THE race to become political leader of Watford has started, with the Green Party stealing a march on their opponents and announcing their candidate for mayor.

Mr Steve Rackett fired the opening shots in his campaign to become Watford's Ken Livingstone.

He criticised the town's present Labour administration for leaving people "alienated and disillusioned" and said the time had come for new blood and new ideas.

He said: "If people are happy with business as usual and the way things are they can vote for that. I'm offering an opportunity for real change."

His comments were aimed firmly at present Labour council leader Vince Muspratt and Liberal Democrat Dorothy Thornhill, both will fight the election in May but have not yet gone public.

Mr Rackett launched his campaign on Saturday, January 19 at Coral Reef fruit and veg in St Albans Road, north Watford.

Advocating "a fair deal for small retailers" he called for free bus services to local shopping areas, paid for by a tax on car parking spaces in the town centre.

He also said he would seek a reduction in business rates for small shops.

Mr Rackett, 37, said appalling traffic problems, poor public transport, housing costs and anti-environment planning decisions had to be addressed.

A vocal opponent of the park and ride scheme planned in Bushey to serve Watford town centre, he said people should be encouraged to shop in their communities rather than huge retail centres.

Mr Rackett accepted it would be a tough fight and conceded the chances of a Green becoming Watford's first powerful, directly elected mayor were slim.

But he pointed to the voting system as offering a real chance. Unlike national elections, each voter will be able to select two candidates in order of preference.

Mr Rackett said: "They can vote for Green as first choice and if I'm not successful, their vote will be transferred to the second preference.

"It's very important because a Green vote isn't a wasted vote."

Mr Rackett, of Bradshaw Road, is a press officer for two Greens on the European Parliament and freelance journalist.

He ran a music promotion business and has worked for the NSPCC and League Against Cruel Sports.

January 19, 2002 21:30