There are different emotions across the political parties in Watford today after the results of the 2022 council elections were announced.

The Watford Liberal Democrats won the mayoral race again and increased its majority at Watford Borough Council after voters went to the polls on Thursday.

The Lib Dems are in celebratory mood after Peter Taylor picked up 12,895 votes, with Labour and Conservatives politicians in Watford left to ponder what both will see as disappointing results for their respective parties.

For Labour, the party saw its vote share in the mayoral race drop by eight per cent and also lost a seat on the council to the Lib Dems.

See more: Watford and Three Rivers 2022 council election full results

Labour candidate Asif Khan tweeted: "Thanks to everyone who supported me & the Labour team. Disappointingly came second but I'm grateful to all the candidates who ran for Labour. Congratulations to our candidates who won, commiserations to those didn't get in. We as @WatfordLabour will continue to serve our town."

Party leader Cllr Nigel Bell said: "Asif [Khan] fought a very good and clean campaign and worked very hard and got a lot of support. 

"We need to look at exact details of what happened in Callowland and Leggatts and analyse what the reasons were for the differences to last time. We would have liked to have seen a better set of results. The main thing is it is still a solid second and we build towards a general election."

Watford Observer: Watford Labour group leader Cllr Nigel Bell, left, and victorious Holywell ward councillor Matt Turmaine outside Watford ColosseumWatford Labour group leader Cllr Nigel Bell, left, and victorious Holywell ward councillor Matt Turmaine outside Watford Colosseum

Labour's election agent Laura Griffiths added: "In an ideal situation, it would have been better. As a whole borough, we’ve hit a stagnant point where there has been a little change. It just hasn’t quite gone our way in North Watford but it wasn’t through want of trying."

Conservative mayoral candidate Binita Mehta-Parmar came last but was not disheartened after she said her party's vote share in the mayoral race increased by two per cent from 2018.

She said: "I’m delighted, having stood as mayor for my hometown, to have gained ground against this national backdrop.

"We’ve seen a sorry six months of shameful scandal in Westminster but I also know our campaign has really connected with people. I just hope now we know Peter Taylor will be our mayor for the next four years, he has listened in this campaign and he has heard that overdevelopment is not favoured by his and our electorate and our town don’t want these towers."

Watford Observer: Watford Conservative mayoral candidate Binita Mehta-Parmar at Watford Colosseum where the count took placeWatford Conservative mayoral candidate Binita Mehta-Parmar at Watford Colosseum where the count took place

Mrs Mehta-Parmar described the mayoral election turnout of 33 per cent as "sad and "shocking" but accepted that some Tory voters had stayed at home.

After failing to win any seats on the council again, she added: "It's not the result we wanted but we gained ground in the mayoral election and that is a foundation to build on."

Victorious candidate Peter Taylor, who was also elected in 2018, said: "Thank you Watford for taking the time to come out and vote. It is such an honour to serve as the town’s mayor and I am so grateful to everyone who put their trust in me. I love this town and will do everything I can to make it an even better place for everyone."

He added: "I'm delighted to get over 50 per cent of the vote - it is testament to the hard work of the whole team and it is a privilege to get that level of support."

Watford Observer: Watford Liberal Democrats celebrate Peter Taylor's 2022 mayoral victory. Credit: Watford Lib DemsWatford Liberal Democrats celebrate Peter Taylor's 2022 mayoral victory. Credit: Watford Lib Dems

He said his three main priorities will be getting Watford General Hospital rebuilt, campaigning for a more "sensible" planning system in a bid to reduce the level of development in Watford, and tackling congestion in the town.

The Lib Dems described their victory in Callowland in particular as "big" as the party increased its number of councillors from 24 to 27.