Watford's Liberal Democrats have strengthened their borough council majority today in what has been labelled a “disappointing” result by Labour. 

The Lib Dems won 11 of the town’s 12 available wards - gaining Leggatts, Vicarage and Callowlands - while Labour lost three seats and the Conservatives still have none.

Watford mayor Peter Taylor said he was feeling “elated with the incredibly good results”, adding: “It is really positive and a huge vote of trust in what they’ve seen us do.”

A third of the councillor positions were up for grabs and the result means that the Lib Dems now occupy 31 of the 37 seats, including the mayor.

There was no change in eight areas as the party held Central Watford, Meriden, Nascot, Oxhey, Park, Stanborough Tudor and Woodside.

Watford Observer: Watford mayor Peter Taylor said he was feeling elated with the Liberal Democrat result.Watford mayor Peter Taylor said he was feeling elated with the Liberal Democrat result. (Image: Newsquest)

Mr Taylor added: “We don’t take any votes for granted and work really hard across the year, this is our best ever set of results.

“To gain three seats from Labour when across the country they’ve been gaining seats just shows the strength of the Democrat team.”

Watford Labour group leader Nigel Bell kept his seat in the Holywell ward by a considerable margin, but said it was a “disappointing” overall result for the local party.

Watford Observer: Watford Labour leader Nigel Bell said kept his Holywell seat but said it was a sad result overall.Watford Labour leader Nigel Bell said kept his Holywell seat but said it was a sad result overall. (Image: Newsquest)“It’s certainly very sad for candidates like Sara Jane and Dennis who have been fantastic as councillors for Watford,” Mr Bell said.

He thought that Labour's position over the war in Gaza had affected their vote, as they had seen "backlashes here and in other areas of the country" such as in Oldham, but otherwise said they had "fought a good campaign".

Despite the local losses, he felt “confident” for Labour’s chances at a potential general election this year, adding: “When you get a change of government, that’s when you get things done.”

New Lib Dem councillor for Leggatts Sham Begum said she was “really pleased” to be one of three candidates who wrestled a seat off Labour.

Watford Observer: Newly-elected Leggatts cllr Sham Begum with mayor Peter Taylor, cllr Ian Stotesbury and cllr Shafiq Ahmed.Newly-elected Leggatts cllr Sham Begum with mayor Peter Taylor, cllr Ian Stotesbury and cllr Shafiq Ahmed. (Image: Cllr Sham Begum)

“For all of us it’s just been an amazing result that wouldn’t have happened without the support of the community over the last couple of weeks,” said the Watford mum of two. 

The councillor thought the party’s presence on the street could have meant voters had swung towards the Lib Dems at this election.

“For me, one of the biggest things for us is that we’re visible,” Cllr Begum said. “We’re out and about, we listen to people and we get things done."

Watford Observer: The Liberal Democrats are celebrating a successful set of local election results.The Liberal Democrats are celebrating a successful set of local election results. (Image: Watford Liberal Democrats)

Despite Watford having a Tory MP, the Conservatives again failed to win any seats on the borough council, although they did receive more votes than Labour in the Nascot, Stanborough and Park wards.

Watford Conservatives deputy chair for political campaigning, Peter Williams, said: “We had hoped to regain a council seat this year to finally give a much needed voice in the town against the Lib Dem council’s harmful policies – Hertfordshire’s highest rate of council tax, 28-storey ‘Taylor’s Towers’, and the anti-car drive happening across our town. 

Watford Observer: Conservatives Deputy Chair Peter William said they had wanted to give a much needed voice to Watford residents.Conservatives Deputy Chair Peter William said they had wanted to give a much needed voice to Watford residents. (Image: Peter Williams)

“Though we didn’t achieve that this year, we did see increased numbers of people voting for us, and it was most notable that Labour lost three seats, showing that voters are not convinced by Keir Starmer’s Labour Party. 

"We are proud of our local candidates and would like to thank them and all the activists and Conservative voters who supported us in the local election.”

When asked why the area had a Conservative MP but no elected councillors, Mr Williams said Watford Tory voters had got into the habit of voting Lib Dem at local elections due to their"powerful campaigning machine", which he saw as covering up the council's "increasing number of key mistakes".

Watford MP Dean Russell said: "I would like to thank our local Conservative candidates and activists who I know worked hard and had good engagements on the doorstep talking to residents.

"Whilst I would have liked much-needed Conservative representation on Watford Borough Council, it wasn't to be on this occasion.

"But I know that our candidates will keep working on the issues and concerns about Watford Council’s policies and decisions which were raised with them during their discussions on the doorstep."