Labour councillor Nigel Bell’s letter just confirms that his approach is to repeat a falsehood in the hope that it will somehow become true.

The last Labour government did not agree funding for the hospital – to say otherwise is pure invention on Labour’s part. And the former coalition government did fund new hospital facilities, such as the birthing unit.

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Most importantly it provided funding for the new road, which was the vital step needed to keep acute services, including A&E, in Watford.

The reality is that Watford Labour councillors have consistently tried to play short-term political games over our hospital rather than face up to what was needed to keep hospital services in Watford.

Watford Observer:

An artist's impression of the Health Campus

They have sneered at the health campus scheme, opposed providing council land to the hospital and been at best inconsistent over the new access road.

If their approach had been followed Watford General would be looking at a future of decline, rather than of new investment.

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I am proud that the Liberal Democrats have put our hospital first and taken the sometimes difficult decisions needed to secure its future.

Given Labour’s shameful record, it is no wonder Cllr Bell and his colleagues want to distract attention from reality.

Cllr Iain Sharpe, cabinet member for regeneration and development, Watford Borough Council