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

Holocaust Memorial Parade

Last night, Oliver joined with hundreds of people to pay tribute to the victims of the Holocaust at the annual memorial parade through Bushey. The event saw dignitaries, including Oliver, the Mayor of Hertsmere and local councillors, walk through the centre of Bushey in an evening parade, fini

Oliver Switches on Potters Bar Christmas Lights

At an event attended by hundreds of people on Saturday evening Oliver lit this year’s Potters Bar Christmas lights. Speaking afterwards, he said: ‘It was great fun to switch on Potters Bar’s lights this year!

Honouring Kindertransport at Memorial Event in Parliament

Oliver last week spoke at the event in the Speaker’s House in Parliament commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Kindertransport. The Kindertransport is the name for the organised evacuation of thousands of children from Europe to Britain in the year before the Second World War, saving them from

Oliver Stands With Constituents Against Anti-Semitism

On Monday, Oliver showed his solidarity with protesters against anti-Semitism when he attended the event in Parliament Square organised by the Jewish Leadership Council. The event attracted hundreds of people, including parliamentarians from all the main parties. Speaking after the event, Oliver s

Oliver Dowden Calls for BMA to Protect Faith Groups’ Right to Circumcision

Oliver has written to the Chair of the British Medical Association, Dr Chaand Nagpaul, calling for the Association to respect the practices of religious groups when reviewing guidelines over non-therapeutic circumcision. The call came as the British Medical Association conducts its latest peri

Joining Local Mitzvah Day Celebrations

Oliver over the weekend joined in with the Mitzvah Day activities at Radlett United Synagogue and Goods for Good in Borehamwood. The events saw people of all ages and ages and faiths coming together in a series of activities for charity.

Oliver Celebrates Creation of Israel in Balfour Centenary Debate

Oliver has marked the centenary of the Balfour Declaration in an intervention in the House of Commons, celebrating the foundation of the State of Israel. He made his comments during the Foreign Secretary’s statement to the House to mark the anniversary of the declaration and speaking afterward

Oliver Re-Elected as Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for British Jews

Oliver has been re-elected as the Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for British Jews at the group’s annual meeting. The All Party Parliamentary Group on British Jews aims to broaden and deepen connections between Parliament and the UK Jewish community. This will be Oliver’s second ye