By, Marcus Dysch
1 min read
ByMarcus Dysch, Marcus Dysch
The Liberal Democrats are fielding a candidate in the constituency with the country’s fastest-growing Jewish community who refuses to talk to the media.
Sophie Bowler is standing for the party in Hertsmere, a Conservative safe seat which encompasses Borehamwood, Elstree and Radlett.
But in a sign that the party does not intend to fight for the seat, the JC has been told Ms Bowler will not be publicising her campaign at any point between now and election day on May 7.
In the 2010 election, Liberal Democrat candidate Anthony Rowlands won 8,210 votes. That put him third, 661 votes behind Labour.
Ms Bowler’s candidacy only emerged this week, although Laurence Brass, the outgoing Board of Deputies treasurer and a former Lib Dem parliamentary candidate, said she had been selected in February.
She is listed on the party’s website as a candidate but does not have a profile page or any details about her campaign. Mr Brass claimed she was regarded as a “rising star” in the party. She currently works for financial firm BDO in London.
Ms Bowler was previously an assistant to the party’s former MEP Bill Newton Dunn and worked in the European Parliament. Mr Brass said she also had experience of working in Australia.
Her election agent, Lloyd Harris, said: “It’s a time thing. She does not have available time to talk to anyone. That’s why we do written correspondence.
“I’ve offered you a written correspondence, a statement. I don’t know what more I can do.
“She won’t be speaking to any press live. It just can’t happen.
“If you would like a statement send me a list of questions.”
The constituency’s MP for the past 23 years has been Tory James Clappison. He has retired and is widely-expected to be replaced by David Cameron’s former deputy chief-of-staff, Oliver Dowden. The Conservatives enjoy a 17,605 majority.
It is expected that parties will put up paper candidates in the weeks before the election in a number of constituencies across the country that they do not expect to win.
