Following the next general election, Abbots Langley will no longer be part of the Watford constituency, but will instead be included as part of South West Hertfordshire.
Gagan Mohindra, MP for South West Hertfordshire, and Dean Russell, MP for Watford, came together at Abbots Langley Methodist Hall on Saturday, February 3, to discuss the change.
Mr Russell MP took the opportunity to lend his endorsement and support to Mr Mohindra MP, the incumbent Conservative candidate for South West Hertfordshire in the next general election. If Mr Mohindra MP is re-elected, Abbots Langley, Leavesden, Hunton Bridge, Kings Langley and Bedmond will come under his constituency.
The event offered the chance for Mr Mohindra MP to learn more about the new areas he will be campaigning in during this election year. The residents in turn had the chance to grill both MPs, get to know their opinions and experience over the last four years in Parliament, and discuss the important issues in Abbots Langley.
Mr Russell MP opened the event by thanking the residents of Abbots Langley for the privilege that he has had in representing local interests in Parliament for the past four years, and gave his support to Mr Mohindra MP for the upcoming election.
Residents’ questions included discussions on key community issues, such as the possible creation of an expanded doctor’s surgery on the current site of Breakspeare School, and the ability of residents to communicate effectively with local police and to report local crimes.
Mr Mohindra MP highlighted the importance of an “infrastructure-first” approach when any form of community growth occurs. Both MPs also emphasised the work they have done with the government and the Hertfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner in recruiting 338 new police officers for the county.
Away from local issues, the discussion also turned to issues of national policy, with questions ranging from Brexit to the capacity of the NHS, as well as questions on the UK’s defence capabilities, changes in consumer behaviour, and the development of the UK’s nuclear energy capacity.
The conversation then turned to a discussion regarding the recent expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone. Both MPs agreed with the concerns raised by residents about the additional charge this is imposing on essential daily travel, and emphasised that the expansion should be reversed by the Mayor of London.
Both Mr Russell MP and Mr Mohindra MP hoped that residents left with a greater understanding of their work in Parliament, their characters and their plans for the future.
Following the event, Mr Russell MP said: “I am truly saddened and disappointed that the areas across the Abbots Langley parish that I have enjoyed representing over the last four years will no longer be part of the Watford constituency following the next general election, but I am reassured that the wards will fall under Gagan’s constituency. He is a great MP, and I have enjoyed working closely with him over the last four years so he is aware of local issues and campaigns. I hope residents today got a sense of how hard he will work for them.”
Mr Mohindra MP added: “It continues to be a great honour to be able to represent South West Hertfordshire, and I look forward to hopefully working in the interests of the people in Abbots Langley, Gade Valley and Leavesden following the next general election.
“My thanks to my good friend Dean for all his support and his tireless work as the MP for Watford over the past four years – I hope I can follow in his shoes and continue his great work for this area.”
Both Mr Mohindra MP and Mr Russell MP will continue to be the MPs for their current constituencies until the next election, and both of them urge any constituents who need assistance to get in touch at gagan.mohindra.mp@parliament.uk or dean.russell.mp@parliament.uk
The date for the election has not yet been set, but must take place before January 28, 2025.
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