Watford Lib Dem Mayor Welcomes Government U-Turn on Local Elections

The Mayor of Watford has welcomed the Government’s decision to abandon plans to delay 30 council elections nationwide. While the change does not affect Watford – as the Borough Council did not request any cancellations – the Mayor said the U-turn is a victory for local democracy.

Lib Dem Mayor of Watford, Peter Taylor, said: “The government should never have tried to cancel local elections because they were worried about Labour losing so many council seats. Democracy is so important. Local residents have the right to decide who has the honour of serving them as councillors. 

I’ll be standing for election in May and it’s up to voters to decide whether or not I continue as Watford’s Mayor - fighting for better local services and to make this town a better place for everyone.”

Watford voters will go to the polls as scheduled on 7 May 2026.