Tory Blues in South West Hertfordshire as their Members Refuse to Stand for Councils

5 Apr 2019

Jo Swinson in Watford — Jo Swinson MP visits Watford

The Watford Liberal Democrats say that Conservative members have given up on their troubled party. There are no Conservative candidates standing in certain areas of Watford - for the first time ever.

There are no Conservative candidates in Stanborough Ward (Watford Borough) and in Abbots Langley, Gade Valley and Leavesden (Three Rivers). These are all wards that have historically elected Conservative councillors and together make up around a quarter of the Watford Parliamentary constituency - currently held by Richard Harrington MP.

For some time now there have not been any Conservative councillors on Watford Borough Council .

The Liberal Democrats have fielded a full slate of candidates across both Watford, Dacorum, St Albans and Three Rivers.

Liberal Democrat Elected Mayor of Watford Peter Taylor said, 'The Watford Conservatives have simply given up on Watford. They have no councillors in Watford Borough and now they can't even field candidates in our town.

Voters now have a clear choice on May 2nd. To support their Liberal Democrat councillors who are working to continue moving our town forwards, investing in our parks and leisure centres or the local Labour Party - who were at the wheel when Watford Council was branded by government inspectors as "one of the worst run councils in the country" .'

Liberal Democrat leader of Three Rivers District Council Cllr Sara Bedford said, 'This is truly shocking. The Conservatives state they would like to run Three Rivers District, but they are not even contesting enough seats to make that a possibility.

'They did not propose a budget for the Council earlier this year. In addition the Conservatives have not put forward a single idea or plan for any of the major issues facing Three Rivers residents. They are simply not a credible force in local politics in much of this area anymore.'

Liberal Democrat Hertfordshire County Councillor for Tring and the Villages, Nick Hollinghurst, said, 'The local Conservative party is in complete disarray. They've got no councillors in Watford, no candidates in an area covering quarter of the parliamentary constituency and now no chance of winning it. Voters wherever they are should back their local Liberal Democrat candidates who will stand up for their communities on May 2nd.'

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