We call upon you as Hertsmere’s Member of Parliament and co-Chairman of the Conservative Party to publicly condemn the actions of Hertsmere  councillors and your agent in respect of their negative campaigning and demand that they face a more fitting punishment which may include suspension from the Party.

The findings of an investigation by Conservative Party Central Office, chaired by an independent QC and approved by your Party co-Chairman into the behaviour of five members of Hertsmere Conservative Association, including four current councillors bring shame upon your Party and on our constituency.

The five have been reprimanded for ‘personal’ and ‘negative’ campaigning that includes the fact that they ‘may well have incited Antisemitic hatred’ against Labour and Cooperative councillor for Borehamwood Kenilworth, Dan Ozarow. 

The 'defamatory billboard' used against him for electoral gain was described as ‘unnecessary and vindictive’ and elements of the campaign labelled ‘sinister’ by the Panel. 

Media coverage has been extensive, with The Guardian, Private Eye, The Independent, HertsLive and Jewish News all covering the story.

We note the punishments – ‘formal reprimands’ and ‘being sent on training courses,’ were extremely lenient given the gravity of the actions. It sends out an appalling message about how seriously The Conservative Party deals with issues relating to Antisemitism. We note that following the ruling, several Hertsmere Conservative councillors, including some of those named, are still continuing their smears and defamation against Dan. They appear to hold their own Party in contempt.

Some of us were Conservative voters who will struggle to support your Party again locally. Some of us are not. Some of us are Jewish, some are not. What we all unite around is that we are disgusted by Hertsmere Conservatives’ behaviour and their continual smearing of opposition councillors and candidates. It has to stop.