Josh Dean, the Labour Party‘s candidate for the Hertford and Stortford constituency in the upcoming General Election, is poised to challenge incumbent MP Julie Marson of the Conservative Party.
His competitors include Helen Campbell of the Liberal Democrats, Nick Cox of the Green Party, and John Burmicz of the Reform UK party.
Dean’s journey into politics began with his election to the Hertford Town Council in May 2023. Before this, in 2021, he ran as a Labour candidate for the Hertford St Andrews division in the Hertfordshire County Council elections, coming within a narrow margin of victory, just 170 votes shy of winning.
Josh Dean (Credits: Bishop’s Stortford Independent)
His campaign platform addresses pressing issues such as the cost-of-living crisis, bolstering support for the NHS and social care, combatting the climate crisis, enhancing community safety, and expanding resident opportunities.
Dean expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to represent his community, saying, “It’s the honor of my life to be selected as Labour’s candidate in the community where I grew up and where I call home.”
He highlighted his deep ties to the area, having grown up in Hertford and Stortford, attended local schools, and is currently serving as a representative for Castle Ward on the Hertford Town Council.
Josh Dean (Credits: Bishop’s Stortford Independent)
Dean’s trajectory into politics underscores the importance of youth engagement, as he emphasized the significance of young people’s involvement in effecting political change.
Dean’s campaign aligns with several of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, including Decent Work and Economic Growth (Goal 8), Climate Action (Goal 13), and Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions (Goal 16).
These goals reflect his commitment to building a sustainable, inclusive, and equitable community, mirroring the values the University of Westminster upheld, where he pursued his degree.
