Richard Harrington

On Monday, Watford residents were given the chance to let MPs know what they think. More than thirty Conservative MPs came to Watford to listen to local people’s concerns.
The group of parliamentarians walked the streets of our town, knocking on doors to engage with local people on the issues that matter to Watford residents. Amongst the group were Question Time regulars such as Dominic Grieve, (Shadow Secretary of State for Justice), Greg Clark (Shadow Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change), and Andrew Mitchell (Shadow Secretary of State for …

Richard Harrington has hit back at Labour’s disgraceful lies, which incorrectly claim that if the Conservatives are elected they will close Watford General. This is simply not true. Cameron’s Health Chief, Andrew Lansley, after his visit to the Hospital confirmed to the Watford Observer that Watford is the best place for the Acute Admissions Unit and that the Hospital is safe in Conservative hands. Even the Chief Executive of the NHS, Sir David Nicholson has said that Watford’s Acute Admissions Unit will be safe under the Conservatives, again reported in …

On Tuesday 23rd February at 7.30 pm I will be holding the latest in my pioneering series of public meetings, this time at Watford Girls School. These meetings give everybody the chance to come and ask me anything they want. All are welcome, supporters and opposition alike, to quiz me on any subject they feel strongly about.
If I am elected to be MP for Watford I will continue these meetings so that constituents can question my decisions, expenses and voting record. I feel it is important for politicians to hear local …

Last night I hosted a reception to celebrate one year of campaigning here in Watford. I wanted a chance to mark all the achievements we have made and to thank everybody who has given up their time to help.
The event was a great success with over 200 people attending. David Gauke MP  gave a great speech on National Conservative policies and on how important it is that Watford turns Conservative if the country wants David Cameron to replace Gordon Brown.
We have achieved a great deal in the last 12 months …

In response to the devastating earthquake that hit Haiti earlier this week I am encouraging people to donate to the Disaster Emergency Committee appeal.
The magnitude of the destruction that has hit Haiti is almost indescribable. Even though this disaster is over 4,000 miles away, we can still help from here in Watford.
Therefore I urge people to donate to the Disasters Emergency Committee appeal, which will raise money for leading British NGOs to carry out their vital emergency aid work. The priority now is to get the essentials of clean water, …

Today the Election Campaign began in earnest with launch of our manifesto for the NHS. Click here to read the manifesto in full.
The manifesto promises real change for the future of the NHS, listening to patients needs and putting them in the driving seat. The manifesto shows that the future of the NHS is safe in Conservative hands.
To learn more about this story and how the Conservatives are supporting the NHS in Watford please click here.

I, like many others, am so pleased to hear the news that Watford FC has been saved from the perils of administration. The club is so important to the people of Watford and this news is a great weight lifted off their shoulders.
I would have been gutted if the club had fallen into administration and am delighted that a suitable solution has been reached. I am pleased that those involved have listened to the fans and given the club the support it deserves.

On Wednesday I joined the Watford African Caribbean Association for lunch at the Holywell Community Centre. I have previously met with the manager but this was the first time I had met with so many of the members.
Over a delicious lunch I spoke to some of the people who use this service twice a week  and they told me how much they enjoyed it and how invaluable it to them to be able to get out and socialise every week.
I was very interested to learn about the problems and concerns they face as well …

In the last week we have seen some rather ugly truths laid bare.
First we saw in the Pre-Budget Report (PBR) a Chancellor proving himself to be the King of Wishful Thinking. His plan for tackling the budget deficit is to simply close our eyes and wish ourselves out of it.  Darling’s entire plan for deficit reduction rests on wild growth forecasts to deliver the tax revenue needed to plug the black hole in our country’s finances. Unfortunately, these forecasts go against what any expert predicts. Darling says the economy will …

I have just returned from visiting Watford General Hospital with  Andrew Lansley, the Shadow Secretary of State for Health, and Hertsmere MP James Clappison.
I am very happy to say once more the future of the Watford Health Campus, and indeed the NHS, is safest in Conservative hands.
The wonderfully helpful staff met with us to discuss further the plans for the hospital and the health campus and then took us on an interesting tour of the Acute Admissions Unit.
On the tour,  Andrew gave his backing to the  AAU saying that it …