Residents in re-established seat react to election

After being founded in the 1800s until the early 1980s, the Hertfordshire seat had mostly been held by the Conservatives.

But on Friday, former Mid Bedfordshire MP Alistair Strathern won the seat for Labour, with Bim Afolami coming second for the Tories.

People living and working in the constituency have reacted to the result and said what they would like to see happen in their area.

'Change is always good'

Joe Brammer wants more help for small businesses and markets

Joe Brammer runs a business in Hitchin called Joe's Gold Exchange. He admitted he was "a little bit scared" of the new Labour government.

However, the 28-year-old explained that was only due to change.

He said: "I was quite young when Labour were last in power so I can't really remember Labour being in power, so it will be different, but change is always good.

"Hopefully he brings in some good changes... We're in a Labour town now, so we're hoping that brings us some redevelopment.

"I hope for more investment in small businesses, more for markets like this. Hitchin is a market town."

'Things are getting really expensive'

Joanna Lakin said she did not trust politicians

Joanna Lakin lives in the Hitchin constituency.

The 29-year-old found the Labour victory a shock and said she was "not quite sure how I feel about it".

The accountant added: "I hope that the cost of living decreases. Things are getting really expensive and it's difficult with all the bills rising.

"I have a decent paying job but struggling to pay bills and increased food shop, everything has gone up in price.

"I just don't think I trust any of the politicians. I feel like I can't trust anything they're saying."

'My hope is they'll be brave'

Jason Matthews wants the new Labour government to "be brave"

Jason Matthews, 49, lives in Hitchin and works in financial services.

He said while he did vote for Labour, he was "not that optimistic about there being much change".

He said: "I'm not sure where they're going to get the money from.

"My hope is they'll be brave and do something different. They got a large mandate, so hopefully they feel empowered to make some real changes instead of fiddling around the edges."

'Where's the money coming from?'

Maureen Sibley said she was concerned about how changes could be afforded by Labour

Maureen Sibley, 86, did not vote for Labour in the general election.

When asked about Keir Starmer, she said: "I'm not sure what he's gonna do. He's full of promises, but where's the money coming from? Everything will go up and up to pay for it.

"I hope they do their very best for us all. I hope all his promises come true, but we'll see and time will tell."

'I know the state the NHS is in'

Claire Chipperfield is a nurse and wants to see improvements to the NHS

Nurse Claire Chipperfield explained it was too early to make a judgement on the new government.

The 50-year-old, who lives in the constituency, said: "It depends what happens. I can't say if it's positive or negative.

"We need a change - whether it's going to be change for the best I really can't answer."

She was hopeful the new government would push for improvements to the NHS.

"As a nurse I know the state the NHS is in. I don't think that's a quick fix."

'I'm cautiously optimistic'

Lara Latta is hopeful for more spending on the NHS

Lara Latta was "not surprised" about the Labour win and described herself as "cautiously optimistic".

She said: "Renationalised railways would be a good start, as they promised, or improving the NHS, but again I'm cautiously optimistic, so we will have to wait and see.

"The NHS is such a big thing, especially since Covid. More people are relying on it and it has been defunded over the years".

She said she would also like to see more spending on schools.

-bbc