Opinion, Watford Observer, 26 July 2026 July brings political change for Watford and the country | Watford Observer
July has been an important month politically for Watford, both nationally and locally.
Nationally, we now have a new prime minister.
We all wish him well as we need the country to be well-led, but it has started badly.
The government should be talking about how to grow the economy to create jobs and prosperity – the only effective way to alleviate poverty and "elevate the condition of the people," in the words of Disraeli.
However, Andy Burnham has already shown that he is simply obsessed with redistributing money away from work and businesses towards subsidies and handouts.
More palliative welfare payments are simply a burden on the economy and hard-
And they do nothing to reduce long-term poverty – we need a dynamic economy to do that.
What is worse is that, given the state of our public finances under Labour, these giveaways will also require more borrowing from our children and grandchildren.
The debts that are being run up will be a deadweight on the economy for a generation or more.
Locally, we now know that the two-tier system of Hertfordshire County Council and borough/district councils will be abolished in 2028 to be replaced by four unitary authorities.
The Watford Borough area will become part of a new South West Herts unitary authority along with neighbouring Three Rivers and Hertsmere councils.
There will be elections next year for a new shadow authority.
We now need to pull together to establish the new South West Herts council and defend the interests of local taxpayers.
There is, however, a risk that the new authority will be too remote from local concerns.
The local Conservative campaign to establish parish and town councils – as is the case in Three Rivers – to defend and promote our local communities is more urgent than ever.
Stephen Woodard
Chairman, Watford Conservatives
