A KEY policy of Labour mayoral candidate Vince Muspratt has been attacked by health campaigners as a betrayal of Watford residents.

Mrs Jean Brett, who heads the fight to save Harefield Hospital, said the Labour politician had abandoned local interests for the sake of political ambition.

Criticising his decision not to continue the campaign on behalf of the threatened heart hospital, she said: "He's so busy climbing the greasy pole, he's forgotten the people of Watford.

"The mayor is someone being paid £50,000 to fight for local residents, a people's champion.

"People's champion? What's the next joke?"

The comments are potentially damaging to the Labour campaign and were dismissed as unfair by a spokesman, who pointed out Councillor Muspratt had backed the hospital before closure was announced.

He said, with a decision made by the Government to move the hospital, it would be "irresponsible" of a mayor not to deal with the reality.

No other mention of the hospital is made in the Labour manifesto, or in that of any other political party.

Mrs Brett's comments were made on Tuesday, in response to one of the Labour politician's manifesto pledges.

A central promise is to lobby for Watford's elderly to be included in London's concessionary travel scheme.

This would give them free daytime use of buses, trains and the Underground when going into the capital.

Although it is a policy none of his rivals would contradict, in a press release he writes: "Increasingly, Watford residents need to travel to London for their health needs. For example, to Moorfields Eye Hospital.

"In the future, with heart services moving from Harefield to Paddington, our residents will need to travel on London's public transport to get treatment or to visit friends and relatives."

Mrs Brett backed the policy, but was highly critical of Harefield being used as a reason for it, particularly as campaigners are still opposed to the hospital moving.

She said: "Vince Muspratt should be fighting to save Harefield for our elderly people."

The health campaigner, who was critical of Watford's Labour MP Claire Ward during the General Election for not backing Harefield, said party members seemed afraid to fight for residents if it bucked Government policy.

The Conservatives have promised in their campaigning leaflets to fight for the hospital, a move which has been criticised as political opportunism by a opposition party with no real power to change policy.

Councillor Muspratt is the only candidate to offer the concessionary fares pledge.

He said it would be a "major improvement" in the quality of life for elderly and disabled.

He is also the keenest advocate of the mayoral power, and said the position would enable him to have influence on organisations, such as health and police authorities, he does not actually control.

It is this which makes him think negotiations with the Mayor of London Ken Livingstone over travel schemes will not simply be ignored.

April 11, 2002 18:00