THE Liberal Democrats have claimed a stunning victory in Watford's local elections.
They won 10 out of the 12 seats that were up for grabs, while the Labour vote all but disintegrated.
The Lib Dems snatched seats in Central, Hollywell, Meriden, Vicarage, and Tudor wards away from Labour who failed to get a single councillor elected.
The Conservatives held on to their stronghold of Nascot ward, but lost Park ward to the Lib Dems.
One of the night's big surprises was the triumph of Green Party candidate Steve Rackett who stormed to victory in Callowland ward.
Another surprise was the defeat of long-time Labour councillor Rashid Choudhrey, who lost to the Lib Dems' Shanaz Ali after serving Watford Council for 16 years.
Other well-known Labour faces to lose were councillors Norman Tyrwhtit, John Young and Nigel Bell.
Outspoken councillor Maria Green who defected from Labour to the Lib Dems was re-elected to her seat in Leggatts Ward.
The turnout was low with just over 32 per cent of the electorate in Watford casting their vote
The political make-up of Watford Council is now Liberal Democrat 21 seats, Labour eight seats, Conservative seven seats and Green Party one seat.
See the results at a glance at http://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/localelections/
May 6, 2003 16:00
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