As May 4 and the Welwyn Hatfield elections loom, who should you be voting for?

We let Labour, the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats and the Green Party tell you why they should be getting your vote next month.

Conservatives

A spokesman for Welwyn Hatfield Conservatives said: "Conservatives have balanced the council’s books, despite the pressure brought on by the cost of living crisis and the international pressures which have caused it.

"Council tax and some service charges are going up, but these rises are no different to those made by Labour or Lib Dem-run councils in Hertfordshire.   

"Conservatives have invested in town centre upgrades, like the improved landscaping on Stonehills in Welwyn Garden City town centre and the One Town Centre development in Hatfield.

"Conservatives have taken a sensible approach to housebuilding by balancing the need for new homes with the importance of protecting the Green Belt – we reduced the density of building on the two main Broadwater Road sites in WGC by 30 per cent.

"These are just a few ways you’ve benefitted from a Conservative-run council. But what’s the alternative?   

They won’t tell you in their election leaflets, but because neither Labour nor the Lib Dems can get enough councillors to run the council on their own, the only alternative to a Conservative-run council is a nightmarish coalition of both Labour and the Lib Dems.

"They had the opportunity to do this only four years ago, but because both parties were more interested in jostling for the best positions than in actually running the council, they couldn’t come to an agreement.

"It was left to us Conservatives to salvage the situation and take the reins.  

"Your vote this year boils down to a simple question.

"If Labour and the Lib Dems couldn’t even agree on something as simple as how to run the council together, how could you trust a nightmare coalition such as this to spend your council tax and run your services properly?  

"Vote Conservative on May 4, and we pledge to continue putting people before politics."

Green Party

This year, the Green Party will have a candidate running in every ward, with Welwyn Hatfield co-chair and candidate for Welwyn West, Sarah Butcher saying: "For the first time ever, every person eligible to vote in Welwyn Hatfield has a choice for a fairer, greener community by voting for a Green Party candidate.

"We are concerned, however, that the requirement to have voter ID may have a negative impact on our democratic rights and even fewer people will vote than before."

"Adrian Ramsay, co-leader of the Green Party added: "There’s a clear sense on doorsteps around the country that people are disillusioned with the Conservatives and uninspired by Labour, and looking for an alternative. 

"Local elections should be about choosing the candidate who can best serve the needs and wishes of their community. Let the Greens be your choice in Welwyn Hatfield on May 4."

Labour

Lynn Chesterman, leader of the Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council Labour Group said: "A vote for Labour on May 4, is a vote for change in our community.

"The Conservatives have run Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council for more than 20 years. They are out of ideas and are making all of us pay more for less.

"Our local services are going backwards, but our bills are going up. This year they have increased council tax for everyone, the cost of brown bins has gone up by 20 per cent, and parking permits up by 33 per cent.

"A Labour council will stand up for our community and make very different choices. We have set out five priorities for a Labour council.

"Sustainable house building, supported by the right infrastructure. A major shift in the tenure of homes we approve, prioritising much needed council and social homes. We also want to see development split evenly across the borough.

"Oppose Conservative cuts to local transport. Labour is leading the charge in Welwyn Garden City to preserve the vital 403 bus, which links large sections of our town to the QE2 Urgent Care Centre.

"Preserve our green spaces, to allow wildlife to thrive and make sure everyone is able to benefit from them.

"It is time to tackle fly tipping and improve waste collection. Labour would implement a quick response team with the purpose of tackling fly-tipping across the borough and enforce fines on those who fly tip.

"Our high streets next extra help. Labour would introduce free parking in Hatfield and WGC town centres on small business days.

"Labour is the only party strong enough to win in all parts of the borough. We made three gains directly from the Conservatives last year and if we do that again, we will see change. Please vote for change on May 4. Vote Labour."

Liberal Democrats

Paul Zukowskyj, councillor for Welham Green and Hatfield South, said: "Our council has been controlled by the Conservatives for more 20 years, and it shows.

"It’s become a 'can’t do' organisation, led by a party that, locally as well as nationally, has run out of ideas.

"After the sewage in our rivers, the NHS in permanent crisis, partygate and soaring inflation and cost of living, all that the Conservatives have left nationally are scare tactics and the politics of fear.

"Locally the Conservatives are no different. Their recent leaflets are all about scaring voters, trying to create fear of the future. There is simply no vision, no ideas, no plan from them at all.

"We call on voters to reject their fear and embrace a real vision for a better Welwyn Hatfield.

"A vote for the Lib Dems here means voting for a candidate that will really stand up for the people and for the area that they represent.

"A vote for the Lib Dems is a vote for better recycling, improved action on fly tipping, a council that puts housing safety and maintenance first, that champions the protection of our environment and takes climate change seriously.

"We will also focus on our towns. We have been calling for a town centre manager for years, and the Conservatives have blindly ignored this and the real problems facing our towns.

"Our council needs to become a 'can do' organisation. It won’t without a change from the stale, fearmongering and backward looking Conservatives.

"Voting Lib Dem in the coming elections is a vote to change our council and our borough for the better."