 West Watford Councillor, Nigel Bell,
has been selected by Labour to challenge the Liberal Democrat
Mayor, Dorothy Thornhill in the Mayoral and local elections on 6th
May. Nigel, who was last elected in May 2009 with a 14% swing, will
be a popular choice amongst voters. He received congratulations
last year from the Prime Minister for securing the biggest swing to
a Labour of any candidate in the UK.
Nigel said:
“It is a great honour to be selected to stand in this election. I
have always served people of all political persuasions and I would
work to build consensus to revitalise our town."
Claire Ward, Watford’s MP said:“Nigel will present a real challenge
to the Liberal Democrats who now look tired and out of touch.
Voters trust him. Many who are not even Labour supporters vote for
him because he is hard working, honest and gets things
done.”
Nigel has put together six key pledges* to Watford people upon
which he will fight the election to be Mayor.
Nigel for Mayor
Six Pledges for the
People of Watford
1-Transparency about how YOUR money is
spent
I pledge that as Mayor
I will be more open and transparent than the current Mayor about
the money that the Council spends on your behalf.
For
example, you as Council Tax payers have a right to know exactly how
much of your money has been spent on expensive consultants and for
what benefit? The present Mayor and her Administration plan to
spend £27million in the next 5 years in the town centre but deals
are being done behind closed doors -Watford residents have a right
to some straight answers. You need to feel confident that the money
will be spent to bring long-term improvements to our Town.
2.-I would
take a lower saIary
I do not think an elected
Mayor for such a small district Council like Watford can justify a
combined salary of £
72,000. We have a Managing Director and other highly
rewarded senior managers to run the Council. I would not take such
a high salary at a time when so many Watford people are finding it
difficult to make ends meet during this world-wide economic
downturn. Other elected Mayors around the Country get by on far
smaller salaries than the current Mayor pays herself..
3-Cross-political consensus to
revitalise the town.
As your Mayor I think it
vital for the future of our town to seek consensus and cooperation
amongst all political parties, especially when we are just
beginning to come out of the recession.
I would
have no hesitation in inviting my main opponents to join the
Cabinet and I would also ask the leading business and union
representatives to join as associate or advisory members.
Revitalising the town's
infrastructure is key and I would not act as if only I and my party
had all the answers.
4- A better
deal for the elderly
I know that being able to get around on
public transport is vital to the quality of life of Watford’s
senior citizens. As your Mayor I would enter into negotiations with
the Mayor of London and rail operators to obtain discounted travel
for the over 60’s to and from London and on the London Midland
line. I would also bring in free swimming for Watford’s elderly and
young, taking advantage of grants available from central
government.
5-Protecting Watford’s heritage
– Keep the Pond – Rebuild the gates.
We all know the tragic story of the beautiful
Cassiobury Park gates and their demolition by a previous Tory
administration at the end of the 1960’s -I want to make sure that
our historic town centre pond is not reduced to a small water
feature, as our present Mayor is planning. I assure you that as
Mayor I will under no circumstances sanction the removal of our
"historic" pond. I would bring together a wide range of people to
see if a consensus exists to re-build our park gates as a fitting
entrance to our glorious park.
6- No false promises – I will
always be honest with you.
Unlike the current Mayor who was elected
in 2002 on a promise to reduce Watford’s Council Tax to the
Hertfordshire average – and failed, I will not make false promises
to get elected. I will ensure you get ‘value for money’ from your
Council Tax and that services are not compromised. Watford had a
proud tradition of having some of the best services in the County.
You could always tell where the Borough boundary was in snowy
weather as Watford’s roads and pavements were gritted when other
Councils didn’t bother. As Mayor, my priority would be to bring
back quality to Watford’s services.
Nigel
Bell
14th February 2010
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