Supporting the Diverse Local Community

One of our great strengths in Hertsmere is the diversity of our community locally, and one of the great joys of being Hertsmere’s MP has been making a huge range of informative and enjoyable visits with the different communities in the borough. 

I am proud to represent one of the largest Jewish communities in the country. As former chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for British Jews and officer of the Conservative Friends of Israel, I have always been a strong voice in standing up for the community locally and nationally.  

I have had the pleasure of making great friends and enjoying a variety of events, including Mitzvah days, Friday night dinners and Menorah lighting.   

I also stand firm against the scourge of antisemitism and have made key achievements in this respect, including successfully lobbying ministers to fully ban Hezbollah and Hamas and making key progress in my campaign to ban public bodies from imposing divisive Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) campaigns against foreign countries, which invariably target the state of Israel. 

I continue to engage closely with Jewish leaders and remain a staunch friend and ally of the community. 

We also have a growing Hindu population and a leading Hare Krishna Temple at Bhaktivedanta Manor in Radlett. I have had an excellent time over the years celebrating a range of festivals in Hertsmere, including Diwali, Janmashtami and Ramanavami at the Manor - joyous occasions where I have been generously welcomed. 

I am committed to defending and enhancing community safety and cohesion and ensuring everybody’s voices are heard. From charities and schools to our wonderful local churches, mosques, synagogues and temples, it is a key priority of mine to engage with and listen to the different communities across Hertsmere. 

News

Oliver visits Radley Care Home

Oliver Dowden recently visited Radley Care Home. Oliver received a tour of the Care Home and talked to residents. In 2017, Oliver had opened the Care Home, which offers residential care, specialist dementia care and respite care. Oliver said, ‘It was great to be back at Radley Care Home to meet w

Oliver's Column for My News - October 2023

As we have just celebrated Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, I want to pass on my best wishes to everyone entering into the festivities. A couple of weeks ago I had the pleasure of joining in with Rosh Hashanah celebrations at Shenley Synagogue.

Oliver Disappointed New Labour-Lib Dem Administration Introduce Garden Waste Tax

Oliver has expressed his disappointment that the Labour and Liberal Democrat administration at Hertsmere Borough Council have voted to charge residents for their green bins. For 18 years under the Conservative run Hertsmere Borough Council, the collection service of garden and food waste was free o

Oliver Catches Up with Shenley Residents at Local Advice Surgery

Oliver was recently joined by Cllr Natalie Susman and Cllr Paul Hodgson-Jones at the Shenley Tea Rooms where he held a local advice surgery.   Oliver said: ‘It was great to catch up with Shenley residents last week to discuss some of their local and national concerns.

Oliver Hails Success of Aldenham Art Festival

  Oliver was delighted to recently visit Aldenham Art Festival which took place in Aldenham Church.   Organised by Ken Haslar, the festival will run on the weekends of 8th – 10th September and 15th – 17th September 2023.   The event will showcase an array of original artwork from

Oliver Disappointed New Labour-Lib Dem Administration Defund PCSOs

Oliver has expressed his disappointment that Labour and Liberal Democrat councillors at Hertsmere Borough Council have voted to defund Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs). With a Labour-Liberal Cabinet now in place following the recent local elections, one of their first decisions since comin

Oliver Commends Mental Health Support at Elysium Healthcare

Today Oliver visited Elysium Healthcare, an independent provider of NHS specialist mental health services, based in Potters Bar. Elysium provides NHS specialist mental health care facilities for teenagers aged between 13 and 18 years old.

Oliver Delighted to Open Bushey Performing Arts Festival

Oliver was delighted to open the annual Bushey Performing Arts Festival on Sunday once again.   Organised by Raymond Coffer, Bushey Performing Arts Festival is a community event dedicated to the performing arts.