The new Tory candidate for Watford has vowed to give the town an “identity of its own” and hopes to gain influence at the “highest levels of government”.

Richard Harrington was formally appointed as the Conservative Party's parliamentary candidate for the town at the weekend, replacing disgraced Ian Oakley.

“I do believe in people's minds, the next election will be a referendum on Gordon Brown and David Cameron,” he said.

And despite Oakley's sadistic crimes still being fresh in many voters' memories, Mr Harrington says he is confident of victory at the next General Election - whenever that may be.

The 51-year-old father-of-two, added: “National issues are very important to people because they are worried about the economy, the national debt and how much it is going to cost them.

“I have spoken to a lot of people in Watford as part of my selection and a lot of people believe the council is not as good as it suggests in its publicity.

“I think there are a lot of issues here, not least the levels of council tax.”

A friend of James Clappison, MP for Hertsmere – the pair were best men at each others weddings – Mr Harrington beat off nearly 80 candidates to be selected.

A long-standing party activist, the Oxbridge graduate currently acts as chairman of the Conservative Friends of Israel.

He is also a Conservative Party treasurer, during which time he set up the Number 10 Club, a £10,000 a year members only fundraising organisation.

And with contacts throughout the Tory party, Mr Harrington says he hopes to gain influence in any future Tory government.

He added: “I think Watford has been neglected by the Government for too long.

“It has not had a very powerful voice for too long and I do believe it will be my job, if elected, to reflect the views of residents at the highest levels of government.

“I hope to be an important part of the new intake of Conservative MPs.”

The victims of Oakley's hate crimes, almost exclusively Liberal Democrats in Watford, are yet to receive an apology from the local Conservative Party. Asked about Oakley, Mr Harrington said: “To be a victim of any crime is so horrible.

“I feel completely sorry for them as a human being to another human being.

“I am pleased the police, after an extensive investigation, were able to find the person responsible and bring him to justice.”

Mr Harrington currently lives in north London but will move into a flat he owns on the Cassiobury estate in January.

And amid criticisms he has been flown in from outside the town, he stresses his roots have been in Watford for a long time.

His sister and mother live locally, while his brother-in-law teaches at a local school and the former property developer says his first job was in Trewins.

“This is a seat for life”, he added, “I have no intention of being a part time candidate or, if elected, a part time MP.

“If I were to be elected when we would either sell up or rent the house and move to Watford. I am here for life.”