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 Receives Temple's Blessing For Re-Election Campaign

Oliver on Friday received the blessing of the Hare Krishna temple at Bhaktivedanta Manor for his bid to serve again as Hertsmere's MP. Speaking today, Oliver said: 'I'm a big supporter of Bhaktivedanta Manor.' 'I've visited on many occasions.

Oliver Joins Commemorations for Holocaust Memorial Day

On Thursday evening last week Oliver joined with people from across Hertsmere in Radlett for commemorations marking Holocaust Memorial Day 2017. Oliver said: ‘It’s so important that we as a county and a community remember and commemorate the Holocaust.

Oliver Joins Mitzvah Day in Hertsmere

Oliver joined in with events for Mitzvah Day across Hertsmere on Sunday. The events ranged from knitting bonnets for premature babies in Radlett, to helping sort donations at the Watford Peace Hospice with Bushey Synagogue and clearing out the brambles at the village green on Woodstock Hill in

Local MP Joins Celebrations Welcoming New Rabbi to Hertsmere

Oliver Dowden, Member of Parliament for Hertsmere, joined celebrations for the installation of Oliver Joseph as the new Rabbi of the Elstree & Borehamwood Masorti Synagogue. Ceremonies were led by the Masorti Senior Rabbi, Jonathan Wittenberg. Following the event on Sunday, Oliver said: ‘

Oliver joins Diwali Celebrations in Downing Street, Parliament and Hertsmere

Oliver Dowden, Member of Parliament for Hertsmere, joined in celebrations for the annual Diwali festival of lights at a range of events in Westminster and Hertsmere last week.   Last Monday, Oliver joined his Grace Srutidharma das, the Temple President of Bhaktivedanta Manor, for an even