Committee – Harpenden and Berkhamsted - Harpenden and Berkhamsted Labour

Symon Vegro, Chair

I have been a member of the Labour Party since leaving University, and believe passionately that only Labour has the desire and capability to deliver an inclusive society based on principles of fairness and equality, to advance the meritocratic ideal, and to mitigate against the inevitable ravages of uncontrolled capitalism. I am proud to call myself a socialist. When I’m not working hard to defeat the Tories I write books - currently I have six in publication, with more on the way. My “Grand Passions” include the life and works of John Keats, the music of Pink Floyd, and Leicester Tigers, where I am a long-term season ticket holder. Honourable mention should also be made of my favourite sporting event, the Tour de France, and my favourite novelist, Charles Dickens. I am a friend of the Royal Opera House, and a member of the Keats Foundation, the Keats-Shelley Memorial Association, and the Brontë Society. My purpose is to leave everyone I come into contact with better and happier, apart from Tories ☺

Simon Pusey, Secretary

Clive Goodhall, Treasurer

I have been a member of the Labour Party for the last four years after previously been very active in the 1980s. I have lived in Harpenden for forty years and have seen, even in such an affluent town, the devastating impact on people’s lives caused by the Conservatives’ relentless and callous policies of austerity and underfunding of local government. I am determined to do all I can to bring about the election of a Labour government in order to bring back hope and respect for those whose lives have been shattered by fourteen years of Tory cuts and chaos.

James Salway, Vice Chair, Campaigns

Debbie Charlton, Women's Officer

I was a primary school teacher for 30 years, then retrained to be a health visitor in 2013. I have seen first hand the devastation of austerity on families with young children and how 15 years of tory government have stripped back vital services for families, which has directly impacted the lives of women. My focus on helping to improve lives and outcomes for women and children

Justin Derbyshire, Trade Union Liaison Officer

Andrew Hayes, Policy Officer

Ben Dearman, Political Education and Training Officer

Rebecca Mackenzie, Vice Chair, Membership

For the last nearly 20 years I have been working as a therapeutic Counsellor while also raising my 2 children. I come from a Labour supporting family, and have always held Labour values of Equality & Justice. Green issues have also been a huge concern for me over many years. I think this country & this planet desperately needs the next UK government to be a Labour one. I am passionately interested in discussing & developing Labour Party Policy with my fellow party members, and will be working hard to ensure we effectively feed in to the policy making process.

Ted Carroll, Communications and Social Media Officer

I have lived in Berkhamsted for 38 years and have had a long career in IT. In my last 20 years of work, I have worked across many areas of government and have a good understanding of Policing, Justice, Transport, Home Office and Government Web Sites. I have been a member of the Labour Party since the late 70s but I have not been active recently until I retired in 2020. I believe passionately that The Labour Party is our only chance to get a fairer government and we should use technology and Social media to get our message across, particularly to young people.