In just six days’ time residents in Watford will elect a new Mayor. Dorothy Thornhill leaves a council that has been nominated for Council of the Year and praised by external assessors. It is testament to her leadership that after 16 years she has so many supporters.

Whoever is elected to this position will have to grapple with big challenges: making sure we have better transport infrastructure, that we care for the most vulnerable in our town and that we provide excellent services for everyone, despite cuts in our funding from central government.

I have attended many community events and knocked on thousands of doors in recent weeks, in every part of our town. I am really grateful to everyone for the warmth of their welcome. We are fortunate to have so many active voluntary, faith and community groups. Time and again I have been struck by their genuine care for our town and its future.

Thank you again to everyone for their encouragement, questions and courtesy during this election campaign. It would be a huge honour to serve as this town’s next Mayor.

Cllr Peter Taylor

Liberal Democrat Candidate for Mayor of Watford