A Labour councillor who won a Hertfordshire County Council by-election has said his victory comes with "mixed emotions" after the death of Judi Billing MBE.

Councillor Ian Albert, who is already a district councillor in North Herts, won the Hitchin North seat in County Hall with 65.8 per cent of the vote yesterday (Thursday, February 9).

His predecessor Judi Billing (Lab) died at the age of 71 on November 24 last year.

She served on the county council for nine years until her death, and represented Hitchin Bearton on North Herts Council for 42.

"There are mixed emotions," Cllr Albert said.

"It’s a fantastic result for Labour today and it shows Hitchin is a Labour town, but I’ve been speaking a lot to Judi’s daughters today.

"I’m hugely sad Judi’s not here to see this and I think we’ve done her proud today.

"These are huge shoes to fill.

"So many people on the doorsteps have shared with me how much Judi has done for them over the years.

"I’m really very proud they have given their trust to me today in such numbers and I hope to build on Judi’s legacy – all the things she’s done and all the things she wanted to do as a community.

"One of the key things Judi always said is it is so important to work cross-party for the benefit of Hitchin, Hertfordshire and the wider country.”

Cllr Albert added: "One key priority is to work cross-party to deliver new station access for Hitchin.

"We want to get lorries off the roads in Hitchin, working with businesses and residents to do that.

"As we look at the wider county, we’ve got to look at Labour’s alternative for Hertfordshire – an alternative budget and different ways to spend a big budget on services which are absolutely vital."

The Labour Party increased its vote share by 13.4 per cent compared with the 2021 county-wide election.

Against 1,992 votes for Cllr Albert, Conservative party candidate Ralph Muncer took 526 votes (18.4 per cent), with the Greens’ Deolinda Eltringham on 415 votes (13.7 per cent) and Christian Peoples Alliance candidate Leigh Smith on 93 (3.1).

The Liberal Democrats did not stand a candidate, and the turnout was 26.35 per cent.

Cllr Muncer, who represents Kimpton on North Herts Council, said: "I’m sure Ian is going to take what he’s heard from residents on the doorstep into Hertfordshire County Council.

"There are key issues we can work cross-party on, such as access to the east of Hitchin railway station which Bim Afolami MP has been doing a lot of work on as well."

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Cllr Muncer added: "I would like to thank all of those who supported me and voted for me in this election.

"This election has been held in the saddest of circumstances, but congratulations for Ian Albert, the new county councillor for Hitchin North.

"I know he will do a really good job building on Judi’s legacy of public service – more than 40 years in North Herts and nine years in County Hall."

Cllr Judi Billing was herself elected onto Hertfordshire County Council at a by-election, following the death of her husband David in 2013.

When she died, Judi Billing was leader of the Labour Group at County Hall, a role which Cllr Nigel Bell (West Watford) has taken on.

Cllr Bell said: "It is a brilliant Victory by Ian and his team and Ian is a great addition to our Labour team at County Hall.

"I am sure Judi Billing would have been proud of Ian and his team’s success as he will work to carry on her success and good work in Hitchin and the County for Labour."

Politicians across the country have previously paid tribute to Judi Billing.

                                                                                                                           

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Bim Afolami, Conservative MP for Hitchin and Harpenden, previously told the House of Commons: "Judi Billing had served as a district councillor since 1980 and was an excellent public servant, and I wanted to make that point on the floor of the House."

Sir Keir Starmer MP, Labour Party leader and MP for Holborn and St Pancras, said: "A councillor for over 40 years and committed to helping others, Judi’s service to the Labour Party and to local government was unparalleled."