In my first column I want to shine a light on hospital waiting times.

NHS waiting lists in West Hertfordshire are surging. Over the last year, local waiting lists have soared by over 6,000 and there are now over 60,000 people waiting for a procedure. As someone married to an NHS doctor, I am acutely aware that this is just one aspect of the profound crisis in our healthcare system.

Last January, Rishi Sunak pledged to reduce waiting lists but since then they have skyrocketed. The Conservative Party's decision to cut real-terms NHS funding by billions of pounds has meant local health services are overstretched, struggling to meet the needs of our community.

I’ve visited Watford General many times and always been impressed by the staff, medical and clerical. Their concerns are plain – there’s not enough funds or support across the wider care network. It is unacceptable that so many people are waiting so long for essential treatments, putting their lives on hold and, in some cases, unable to work.

The Liberal Democrats are calling for an urgent reversal of the Conservative’s NHS spending cuts. The Government, backed by Watford’s current MP, has broken its promises. They’ve slashed the NHS budget by £3.5 billion this year, with an additional £1.3 billion cut planned for next year.

If I had the privilege to serve as Watford’s MP, I would be honest about the funding and changes needed to improve health services. We need investment in healthcare and a real plan for social care to give people dignity. Supporting all those who provide social care would also reduce the pressures on hospitals.

We need a general election now so that voters in Watford have a chance to replace this out-of-touch government.

  • Ian Stotesbury is the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary candidate for Watford