The Liberal Democrats in Harpenden have been accused of breaking an election promise to residents, just months after the Local Elections.
In Harpenden West, their candidate pledged that “only a vote for the Liberal Democrats on 4 May is a vote to protect our local greenbelt”, securing a 67 vote majority over the Conservative candidate, former Town Councillor Matt Cowley (25).
But now, less than two months after the election, they are being accused of breaking that promise – after the District Council’s Local Plan preparation revealed that the Council plans to allow the building of more than 10,000 houses in local greenbelt, including nearly 1,600 houses in greenbelt around Harpenden.
Mr. Cowley, who was Chair of Harpenden Town Council’s Planning Committee from May 2021 until May 2023, says that those plans amount to a breach of their promises to residents.
Matt Cowley said,
“The Liberal Democrats made protecting the greenbelt their main campaign issue in Harpenden West. They told local residents that only a vote for them would mean that our local greenbelt is protected. Now that they have been returned without any real opposition on the Town and District Councils, they’ve abandoned that pledge and announced plans for thousands of houses on local greenbelt.
“Local people should be able to expect better from the people they elect to represent them. They should be able to expect that a politician who promises something to get elected will deliver that when they are successful. The Liberal Democrats were very clear – they were the Party who would protect the greenbelt – and all along they were planning to build thousands of houses on it.
“This isn’t about house building, it is about integrity. It is about politicians who will say anything to get your vote and then deliver the exact opposite. It is about trust in our politics.
“It also highlights what I said throughout the election campaign – that only with a strong opposition group on the Council can you ensure that the Liberal Democrats will deliver what they promise. In May 2024, I hope that voters will remember that and back a strong opposition who will ensure that the Liberal Democrats you get knocking on your door promising the world actually have to deliver what they sell you.”
