The Liberal Democrat mayor of Watford, Peter Taylor, has been “reminded of the rules” after his council email address was used to send a party-political email ahead of elections. Responding to an email from a resident about cuts to the 328 bus route between Watford and Northwood, the email pointed the finger at the Conservatives and suggested that the Liberal Democrats support better public transport in Hertfordshire.
The email included a link to a webpage listing the Lib Dem election candidates. Mr Taylor is himself seeking to become a county councillor, standing for election in Central Watford and Oxhey.
But an email from a senior council officer, seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, said that guidance for the pre-election period ahead of Hertfordshire County Council elections on May 1 “advises that council resources must not be used for election purposes”, including using council email addresses for this purpose.
They said it is “not permissible” for the mayor to “actively promote candidates” when responding to emails from his council email address. The officer added that they would speak to the mayor and “confirm” the rules about the pre-election period.
Mr Taylor said the incident was “a genuine mistake” and “won’t happen again”. He is facing criticism from the leader of the Labour group on Watford Borough Council, Cllr Nigel Bell.
Cllr Bell told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “Peter Taylor and his bloated coterie need to start obeying the rules instead of deliberately driving a coach and horses through them with actions wholly and calculatingly designed to give the Liberal Democrats party-political advantage.
“Using public money to promote him and his party is totally unacceptable at any time but even more egregious at election time. He should apologise for yet again abusing his position. I understand there has now been an official complaint made … he should face the consequences for his abuse of public money and his position.”
Mr Taylor was criticised in November last year after posters advertising his surgeries were put up around council-owned property with the Liberal Democrat logo on them. On that occasion, a council officer said Liberal Democrat members had been “advised” that communications relating to similar events should not be used for political purposes.
Covering Hertfordshire’s district and borough councils.
