A former Watford Labour councillor has slammed the party’s “misguided direction” as he announced he will run for its rivals.

Sohail Bashir, who represented the party from 2014 to 2021, will stand as the Liberal Democrat candidate for Vicarage Ward in May's local elections.

He put his decision down to both the Lib Dems' local record and the Labour Party’s “misguided direction”, including on Gaza, as he looks to begin campaigning over the weeks ahead.

The solicitor said: “I want to work with mayor Peter Taylor and the team to get the best for residents in Vicarage ward.

“The current councillors are neither active nor visible. They take West Watford residents for granted.”

Mr Bashir, who has lived in West Watford for more than 40-years, also criticised the Labour Party on the national level.

Watford Observer: Sohail Bashir with Watford mayor Peter Taylor and his fellow Watford Lib Dem candidates.Sohail Bashir with Watford mayor Peter Taylor and his fellow Watford Lib Dem candidates. (Image: Watford Lib Dems)

“I am appalled by Labour's continued refusal to back an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza to stop the killing and suffering of innocent civilians,” he said.

“The Liberal Democrats called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza very early on in the conflict, back in November 2023. They have consistently voted for a ceasefire in Parliament.”

Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Watford Ian Stotesbury said Mr Bashir served “diligently" as a Labour councillor while Watford Mayor Peter Taylor described him as a “first-rate councillor” who was respected for working hard for residents.

The town’s Labour party responded by backing current Vicarage Ward councillor, and its returning candidate for May’s elections, Sara-Jane Trebar.

Group leader councillor Nigel Bell said: “I am pleased that our hard working Vicarage Ward councillor, Sara-Jane Trebar, who has bags of local experience and a real track record of action in the area over many years, is standing again.

“She is dedicated to the community, well known, and works her socks off all year round.”

The next scheduled elections to be held in Watford are due on May 2 and will be for both Watford Borough Council and the Hertfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner.