× Home News Features Shopping Housebuilding About Contact

Local News

Green party wins in Sele by-election

Thursday 17 July 2025

The Green Party has won two more seats on Hertford Town Council following last week's by-election in Sele Ward.

Newly elected town councillors Sarah Aldridge and Drew Waller-Downes

Sarah Aldridge and Drew Waller-Downes, both long-standing Sele residents, were elected with 385 and 351 votes  respectively.

Sarah has lived in Sele for over a decade and works in marketing. She said: "I'm so pleased to have been elected as a Hertford Town Councillor for Sele Ward. I would like to thank everyone who supported Drew and me in this campaign. I enjoyed speaking to many of my fellow Sele residents
during this campaign who kindly took time out of their day to tell me what their priorities are. I feel privileged to serve my neighbours and will work hard to represent Sele and support this town. I look forward to working with Drew and everyone at Hertford Town Council."

Drew grew up in Hertford, lives in Sele and works as a data scientist. He said: "After a hotly contested by-election I'm delighted to be elected alongside Sarah as a councillor for Sele Ward. It was fantastic to connect to fellow members of the community during the campaign and I feel privileged to represent us at the Town Council. Thank you for the massive support we received from the East Herts Green Party, friends, family, and the wider Sele community. The outcome reflects the hard work and engagement of all involved. This result allows us to add our voices and efforts to the brilliant work of the Green-led Hertford Town Council, improving our local community, sustainability, and environment with integrity and common sense."

The election was contested by 10 candidates from five political parties following the resignation of Sele's two Labour councillors.

Full results

Nigel Adams Reform 236 votes
Sarah Aldridge Green Party 385 votes (Elected)
Robert Cinnamon Conservative 180 votes
Jan Goodeve Conservative 193 votes
Geoffrey Madge Liberal Democrats 75 votes
Anne McGeachin Labour 151 votes
Andrew Porrer Liberal Democrats 77 votes
Martin Smith Labour 137 votes
Drew Waller Downes Green Part 351 votes (Elected)
David West Reform 218 votes

Click here for more news

Want to submit a news item?

If you have a press release you'd like to send us or suggestions for a news story related to Hertford please email newsdesk(at)hertford.org.uk or fill out the contact form.