2006 Hertsmere Borough Council election

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The 2006 Hertsmere Borough Council election was held on 4 May 2006 to elect one third of the 39 seats on the council (14 seats). Turnout was 38.4%, about 1.4 percentage points lower than the previous election. An extra seat in Aldenham East was contested after councillor Nigel Gilmore stepped down.

Before the vote, the Conservatives held 26 seats, Labour 7, and Liberal Democrats 6. Ten seats were being defended by the Conservatives, three by Labour, and two by the Liberal Democrats.

The Conservatives won 11 of the seats up for election, Labour won 1, and the Liberal Democrats won 2. After the results, the Conservatives held 28 seats, Labour 5, and the Liberal Democrats 6, giving the Conservatives an overall majority of 17 seats on the 39-seat council (28 to 11 against).

Gains and losses included the Conservatives taking Borehamwood Brookmeadow by 103 votes and Borehamwood Kenilworth after recounts, while Labour lost in Kenilworth by 12 votes but held Borehamwood Cowley Hill by 86 votes. The Liberal Democrats retained both of their Bushey seats.

Reaction included Labour’s Leon Reefe saying national issues influenced local voting, while the Conservative council leader commented that local services were good and national events also played a role.