platform and more muscle to hold the Lib Dems to account), but because it is the right thing to do.
“The people I speak to in Harpenden, St. Albans and the villages appreciate the forensic, detailed work we are doing to hold the Liberal Democrats to account. I think they also appreciate the quiet and detailed work we are doing to build a platform for conservative policies which can be reasonably delivered.”
James Spencer said in his perception the biggest grudge was the rate and pace at which we went through leaders.
“For a party which prides itself on being ‘the natural party of government’ the way our leadership behaved was embarrassing.”
However, he offered hope for the future: “I think the upcoming Budget is going to be where we begin to see a shift in the Conservative Party’s fortunes locally.
“As I said repeatedly throughout the General Election campaign, Labour will use areas like St Albans as their cash cow and the Lib Dems will sit idly by as our homes are taxed, our gardens are taxed, our savings and pensions are taxed and our paychecks are raided.
“By the time of the next General Election the choice will be clear; the only way to stop the total disaster of either a Labour or Reform Government will be to vote Conservative.
In the county elections, we won in Harpenden South West, with one of our new breed of young, committed Conservatives, Matt Cowley, who is now demonstrating that the Liberal Democrats cannot be trusted to deliver on their promises with his work on his transport portfolio.”
So do our panel of experts think people are still holding grudges for national failings by the Conservatives, and if so, how can they turn the tide locally and improve potential voters’ perspectives of the party?
Cllr Cowley said a large number of people still haven’t forgiven the party for the mess they made during their last few years in Government: “Our job locally is to keep working hard to win that trust back – not because it might win us a few more seats (although that would certainly be helpful to give us a bigger platform and more muscle to hold the Lib Dems to account), but because it is the right thing to do.
“The people I speak to in Harpenden, St. Albans and the villages appreciate the forensic, detailed work we are doing to hold the Liberal Democrats to account. I think they also appreciate the quiet and detailed work we are doing to build a platform for conservative policies which can be reasonably delivered.”
James Spencer said in his perception the biggest grudge was the rate and pace at which we went through leaders.
“For a party which prides itself on being ‘the natural party of government’ the way our leadership behaved was embarrassing.”
However, he offered hope for the future: “I think this week’s Budget is going to be where we begin to see a shift in the Conservative Party’s fortunes locally.
“As I said repeatedly throughout the General Election campaign, Labour will use areas like St Albans as their cash cow and the Lib Dems will sit idly by as our homes are taxed, our gardens are taxed, our savings and pensions are taxed and our paychecks are raided.
“By the time of the next General Election the choice will be clear; the only way to stop the total disaster of either a Labour or Reform Government will be to vote Conservative.”
Aaron Jacob said Conservatives need to listen more about what people are saying.
“I think that turning the tide locally comes down showing people that we are a group of practically-minded local people who can address people’s concerns and do things locally – even if we are not sitting councillors. Delivery, even on a small scale, can earn people’s trust.
“Secondly, we need to listen and persuade people that we are on their side and care about the things that they care about. In Harpenden, I think that it is standing up for our high street by opposing on-street parking charges, by standing up for our Green Belt and green spaces and seeking to make our public realm as beautiful as it can be. And, for not ever-increasing Council Tax!”
Frances Leonard said that although residents are angry with the last Conservative administration, they forget that five of the 14 years were in coalition with the Liberal Democrats.
“Brexit is still a big issue and still comes up on the doorstep. Whatever your view, that happened and it’s a done deal – sort of!”
Nigel Gardner’s response was straight to the point: “We let Hertfordshire down, the country down – and we let ourselves down. We lost our convictions and we lost the clarity of our beliefs.
“Let me give you one example – stamp duty. I love the fact that Kemi Badenoch has now committed us to scrapping stamp duty. It’s a terrible tax which makes it harder for people to move house and harder to move on with their lives. It stops older people downsizing, and adds to the destruction of our countryside.
“But whilst we now have now the right policy to abolish stamp duty, for years WE were the party hugely increasing it! It’s short and simple, we lost our way.
“‘The Conservative way should be that people can park their cars on the High Street without bureaucratic faff. That people can go into Harpenden police station to report a crime – rather than find it shuttered and closed. That people can open a shop knowing the police will nick shoplifters stealing under £200 – rather than giving them a free hand.”
Mary Maynard added her own thoughts on the issue: “In the last few years of Government, the Conservative Party lost its way and we are now paying the price. The majority of the British people wanted Brexit, but we lost control of delivering the benefits.
“We lost control of our borders, ran down our military, and allowed the cancer of incompetent management to overwhelm our NHS. We indulged the failing Blairite multi-culturalism approach without appreciating the consequences of not integrating and fully involving our newest citizens. We allowed minority elite views to dominate the national debate.
“Now we are paying the price with a disastrous Labour Government, that is making matters even worse, is staggering from crises to crises and is becoming a laughingstock on the world stage.
“By 2029, we will all truly understand why Margaret Thatcher said in 1976 ‘…and Socialist governments traditionally do make a financial mess. They always run out of other people’s money’.
“We need to be honest about our failures and put in place the policies and processes to make sure they are not repeated. In particular, we need to pick candidates who reflect our values. Increasingly people will have a choice, big state socialism, state interference and uncontrolled migration with Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the Greens; the cult of the individual, division and financial chaos with Reform; or sensible economic management and growth, strong borders; opportunity for all who are willing to work and public services that work with the Conservatives.
What, then, would it take for there to be a Conservative renaissance locally?
Aaron Jacob said first and foremost they need to let people know what they stand for: smaller government, lower taxes, for independent businesses, for our high street, and for the protection of our precious green spaces.
He added: “I think we need to meet people where they are community events and business forums, etc. That is why I went to the Harpenden Business Forum back in September, why I have started to do litter picking locally and why I slept rough for the night to raise funds and awareness of a local homelessness charity. If people can see that we can make practical, tangible differences to our local community and to people’s lives, then I think they will be prepared to listen to us.
“Finally, we need to craft a positive message about what we, as a party full of people who live locally, can do on a practical level locally to improve our district.”
Frances Leonard agrees that improving their messaging is crucial to provide an opportunity for residents to understand the alternatives they offer.
“Unfortunately, financially, we can’t compete with the Lib Dems in St Albans who are extremely well resourced locally. We need to persuade voters that a protest vote often brings undesirable results as our current Government proves. They have a massive majority but, unfortunately are completely clueless. They have no philosophy and simply give in to their union paymasters who will keep coming back for more.”
Mary Maynard said there were three things which were necessary to make this happen, the first two internal to the Conservative Party, and the third residents experiencing the real impact of voting for progressive parties.
“First, nationally, the Conservatives will have to complete their current transformation. For the past year, we have been doing a root and branch review of what Conservatism stands for in the 21st century, starting from fundamental principles. This has been associated with significant changes in how candidates are selected to ensure they represent core Conservative values. Issues will change, but our values must endure.
“Second, we need to rebuild locally with a new generation of activists and candidates. This is underway, and some of our young representatives are already making their presence felt in local councils.
“Third, local people need to experience what voting locally for progressive parties, like the Liberal Democrats really means in practice. Incompetent management of local councils, leading to inability to control budgets, wasted investment and rising debt, then demands for more money leading to higher taxes, then even more incompetence and waste.
“In my hometown of Harpenden, 60 per cent of residents may shortly find out what ‘progressive’ means in practice nationally. Labour has listened to Liberal Democrat calls to increase taxes on larger homes and they appear to be about to implement swingeing increases in Council Tax to those living in a Band F, G or H homes.
“’Progressive’ is not ‘being kind’ and ‘helping the poor’. It means taking money from the ‘rich’ (which is eventually all of us) and giving it to politicians, so they can grow unproductive, wasteful, public-sector empires, which ultimately are there to control and monitor us rather than just provide basic services. It means ‘equalising incomes’ by punitively taxing those who earn more than the average wage to give it to those who earn less, so everyone gets the same, whether they work or not. It means the state eradicating alternative education, so they have control over what our children learn and how they think.”
Finally then, what happens if come May’s elections the results are still grim for the Conservatives, and would any of them consider jumping ship and joining another political group?
James Spencer is resolute in his commitment to the party: “Never. As I said earlier there is no other political party out there which shares my values. Reform, Labour, the Greens, the Corbyn Party, the SNP, and the Lib Dems are all sides of the same dice. They’re big state, high tax, low growth, high welfare, culture-war obsessed socialist parities, just with different views on migration and that’s not for me.
“We fight on. The Conservative Party is the oldest and most successful party in modern political history – we’re not going anywhere any time soon.”
Cllr Cowley is of a similar mindset: “I’ve won elections as a Conservative and I’ve lost a lot more as a Conservative. My principles are conservative ones and I would never sacrifice them simply because I thought it might give me a leg up at election time. If we’re serious about wanting a better politics, then you stay and fight for your principles even when things get tough.”
Aaron Jacob said he was not going anywhere, but added: “The Budget is soon upon us and, according to reports, is set to be punishing. May’s elections are far away, and I would say that there is all to play for. It would be foolish to pre-empt any results. Of course, as activists and those seeking election, we always need to listen to what people say.”
Faithful as ever, Frances Leonard explained why she remained a fervent supporter of the Conservatives: “The party’s philosophy of self-reliance and personal responsibility, living within our means, looking after our families and those who genuinely need help but not encouraging people not to work if they can, matches my philosophy of life, along with the freedom to live life as I see fit as long as it doesn’t adversely affect others.
“To others I would say that the Conservative Party is the only party that will enable you to enjoy the benefits of you hard work and proposes the lightest touch on how you live your life, we won’t restrict your choices on modes of travel for example and we’ll aim to let you keep more of your hard earned cash.”
Mary Maynard said they would fight on, and she would be with them in their journey back to power: “I started as a floating voter and have voted for Labour, the Liberal Democrats, and the Scottish Nationalists. In my 20s, the Liberals even offered me a job working in Parliament. Gradually, I saw that socialism and wishy-washy liberalism only benefit a small self-satisfied governing elite.
“I have voted Conservative for decades for one main reason. Conservatives are the only party of opportunity who encourage everyone to succeed, irrespective of any characteristic: sex, creed, colour or class. They gave their top job to a girl from the Midlands whose dad ran a shop; a working-class boy from Brixton who didn’t go to university; an Indian boy whose mum and dad ran a local chemist; a London girl of African heritage. They even gave it to a couple of old Etonians, despite widespread prejudice against their background, because they felt they were the best candidates at the time.
“I would never jump ship as only the Conservatives truly believe in equality, individual liberty and opportunity for all.”
