The Liberal Democrats have selected borough councillor Ian Stotesbury as their general election candidate for Watford.

The news comes on the back of a record set of local election results for the Lib Dems, which saw the party make huge gains throughout Hertfordshire and across England, winning control of neighbouring Dacorum Council, gaining 6 seats in Bushey and maintaining control of Watford and Three Rivers district councils. 

The Liberal Democrats continue to be the party raising the big issues for Watford – the rezoning our stations, real investment in our police, investment from the Conservative-run county council in pothole-filled roads and local infrastructure and crucially calling on the government to finally deliver on multiple promises of investment in Watford General Hospital. The party already holds the neighbouring parliamentary seats of Chesham and Amersham and St. Albans.

Ian Stotesbury has been a Watford councillor since 2018, and leads the Sustainability and Transport portfolio. He is well known for leading Watford's environmental strategy, including the decarbonisation of the Town Hall, fighting to improve air quality and securing commitments from the county council to invest in bus and cycling improvements around the town, as well as working with residents and businesses to help Watford respond and adapt to climate change.

The leader of the Liberal Democrats, Ed Davey MP said:

“It is clear that Watford Liberal Democrats represent Watford and Three Rivers brilliantly, all year round! I want to see Ian elected so Watford will finally have a worthy voice in Parliament, rather than the local MP who takes residents for granted. I’ve heard first-hand in Watford that people are fed up of this failing Government and want a hardworking, principled and accountable MP.”

Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Watford, Ian Stotesbury said:

“It's a real honour to have been selected as the Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Watford at such an important time in politics. The Conservative Government is doing so much damage to our economy and society. We need an MP who listens to residents, and who is plugged into the town and local communities.

“Working with our fantastic council and Mayor Peter Taylor, I will provide strong local leadership for Watford. I’ll stand up for our local health services, which have been neglected by the Government despite an enormous amount of work to make sure the hospital site is ready to go. The Conservative Government is out of touch - failing in integrity and failing on the cost-of-living crisis, on the climate and ecological crises, all while dreadfully mismanaging our economy at home and abroad.”

Ian lives in North Watford with his wife and holds master's degrees in astrophysics and in astronautics and space engineering. He is currently working in the UK space industry. Ian was elected in 2018 in Callowland ward and re-elected in 2022 with over 50% of the vote, almost doubling his majority.